TULSA, Okla., May 3, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Well-known sports figure, Rudy Ruettiger of Notre Dame football fame and the inspiration behind the movie "RUDY", is taking on his next challenge - going head-to-head with high-sugar beverages. Ruettiger will introduce his new company, Rudy Beverage, Inc., during the live airing of "The Contender Special: Latin Warriors" on Thursday, May 4, at 9:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN. A sponsor of the fight, Rudy Beverage, Inc. will feature its logo on the mat under the dancing feet of Sergio Mora and Archak Termeliksetian.
Concerned with the toll that high-sugar beverages are taking on Americans' health, Ruettiger co-founded Rudy Beverage, Inc. to create healthier alternatives to the sugar-laden drinks that contribute to obesity and related diseases. Rudy Beverage, Inc. is rolling out two lines of healthy beverages: RUDY! RUDY! Flying Colors(tm), a low-sugar, vitamin-packed, fruit-flavored drink for children; and Rudy Revolution(tm), a low-sugar sports beverage high in nutrients and with superior hydration for athletes.
"Sylvester Stallone and I met in 1993, and our life stories share a similar theme of determination and perseverance," said Ruettiger. "This was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up. The boxers on 'The Contender' embody a 'never give up' spirit and embrace the challenge of tackling your dreams. I try to inspire this same passion and vision in children and athletes, so it was the perfect place to introduce my new beverages."
The Tournament of Contenders was founded by Sylvester Stallone, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Mark Burnett, Sugar Ray Leonard and Jeff Wald in 2004. A licensed boxing entity that has entered into promotional agreements with contestants, The Contender hopes to improve the boxing experience for both fans and fighters.
Distribution of RUDY! RUDY! Flying Colors(tm) and Rudy Revolution(tm) will begin this summer on the East Coast. Interviews with Rudy available upon request. Please contact Mistie Thompson or Katie Mannhard at 314-469-3500 to coordinate.
About Rudy Beverage
Founded by Notre Dame sports legend Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger and Drew Carver, a beverage industry expert and son-in-law of former Fighting Irish coach Dan Devine, Rudy Beverage, Inc., is focused on creating and distributing sports drinks that offer great taste as well as healthy choices for parents, kids and athletes looking for something special. RUDY! RUDY! Flying Colors(tm) and Rudy Revolution(tm) are the first in the new line of low-sugar, high nutrition beverages that also offer Rudy's inspirational message of hope - that "never give up" spirit immortalized in the movie "RUDY" - on every bottle.
About Global Beverage Solutions, Inc.
Rudy Beverage, Inc. is a majority-owned portfolio company of Global Beverage Solutions, Inc. Global Beverage Solutions, Inc. is a business development company governed under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that invests primarily in development stage companies within the beverage industry. As a business development company, Global Beverage Solutions, Inc. provides financial guidance in addition to cash investments in the form of both loans and equity investments in its portfolio companies. Global Beverage Solutions, Inc. reports information which can be found at edgar.sec.gov and trades under the symbol, GBVS, on the OTCbb Bulletin Board quotation system. Additionally, company information can be found on its website at www.globalbeveragesolutions.com.