"Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge" Enters Third Year, $335,000 to be Raised as Top NCAA Basketball Coaches Go Head-to-Head for Local Charities

- Fans Again Select Winners in Regional Match-ups with the Winning Coach's Designated Charity Earning $100,000 Donation From Infiniti -

FRANKLIN, TN--Jan. 15, 2013: Infiniti today announced that it will once again partner with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the NCAA and ESPN as the sponsor of the "Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge." Now in its third year, Infiniti, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, will make a $100,000 donation to the winning coach's designated charity. The program, expanded last year, pits 48 NABC coaches from the nation's top NCAA Division I men's basketball programs in a fan-vote challenge, with the total Infiniti contribution of $335,000.

Fan participation will determine the ultimate winner over an eight-week period beginning January 14 by registering and voting on a custom microsite on www.ESPN.com/Infiniti. For the first six weeks, four brackets of 12 coaches will be paired against each other, with the winners from each group moving onto the next round in week seven and the final round in week eight. Fans can vote for one coach per region per day. The winning coach will be announced March 11, 2013.

Among the participating coaches, and their charities are: Mike Krzyzewski, Duke, Emily Krzyzewski Center; John Beilein, Michigan, The St. Louis Center; Sean Miller, Arizona, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Southern Arizona; and Bill Self, Kansas, Assists Foundation. All 48 coaches' charities are guaranteed at least $5,000 from Infiniti.

"Last season, Infiniti was pleased to present Ohio State University men's basketball coach Thad Matta a $100,000 check for his charity, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, for winning the annual "Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge," said Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. "We know Coach Matta will plan on defending his title, but the 47 other coaches and their fans are going to put up a great fight."

"College basketball coaches across America contribute in so many ways throughout the year for numerous national and local charitable organizations as well as community projects and initiatives," said Jim Haney, executive director of the NABC. "The Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge enables college basketball fans to team with these outstanding coaches in providing significant financial support and awareness for so many worthy programs."

The Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge will be promoted each week through a wide range of media, including the ESPN Game of the Week, Facebook and other social media.

ESPN's promotions kicks off with four new integrated content pieces on ESPN.com/Infiniti. Voiced over by Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, the pieces  feature a who's who of top-level college coaches, including Roy Williams (UNC), Mark Gottfried (North Carolina State), Tubby Smith (Minnesota), Tom Crean (Indiana), Brad Stevens (Butler), Matt Painter (Purdue), Bob Huggins (West Virginia) and Ron Hunter (Georgia State). The first piece premieres today during the Tennessee vs. Kentucky game beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, and will run during approximately 14 college hoops games on ESPN this season from now through early March. Each offers a humorous take on how great coaches can still struggle with things like fundraising. The pieces -- available online at Infiniti's YouTube channel -- shows the coaches selling cookies, hosting a car wash, running a marathon and playing a round of golf together. ESPN CreativeWorks collaborated with creative agency TBA\Chiat\Day New York for the pieces.

"Infiniti is proud to once again support NCAA Division I men's basketball and the NABC and their outstanding efforts in raising funds and support for their designated charities," added Poore. "We're also looking forward to joining fans across the nation for a great season of outstanding competition on the courts."