FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 7, 2007
TO CELEBRATE COLTS SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
SHOW AND FREE CONCERT TO INCLUDE PERFORMANCES FROM
JOHN MELLENCAMP, FAITH HILL,
KELLY CLARKSON AND HINDER
NBC/NFL Network Special On Sept. 6, 8-8:30 p.m. ET
Precedes NFL Kickoff Game 2007:
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS vs. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The NFL begins to answer Who Wants It More as it starts its 88th season with a monumental celebration in its special pregame show, "NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2007 PRESENTED BY SPRINT," -- 8:00 PM ET Thursday, Sept. 6. Indiana legend JOHN MELLENCAMP, FAITH HILL and KELLY CLARKSON are scheduled to perform.
There will be simulcast coverage of the 30-minute pregame show which will air from 8-8:30 PM ET on NBC and NFL Network. The live pregame broadcast will also be available via Sprint's wireless service to Power Vision pack subscribers with multimedia enabled phones.
The performances are part of the celebration to kick off the 2007 season and to honor the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts and the city of Indianapolis.
The show leads into the season opener between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints at the RCA Dome (NBC, Westwood One Radio Sports, 8:30 PM ET).
JOHN MELLENCAMP will perform from the RCA Dome. FAITH HILL and KELLY CLARKSON will ignite Indianapolis during a free concert open to the public at Monument Circle. HINDER will also perform. More concert details will be announced shortly.
This is the fourth consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.
NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2007 is an NFL NETWORK PRODUCTION and will be executive produced and directed by WHITE CHERRY ENTERTAINMENT and DON MISCHER PRODUCTIONS, the producers of the Super Bowl pregame and halftime shows.
In addition to presenting sponsor Sprint, top tier sponsors for the NFL's kickoff platform include Coors Light, Diet Pepsi MAX, EA Sports and GMC.
| NFL Kickoff 2007 top-tier sponsors | ||||
 |  |  |  |  |
| History of NFL Opening Kickoff events | ||||
| Date | Location | Network | Talent | Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5, 2002 | Times Square, New York | CBS, MTV, VH1 and ESPN | Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesias, Alicia Keys, Eve, Cast of Broadway musical Rent with Joey Fatone of NSYNC | San Francisco at N.Y. Giants (ESPN) |
| Sept. 4, 2003 | The National Mall, Washington D.C. | ABC | Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Britney Spears, Good Charlotte | N.Y. Jets at Washington (ESPN) |
| Sept. 9, 2004 | Gillette Stadium, New England/Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville | ABC | Boston Pops, Mary J. Blige, Destiny's Child, Elton John, Toby Keith, Lenny Kravitz (NE); Jessica Simpson (JAC) | Indianapolis at New England (ABC) |
| Sept. 8, 2005 | Gillette Stadium, New England/Los Angeles Coliseum, L.A./Detroit | ABC | Green Day, Santana, Michelle Branch, Ozzy Osbourne, Trisha Yearwood (NE); Kanye West, Maroon 5, Good Charlotte, Rihanna (L.A.); Rolling Stones (taped from Detroit) | Oakland at New England (ABC) |
| Sept. 7, 2006 | Heinz Field, Pittsburgh/Miami | NBC | Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride (PIT); Diddy, Cassie, Yung Joc, Tego Calderon (Miami) | Miami at Pittsburgh (NBC) |
| Sept. 6, 2007 | RCA Dome, Indianapolis | NBC, NFLN | John Mellencamp, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Hinder | New Orleans at Indianapolis (NBC) |
