The World Class Sports and Entertainment Venue to make Concession Lines Fast and Convenient for Fans

LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 29, 2007–American Express today announced STAPLES Center, in conjunction with Levy Restaurants as the latest national merchant partner to accept ExpressPay from American Express®. Cardholders can use ExpressPay at more than 20 concession stands throughout STAPLES Center.

“This technology allows STAPLES Center to provide guests with an easy and efficient way to purchase food and beverage items throughout the venue,” Lee Zeidman, STAPLES Center, General Manger. “Ensuring that our fans and guests are satisfied when they visit STAPLES Center is our number one priority, and we feel that ExpressPay from American Express allows us to offer them something that will truly enhance their experience.”

ExpressPay from American Express is a fast contactless payment option that consists of a secure chip powered by radio frequency technology. The feature is an easy-to-use alternative to cash for making everyday purchases at merchants where speed and convenience are important.

“We are delighted about our partnership with STAPLES Center to further expand ExpressPay’s momentum and help customers gain even greater speed and convenience when visiting concession stands at the Center,” said Leigh Malnati, Vice President of Cardless Payments at American Express.

American Express was the first issuer to launch contactless cards nationally with the rollout of Blue from American Express® with the ExpressPay feature in June 2005. ExpressPay is also embedded in the Clear and Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express and available via a key fob that can be linked to any American Express® Card. Users simply hold the Card or key fob with ExpressPay next to a contactless reader near the register to complete a purchase. Payment is authorized in seconds and no signature is required for most purchases less than or equal to $25.00. The chip enables end-to-end transaction security. Blue and Clear and the Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express also have a magnetic strip and function as traditional credit cards.

American Express continues to sign national and regional contactless payment merchants. For a full list of merchants now accepting ExpressPay visit, http://www.americanexpress.com/expresspay.

About ExpressPay from American Express

The rollout of ExpressPay continues American Express’ tradition of innovation. American Express introduced the industry’s first plastic credit card in 1959, and, in 1972, issued the first magnetic stripe card nationally. In 1999, American Express delivered the payment industry’s first wide-scale rollout of smart cards in the United States when it introduced Blue from American Express. The company also was an early adopter and industry leader in leveraging the Internet to develop new products, expand its customer service, and improve its overall operations.

ExpressPay adheres to ISO 14443, the interoperable standard that has been adopted by the major payment brands for conducting contactless payments. Many leading POS and reader manufacturers are integrating radio frequency (RF) technology into their POS equipment, enabling them to read ExpressPay and other contactless payment products. The adoption of a common standard as well as the availability of low-cost RF solutions for the POS that are simple to implement is facilitating the rapid acceleration of contactless payments in retail environments globally. In addition, ExpressPay contains a robust set of fraud prevention features. Customers also are not liable for any fraudulent ExpressPay charges.

About American Express

American Express Company (http://www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

About STAPLES Center

STAPLES Center, back-to-back recipients of the prestigious Pollstar-CIC Arena of the Year award, has clearly established itself as the Sports and Entertainment Center of the World.

Beginning with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s opening night concert on October 17, 1999, over 21 million guests have come to the AEG owned and operated STAPLES Center to attend a schedule of prestigious concerts, sports events, family shows and other major attractions unmatched by any arena.

As the home of five professional sports franchises–the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, the AFL’s Los Angeles Avengers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks–STAPLES Center has proven to be a home court advantage for the local teams. The Lakers capped-off each of their first three seasons at STAPLES Center by winning NBA Championships (the 12th, 13th and 14th in franchise history) while the Sparks captured back-to-back WNBA Championships in their first two STAPLES Center campaigns. The Kings, Clippers and Avengers have all set franchise records for attendance and sellouts since moving into their ‘new home.’

STAPLES Center continues to distinguish itself as the host of major, high-profile events of national and international distinction including the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, the 2002 NHL All-Star Game, 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the 2000 Democratic National Convention, five Grammy Award shows, four X Games competitions, three WTA Tour Championships and four Pac 10 Basketball Championship tournaments.

STAPLES Center has been designed with the fans of Los Angeles in mind. Guests who attend events are treated to the finest entertainment experience imaginable. The arena has 1,200 television monitors and (as part of a specially designed $1.5 million facility sound system) 675 separate speakers outside of the seating area, so fans never miss any of the sights or sounds of STAPLES Center. Also featured is a $2 million specialty lighting package.

Along STAPLES Center’s five concourses are 23 refreshment stands offering a variety of dining choices including the City View Grill, a one-of-a-kind outdoor dining experience with a spectacular view of the downtown Los Angeles skyline and the signature Royal Room located along the main concourse. The FOX Sports Sky Box, a 300-seat sports bar/restaurant, is open daily and can be found along the main concourse adjacent to TEAM LA, a retail store featuring official merchandise from the teams and events that call STAPLES Center home.

The STAPLES Center story is not yet complete. Recently, AEG announced plans for the creation of LA Live, a dynamic and vibrant 4 million square foot sports and entertainment district covering more than 27 acres along six city blocks adjacent to the arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. The development will feature NOKIA Theatre at L.A. Live, a 7,100-seat state-of-the-art live theatre, a 54 story, 1000-room convention “headquarters” hotel, broadcast facilities for ESPN, 15-screen Regal Cineplex, Club NOKIA at L.A.Live, a 2,200 capacity live music venue along with entertainment, restaurant, residential, office and exhibition space.