Press Releases

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING Star Ric Flair® to Attend WWE Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony

Flair Confirms He Will be Present in Miami When the Four Horsemen Receive Their Hall of Fame Honor

CHARLOTTE, NC – (March 27, 2012) International celebrity the Nature Boy® Ric Flair is set to become the only wrestler in history to be inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame twice. Flair’s dominant 1980s wrestling group, the Four Horsemen, known to be the greatest in ring performers of all time, will be granted their seat in the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Miami, FL on March 31st, the day before Wrestlemania XXVIII. Flair will be inducted along-side fellow members of the Four Horsemen: Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, and J.J. Dillon.

The news of Flair’s second induction was followed by a firestorm of controversy. Questions flew about whether Flair would attend the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony as he is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling. Understanding what a huge honor this is for Flair, TNA is graciously supporting him in the decision to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony alongside his fellow inductees. “Being inducted once was one of the greatest accomplishments of my career, so I’m humbled and honored to be recognized again. I wouldn’t miss the ceremony for the world,” says Flair.

TNA President Dixie Carter says, “We are proud of Ric’s many accomplishments and contributions he has made to the world of professional wrestling and beyond. We wish to congratulate him on yet another honor he truly deserves.”

Flair, a 16-time World Heavyweight Champion, was inducted individually into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008. On becoming a two-time inductee his agent Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent and Entertainment says, “We are all so proud to be watching Ric continue to make history. There will never be an athlete more deserving of wearing two Hall of Fame rings than Ric Flair.”

For more information on Ric Flair go to www.ricflair.com, follow him on Facebook: Ric Flair, The Nature Boy, or on Twitter: @RicFlairNatrBoy. Flair is currently with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. TNA airs Thursday nights (9/8c) on Spike TV with monthly 3- hour Per-Per-View events.

Ric Flair® Fuels New Energy and Protein Drinks

Flair Becomes Ambassador for Fuel in a Bottle™, the Newest Creation by BYB Brands

CHARLOTTE, NC – (January 27, 2012)   World famous  Hall of Fame wrestler Ric Flair has been named Brand Ambassador for a new brand of Energy and Protein power shots, Fuel in a Bottle ™.

BYB Brands has chosen the international sports icon, Nature Boy®, to be the spokesman of the new ready-to-drink Energy and Protein shots, which will be introduced in early March and distributed by Coca-Cola Consolidated.

“Ric Flair can now easily energize his famous limousine-ridin’, jet-flyin’, kiss-stealin’, wheelin’-dealin’™ lifestyle with Fuel in a Bottle,” said BYB Brands president Norm George. “We are excited about the partnership with Ric. His distinctive energy and dynamism make him the perfect ambassador for our Fuel in a Bottle power shots.”

Fuel in a Bottle power shots are the only ready-to-drink shots that offer the two types of fuel consumers need for their day — Energy and Protein.  Fuel in a Bottle Energy shot provides a quick energy boost in convenient 2-ounce liquid form.  It is packed with B Vitamins, is sugar free and has zero calories.  Fuel in a Bottle Protein shot is loaded with 25g of high quality protein and essential amino acids that your body needs — in a 2.5 ounce power shot — eliminating the hassle of messy protein powders or shakes.  Both varieties of Fuel in a Bottle allow consumers to ‘Recharge in minutes.  Run stronger for hours.’™

“We are excited about Fuel in a Bottle because it offers two different types of high-quality fuel people are looking for at an amazing value price,” says BYB President Norm George.

“These products are unlike anything else on the market.  It’s really important to me to live an active, healthy lifestyle so having the convenience of both Fuel in a Bottle Energy shot that gives me an energy boost, and Fuel in a Bottle Protein shot that gives me the protein I need, is amazing!” says Flair.  “And what’s even better, they taste great! WOOOOO!™”

Fuel in a Bottle Energy and Fuel in a Bottle Protein will be available through the Southeastern United States in early March.  They will be sold in convenience retail, health-food stores, and other specialty retail outlets.  Fuel in a Bottle power shots are the latest products rolled out by BYB Brands. The company’s other beverages include Tum-E Yummies Fruit Flavored Drinks, Country Breeze Tea and Bean and Body Coffee.

