GUINNESS & CO. Challenges Steve Nash To Prove He Is More Than A Basketball Player

NORWALK, Conn., July 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, GUINNESS & CO. will challenge Los Angeles' basketball star and two-time MVP, Steve Nash, to try out for a spot on the storied Italian soccer club Inter Milan and compete in the GUINNESS International Champions Cup (GICC). Nash has enjoyed success on the basketball court and is known as a true fan of soccer, but now the star athlete will set out to prove he is more than a one-sport all-star during a practice session with Inter Milan in New Jersey today.

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Nash's tryout will allow him the chance to participate in the inaugural GICC, a soccer tournament with matches taking place in various U.S. cities from July 31 through Aug. 7.  The bracket-format tournament will feature top international soccer teams including AC Milan, Chelsea, Everton, Inter Milan, Juventus, LA Galaxy, Real Madrid and Valencia. The GUINNESS brand, as title sponsor of the GICC, is a well-known supporter and champion for sport around the world, and will be featuring GUINNESS^® Black Lager at this ground-breaking international soccer tournament.

"Challenge accepted! I've always been a big fan of soccer, so I'm looking forward to putting my skills to the test to see if I'm cut out for a position on one of the world's top soccer clubs," said Steve Nash. "Both basketball and soccer require a lot of talent and overall athleticism – but soccer is more than a game or hobby to me, it's a passion. This is why I've accepted the challenge from GUINNESS to try out for Inter and attempt to compete in the GICC to show that I'm more than a professional basketball player."

Nash is no stranger to competitive soccer as he played collegiately at a Division I program and has trained with professional club teams in the United States and Canada. He is also host of "Showdown," charity soccer events in New York and LA each summer. The tryout in advance of the GICC tournament will provide Nash a chance to answer speculation that he could have had a professional soccer career had he not chosen to pursue basketball.

"GUINNESS Black Lager has more taste and more character,  so it seemed like a perfect fit to challenge one of the world's best athletes to a task that will definitely show whether he can make this extraordinary transition from one top-level sport to another," said Doug Campbell, Brand Director, GUINNESS beer. "We know Steve is a highly talented basketball player and as soccer fans, we're looking forward to seeing what he's made of on the field. Whether he makes the Inter Milan team or not, we will together toast his efforts, responsibly, with a cold GUINNESS Black Lager."

GUINNESS^® Black Lager, the sponsor of the GICC, perfectly combines the refreshing taste of lager with the unique character and flavor of GUINNESS beer. GUINNESS^® Black Lager is available at retail and in bars nationwide and is available in six-pack bottles (4.5% ABV) at a price comparable to other Premium Imports.

Throughout the GUINNESS International Champions Cup, the GUINNESS brand reminds you to make responsible drinking your goal.

About GUINNESS^® brand
The GUINNESS^® brand enjoys a global reputation as a uniquely authentic Irish beer and the best-selling stout in the world.  Famous for its dark color, creamy head and unique surge and settle, this distinctive beer has been brewed at the St. James's Gate brewery in Dublin, Ireland since 1759.  Over 10 million glasses of GUINNESS beer are enjoyed every single day around the world, and 1.8 billion pints are sold every year.  GUINNESS beer is available in well over 100 countries worldwide and is brewed in almost 50.  Also from the makers of GUINNESS, SMITHWICK'S, Ireland's oldest and best selling ale and HARP Lager, whose name pays tribute to the GUINNESS logo and the national symbol of Ireland.  Additional information about the GUINNESS brand can be found at www.guinness.com.

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