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Major League Soccer and Partners Encourage Fans to Be Designated Drivers at 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game

"Responsibility Has Its Rewards" is an important message communicated at the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game. Soccer fans are reminded to demonstrate positive fan behavior, drink responsibly and choose a designated driver.

"One of Major League Soccer's top priorities is the safety of our fans, and our partnership with TEAM Coalition is an excellent program that provides a positive message," said MLS senior director of Operations Evan Dabby. "We're pleased to work with TEAM Coalition and Budweiser to promote responsible fan behavior."

For the sixth consecutive All-Star Game, TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) Coalition partnered with MLS and Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch on this effort.

At the pre-game soccer celebration, hundreds of fans pledged to be responsible, by promising to buckle up every trip, every time, to always have a designated driver and to never drive drunk. Those that pledged received a souvenir photo that features campaign messages, partner logos and All-Star images on the photo border.

In addition, the New England Revolution "Designated Driver for the Season," Teresa Wojnowski, attended the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game as the winner of the 2010 "Responsibility Has Its Rewards" sweepstakes for designated drivers.

"The success of the 'Responsibility Has Its Rewards' campaign with MLS is a direct result of the commitment from the league, the Clubs and all the campaign partners," said Jill Pepper, executive director of TEAM Coalition. "Teamwork is what this campaign is about. We are demonstrating that when everyone -- including the fans -- takes responsibility, everyone wins."

TEAM Coalition -- an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, the beer industry, broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts, and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports facilities -- coordinated "Responsibility Has Its Rewards," a league-wide promotion with Major League Soccer in support of existing designated-driver programs sponsored by concessionaires and brewers.

"'Responsibility Has Its Rewards' complements Budweiser's season-long 'Good Sport' program, which brings together stadium operators, team owners and concessionaires to promote positive fan behavior through responsible drinking and the use of designated drivers," said Kathy Casso, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Anheuser-Busch. "We're pleased to work with Major League Soccer, TEAM and the other program partners to remind fans to make a designated driver part of their game plan. After all, these are our roads, and we have a collective responsibility to keep them safe."

Anheuser-Busch's Good Sport program promotes responsible fan behavior at sporting venues nationwide and rewards fans who volunteer to be designated drivers for their families and friends.

TEAM Coalition members and supporters include Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, the National Football League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, ARAMARK, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Ovations Food Services, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, Contemporary Services Corporation, Elite Show Services, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.