CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ:CKXE), today announced the renaming of its partnership with Muhammad Ali to Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC and appointed long-time attorney and adviser to Mr. Ali, Ron DiNicola, as the renamed company's President and CEO.

The moves mark the initial rollout of CKX's overall strategy for the company, formerly known as G.O.A.T. LLC. G.O.A.T. stands for "Greatest of All Time." It is the name by which Mr. Ali is recognized globally and it will continue to be used by the company in connection with certain products. In April, CKX purchased an 80 percent interest in the name and likeness of Mr. Ali, who is widely viewed as the greatest athlete of the 20th century and a goodwill ambassador to the world. The remaining 20 percent was retained by The Muhammad Ali Family Trust. Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie Ali, are the trustees of the trust.

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and CEO of CKX, commented, "We feel the new name makes clear that this company is all about Muhammad Ali and his principles. Given the worldwide recognition of Muhammad Ali and his ideals, it made perfect sense to put his name on the marquee, so to speak."

In the appointment of Mr. DiNicola, CKX has added one of Mr. Ali's closest and most trusted advisors. Mr. DiNicola has been the attorney for Mr. Ali for nearly two decades, overseeing everything from book, movie and licensing deals to the securing of intellectual property rights.

"Other than Muhammad and his wife, Lonnie, there is probably no one who appreciates the integrity of the Ali name more than Ron DiNicola," Mr. Sillerman said. "Ron brings extraordinary talent and creativity to this growing company and has a great understanding of all Muhammad Ali stands for and represents to people all over the world."

Mr. DiNicola commented, "With all that CKX brings to the table, it is clear that there is more to Muhammad Ali Enterprises than licensing deals. We are actively pursuing strategic opportunities that represent the ideas and ideals of Muhammad, both nationally and internationally. And in keeping with the business plan of CKX, we are also seeking to secure content and intellectual property related to Muhammad that could be delivered around the globe in a multitude of platforms."

The recently announced GOAT brand of nutritious foods, being developed with Peter Arnell and MasterFoods' MARS Nutrition for Health & Well-Being division, is an example of the type of opportunity Muhammad Ali Enterprises will pursue. The new GOAT food products will be delicious, nutritious and convenient enough to fit into the hectic daily lives of young adults. The brand epitomizes Mr. Ali's belief in having a fit and healthy lifestyle and his desire to help the world's youth improve their bodies as well as their minds. The first GOAT food products to be developed, packaged snacks containing no more than 150 calories and fortified with vitamins and fiber, are expected to be available in stores early next year.

In joining Muhammad Ali Enterprises, Mr. DiNicola will leave his position as a partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLC, a California law firm. He has been with the firm since 1984, specializing in entertainment, sports and intellectual property law. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Georgetown University Law School and has served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

About CKX, Inc.

CKX, Inc., a company controlled by Robert F.X. Sillerman and affiliates, is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, the Company has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland, the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali and the proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in over 100 countries around the world. CKX plans to continue to make strategic acquisitions of, or partner or align with, companies or individuals that control various forms of established entertainment content, which may include intellectual property rights in music, film, television programming, written works and characters, rights to names, images and likenesses, video games, corporate brands and other related assets. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.ckx.com.

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, acquisitions or dispositions of business assets, and the potential impact of future decisions by management that may result in merger and restructuring charges, as well as the potential impact of any future impairment charges to goodwill or other intangible assets. More detailed information about these factors may be found in filings by CKX, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CKX, Inc. is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.