COMPANY STATEMENT REGARDING EXPANSION PLANS

KEVIN WORTH, PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER OF THE DEAL LLC, TODAY ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

July 31, 2002--New York, N.Y.--"The Deal LLC will expand its services by launching a new weekly publication later in 2002. The launch of the new publication will coincide with the re-launch of a daily news-only version of The Daily Deal, its print edition, as well as enhanced daily electronic products, including its Web site, TheDeal.com."

"The Deal has established a compelling editorial voice as well as a loyal following among the deal community - deal advisors, investors and corporate executives. Over the last three years, the Company has broadened our editorial platform to include coverage of private equity, venture capital, IPOs, corporate restructurings as well as mergers and acquisitions based on the belief that deals fuel the global economy. The new weekly publication will enable the company to service many more constituencies around the globe and prepare the Company for continued growth once the economy recovers. Despite a difficult economy, we have consistently expanded both our customer and advertising bases quarter over quarter. I'd like to thank all our readers, advertisers and partners for their enthusiastic support."

About The Deal LLC
The Deal, LLC is the leading media company charting the deal economy for dealmakers worldwide. The company provides original news reporting, financial data and commentary on a full spectrum of global transactions and the personalities and politics of dealmakers behind the deals. Through The Daily Deal and TheDeal.com, as well as e-newsletters, newsletters and special reports, The Deal, LLC addresses the information needs of the deal community composed of corporate executives, entrepreneurs, institutional investors, financial intermediaries and advisers. Investors in The Deal, LLC, a privately held company, include majority owner U.S. Equity Partners, a private investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP, and Rustic Canyon Ventures, one of the largest venture capital funds in Southern California.