FOXBORO, MA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/14/09 -- Play Hard Sports Inc., ("Play Hard") a leading developer and publisher of premium, free-to-play sports games, today announced the completion of $8 million in Series B funding, bringing the company's total capital raised to $13 million in less than nine months. Valhalla Partners led the round and was joined by TriplePoint Capital and existing investor, New Enterprise Associates. As part of the investment, Scott Frederick of Valhalla Partners will become a member of Play Hard's Board.

"We were presented with a number of opportunities that would accelerate our growth and market position and were thrilled to secure funding from well respected firms like Valhalla, TriplePoint and NEA," said Play Hard founder and CEO, Jeffrey Anderson. "The new financing will allow us to capitalize on current opportunities, expand our portfolio and secure additional marketing, licensing and sponsorship prospects."

"There is a lot of innovation coming from online entertainment and games companies right now," said Scott Frederick, General Partner, Valhalla. "We are confident that Play Hard Sports' pioneering 'freemium' model will be successful. Add the team of industry veterans, who are responsible for the market's biggest MMORPGs and sports games, including Madden 05, 06, 2KNFL, 2KNBA and The Lord of the Rings, and you have an unbeatable combination of strategy and execution."

Play Hard is currently in development of its first title game, Play Hard Football (PHF), which will launch concurrently with the 2009 NFL season, but will open for beta in just a few months. Instantly accessible on the PC via flash-enabled web-browsers, PHF allows registered users to take on the role of coach and general manager of their very own football team in an effort to rise in the ranks and establish a dynasty against franchises from across the globe.

ABOUT PLAY HARD SPORTS

Headquartered in the shadow of the world-famous Gillette stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, Play Hard Sports is passionately committed to bringing premium, free to play, online games and entertainment to sports fans. Play Hard's products fill a massive void in the online sports game industry by offering head-to-head competitions that combine a rich graphical environment, the accessibility of Flash, and the wide appeal of fantasy sports. For more information, visit www.playhardsports.com.

About Valhalla Partners

Valhalla Partners is a trusted partner and advisor to technology entrepreneurs in their quest to build world-class companies. Based in Vienna, Virginia, the firm's management team has made more than 120 investments over the past 20 years and produced almost $1 billion of investment proceeds. Valhalla prefers investments where the mission of the company is to innovate, challenge and fundamentally change the dynamics of new and existing markets. Investments by Valhalla's team include Advertising.com, BDMetrics, CareerBuilder.com, Clarify, EnterpriseDB, Epicor, Exchange Solutions, JumpTap, LeftHand Networks, Mobius, NextLink, Nirvanix, Progress Software, Proxicom, RealOps, Register.com, Riverbed Technologies, SafeNet, SEPATON, ServiceBench, Trilogy, and webMethods. Valhalla Partners brings the full power and network of its experienced team to every investment it makes, helping companies grow faster and smarter regardless of size or maturity. For more information, go to http://www.valhallapartners.com/.

About NEA

New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA) is a leading venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs create and build major new enterprises that use technology to improve the way we live, work and play. Since its founding in 1978, the firm has followed the same core principles: supporting its entrepreneurs, providing an excellent return to its limited partners, and practicing its profession with the highest standards and respect. Through its affiliated funds, NEA focuses on investments at all stages of a company's development, from seed stage through IPO. With approximately $8.5 billion in committed capital, NEA's experienced management team has invested in over 650 companies, of which more than 160 have gone public and more than 240 have been acquired. NEA has U.S. offices in Chevy Chase, Maryland; Menlo Park, California; and Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, New Enterprise Associates (India) Pvt. Ltd. has an office in Bangalore, India and New Enterprise Associates (Beijing), Ltd. has offices in Beijing and Shanghai, China. For additional information, visit www.nea.com.

About TriplePoint Capital

TriplePoint Capital is the leading global specialty finance company devoted to serving high-growth private equity and venture capital backed companies throughout their lifespan with debt financing, equity capital, and complementary services. With unparalleled levels of creativity, flexibility and customer service, TriplePoint Capital has been a debt financing provider to Facebook, YouTube, Adify, Slide, Coskata, Ilypsa, and numerous other high profile technology and life sciences companies. Headquartered on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California, TriplePoint Capital partners with high-growth companies around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.triplepointcapital.com.

Play Hard, Quick Hit and the "Q" logo are trademarks of Play Hard Sports, Inc. in the United States or other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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