2K Sports Signs NHL All-Star Rick Nash of Columbus Blue Jackets to be Cover Athlete for NHL 2K9

May 15, 2008

2K Sports Signs NHL All-Star Rick Nash of
Columbus Blue Jackets to be Cover Athlete for NHL 2K9

Visual Concepts to bring the fun and
excitement back to hockey video games

Millions of hockey fans continue to enjoy intense
Stanley Cup Playoffs action, but it’s never too early to start looking forward
to next year’s NHL season. 2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two
Interactive Software, Inc. today announced that three-time NHL All-Star and
captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Rick Nash, will be featured as the cover
athlete and spokesman for this year’s highly anticipated hockey video game, NHL
2K9. Visual Concepts has taken over the development duties for NHL 2K9 and are
building a brand new experience from the ground up with the ultimate goal of
creating an addictively fun sport simulation of the NHL that will be available
this fall.

“I’ve been a longtime fan of the hockey games
from 2K Sports. My idols have all been on the covers of video games as I was
growing up, so to be on the cover of NHL 2K9 myself is truly incredible,” said
Nash, who scored an impressive three goals in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game. “The
set of new features they’re adding is really going to make this game special for
hockey fans – I’m hoping they give me a couple extra points to my player rating
this year!”

Nash was selected first overall in the 2002 NHL
Draft and is one of the most exciting and dynamic young players in the NHL. In
only his second season, at the age of 19, Nash became the youngest player in NHL
history to win the “Rocket” Richard Trophy by co-leading the League with 41
goals scored. Now an established superstar in the NHL, Nash was also a member of
Team Canada at the 2006 Olympics, and was named MVP of the 2007 World
Championships. His deep level of involvement and work with Visual Concepts,
alongside his background as an experienced gamer, provides an invaluable
contribution and influence to the overall development process for creating the
most fun hockey experience available.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Rick Nash be
part of the 2K Sports family,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Nash
is one of the marquee names in the NHL today. He is a true gamer and there is no
player more fitting to represent NHL 2K9 as we bring high quality fun to hockey
video games for another year.”

NHL 2K9 is being developed by Visual Concepts, a
2K Sports studio, and is not yet rated by the ESRB. NHL 2K9 will be available
this fall for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, and PlayStation 2. For more information,
please visit www.2ksports.com.