KONAMI SPONSORS K-1 USA MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CIRCUIT

SPONSORSHIP DEAL DELIVERS EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE AT K-1 EVENTS FOR KONAMI'S UPCOMING K-1 WORLD GRAND PRIX VIDEOGAME

REDWOOD CITY, CALIF. - April 29, 2003 - Leading videogame publisher Konami of America Inc., a subsidiary of Konami Corporation (NYSE: KNM), has inked a comprehensive deal with K-1 USA that will designate Konami the exclusive videogame sponsor of the popular mixed martial arts circuit in North America. Through the agreement, Konami and its upcoming PlayStation® 2 videogame, K-1 World Grand Prix, will receive extensive exposure at K-1 USA's marquee competitions including the K-1 USA Elimination (May 2, The Mirage, Las Vegas) and K-1 USA Semi-Finals (August 15, Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas). K-1 World Grand Prix is scheduled to ship on July 8, 2003.

A growing combat sport that has taken Japan by storm, K-1 brings together the toughest practitioners of various martial arts to create the world's most challenging fighting competition. This July, players can step into the virtual ring with Konami's new videogame, K-1 World Grand Prix - the most realistic recreation of the sport ever, with stunning true-to-life graphics and realistic fighting styles of over 20 real-life fighters.

Konami and K-1 World Grand Prix will have a significant presence at all live K-1 USA events. The Konami logo will be prominently featured on the ring canvas, fighters' gloves, event countdown clocks, arena banners and even on the event's championship trophy. Konami will also be displayed on all event advertising, including more than 75,000 posters that will be distributed to martial arts schools nationwide and pay-per-view martial arts fans. Additionally, attendees of the K-1 events will have the opportunity to sample the videogame during all North American events. K-1 World Grand Prix booths will be set up at each venue, enabling players to experience the game first-hand.

Konami will garner major television exposure during the K-1 pay-per-view events carried by DirecTV, iN DEMAND, Dish Network and TVN. ESPN will produce six half-hour K-1 programs (each to be replayed numerous times) that will feature Konami billboards book-ending each telecast. Konami will also receive two 30-second advertising spots for K-1 World Grand Prix during the first two airings of each program, totaling 24 national promotional spots. Throughout these airings, the Konami logo will accompany "on-air scorecards" and countdown clocks.

Additional cross-promotional opportunities in the deal include videogame footage on K-1 promotional DVDs, a link to the Konami web site on the K-1 web site (www.k-1usa.net) and opportunities for future promotions with other licensees.

About KONAMI CORPORATION

Konami Corporation is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. Konami Corporation's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, Dance Dance Revolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami of America, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation, the parent company of Konami of America, Inc., is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products distributed by Konami of America, Inc. can be found at www.konami.com/usa .

Share | Digg This | Glink It

---