March 23, 2005 – Houston Rocket's Center and three-time NBA All Star Yao Ming, has quickly become one of the most popular and recognizable athletes in the world. This spring, meet the man behind the legend, as Yao Ming comes to the big screen in the theatrical release: "The Year of the Yao." The documentary, which was produced by Endgame Entertainment/NBA Entertainment and bought by Fine Line Cinemas, will open in Houston on April 15th, and will open in major markets April 29th. A sneak preview can be seen before hand from April 4th – 7th, exclusively on Yao's Fan Club website: www.yaomingfanclub.com.

"The Year of the Yao" tells the amazing true story of Yao Ming's journey from China to NBA rookie to global phenomenon. Through intimate behind the scene moments and interviews, the documentary explores the many barriers Yao was forced to overcome and the enormous pressure placed upon the young star, with great charm, humor, and candidness.

Selected with the first pick in the 2002 NBA draft, Yao Ming became the first international player to accomplish such a feat. That was the easy part however. Already a star in his native country, making the transition from China to the United States proved to be more difficult, not only due to the language and cultural barriers, but the added pressure of representing a nation of over one billion people, while trying to live up to American expectations and hype. Throw in the monstrous task of guarding Shaquille O'Neal in a quicker and more aggressive style of basketball, and the viewer begins to have a small idea of what Yao's journey has been like.

Yao not only survived his first year in the NBA, but also flourished; thanks to the friendship he built with his American translator, the strength he garnered from his family and traditional Chinese values, and through his faith in himself and in his passion for the game. Yao Ming has not only become one of the most popular sports figures today, but a hero to millions of people around the world.