For Immediate Release:
September 4, 2009

For more information, contact:
Francine Patella Ryan
ESL Public Affairs Manager
fpatella@esl.org
585.336.1089 or 585.261.6220 (cell)

ESL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION NAMED AS OFFICIAL LOCAL SPONSOR OF PUBLIC TELEVISION SERIES "MINOR LEAGUE"

Local Credit Union Supports Television Series That Will Feature 2009 Rochester Red Wings

Rochester, New York - There's nothing "minor" about it. ESL Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce that it is the official local sponsor of the Public Television Series "Minor League," a 13-episode reality show featuring the Rochester Red Wings, the oldest Minor League Team in all of professional sports. The series, scheduled to debut on PBS March 2010, is a production of Campbell Media Group, in association with WXXI Public Broadcasting. The announcement was made today at Frontier Field.

The series will not only provide the viewer with an historical perspective of the Rochester Red Wings but will bring the viewer inside the clubhouse to see the everyday demands players face when performing on and off the diamond. The audience will learn about the physical and mental challenges confronted by players and coaches, the aspirations of players for promotions to the Major Leagues, and players' lives outside the ballpark.

Taping of the series was conducted throughout the 2009 Red Wings season. The series will be available to approximately 385 public television stations across the country. Several of these affiliates, which are considered border stations, will reach into every major Canadian market as well. Each series episode will air for 60 minutes. The series will be narrated by CBS 48 Hours correspondent Erin Moriarty.

"ESL is pleased to support this series, which will showcase throughout the world our ball team and our home town," said David L. Fiedler, ESL's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The Rochester Red Wings are an integral component of our community and are a shining example of what makes the Rochester area such a great place to live and work. We are excited that ESL is able to play a role."

"We are honored that ESL has taken a leadership role, locally, to support this exciting television series about the Red Wings and minor league baseball in America. Because of ESL's support, millions of people will be learn many things about the Finger Lakes region - as much of the filming has taken place throughout the area, outside of the ballpark. The power of national television exposure cannot be understated - and can do only good things for our community" said John Campbell, President, Campbell Media Group.

"ESL has been an incredible partner with the Red Wings for many years and we are very excited to be working with them on this project that will provide international exposure for our team and our community" said Dan Mason, General Manager, Rochester Red Wings.

Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $3.6 billion in assets. ESL employs more than 600 people locally and has more than 292,000 members world-wide. Access to the credit union includes 18 branch locations and more than 40 ATM locations, a Tele-Banking Center, and Internet and online banking channels. The company is headquartered at 100 Kings Highway South in Rochester and can be found on the Internet at esl.org.

 

Dan Mason, general manager, Rochester Red Wings; David Fiedler, President/CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union; and John Campbell, president and producer, Campbell Media Group (l-r), pose outside of Frontier Field during the press conference on Friday, Sept. 4, announcing ESL's local sponsorship of the public television series "Minor League".