According to Flair’s agent at Legacy Talent and Entertainment, Flair will support Fuel in a Bottle by licensing his image to market the product, shooting a TV commercial and voicing radio ads. “We think Ric’s fans will love the ad campaigns and Fuel in a Bottle shots,” says CEO Melinda Morris Zanoni.

For more information on Ric Flair go to www.ricflair.com, follow him on Facebook: Ric Flair, The Nature Boy, or on Twitter: @RicFlairNatrBoy.

For more information about Fuel in a Bottle go to www.fuelinabottle.com, or look for us on Facebook.

ABOUT BYB BRANDS, INC.

Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, BYB Brands, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated. BYB Brands, Inc. is a full-service brand creation company, specializing in new and alternative beverages as well as other consumable products. For information visit www.bybbrands.com.

ABOUT LEGACY TALENT AND ENTERTAINMENT, LLC

Legacy Talent and Entertainment is a full service Talent Management and Entertainment Development Company. Legacy Talent provides professional talent management services to select celebrities and athletes, including representing exclusive talent and the region’s highest profile celebrities. For more information call 704-334-7727 or 310-892-7561, visit www.legacytalentandentertainment.com, and become a fan on Facebook: Legacy Talent and Entertainment.

FORMER NASCAR TEAM OWNER MIMI SABATES JOINS LEGACY TALENT AND ENTERTAINMENT™ AS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Charlotte, NC, October 25, 2011 – Former NASCAR team owner Mimi Sabates has been named Business Development Director at Legacy Talent and Entertainment. Ms. Sabates will lead Legacy Talent’s expansion of its existing talent management division, as well as look to increase the company’s footprint in the sports and entertainment industry. The announcement was made by the founder and CEO of Legacy Talent, Melinda Morris Zanoni.

A native Charlottean and graduate of Furman University, Ms. Sabates has been involved with the NASCAR community since the 1980s when her father, Felix Sabates, formed Team SABCO. Ms. Sabates became a NASCAR team owner when she co-founded HighLine Performance, which fielded a car in the Busch Series for a successful season. HighLine Performance partnered with NFL legend Terry Bradshaw to become FitzBradshaw Racing.  FBR fielded several teams in the Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series, and the Camping World East Series, remained successful through 2009, and was a featured team on the Speed Channel reality show NBS 24-7.  Prior to her NASCAR career, Ms. Sabates worked for the Charlotte Hornets as the local Marketing Director and for the Charlotte Checkers as the Promotions and Merchandising Manager.  Ms. Sabates is well-known for her civic work in and around Charlotte and serves on the Board of Directors of a number of charitable organizations, including Foundation for the Carolinas, the Duke Cancer Institute Board of Overseers, St. Jude, Chairman of the Ambassador’s Ball for Allegro, and Victory Junction.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to add Ms. Sabates to the Legacy Talent team.  Her experience with the NBA and as a NASCAR team owner makes her a perfect addition as we continue to build Legacy Talent as the region’s premiere Talent Management Company.  I have known Mimi on a personal level for years and am consistently impressed with her ability to bring together productive relationships in our industry”, said Legacy Talent’s CEO.

“I’m very excited to be joining Legacy Talent,” commented Ms. Sabates. “Melinda and her team have uniquely positioned Legacy Talent as the region’s industry leader. My role now as Business Development Director is to build upon that momentum and continue establishing relationships.  I am honored to be a part of such a successful and exciting company.”
ABOUT LEGACY TALENT AND ENTERTAINMENT™:

Legacy Talent and Entertainment is the most established and recognized full service Talent Management and Entertainment Development Company in the Southeast, and also maintains a presence in Malibu, CA.  Legacy Talent provides professional talent management services to select celebrities, athletes, personalities, comedians, filmmakers, television professionals, actors, hosts, models, artists, announcers, motivational speakers, screenwriters, and authors, including representing exclusive talent and the region’s highest profile celebrities.  The company also develops and represents very select film and television projects.  In addition to entertainment industry experience, the management team has NASCAR, NBA, AHL, legal, marketing, publicity, and operating experience, has participated in transactions valued in excess of $21 billion, and has an extensive network of relationships, including studios, television networks, sponsors, and Fortune 500 Companies, with whom it has closed many high profile corporate endorsements.