Yahoo! News has issued the following press release:

Bodog Music's $1 Million Battle Of The Bands is pleased to announce that the legendary John Lydon (a.k.a. Johnny Rotten) has signed on to be a judge for the show that is currently shooting across the United States and will run on a top cable network later in the year.

"I don't like decaffeinated teabags. The offer to this show came in the season to be jolly (xmas). I don't know who Bodog is. I still don't, but I may in the future. I admire the wit, audacity and touch of genius to entrust me with the future of rock and roll. I do not do judgment. I don't take judgment. But, by the end of this show you'll know what this judge meant. I don't like decaffeinated teabags. P.S. -- I always loved live music and these bands genuinely enjoy what they do, and they write their own songs. Thank you. Fresh. Whoever wins Bodog's cash cow contract is well worth it cause every single band in here is worth it. Words not given lightly. Up yours, John Rotten"

Lydon was a founding member of the groundbreaking punk rock band the SEX PISTOLS. He then went on to found the successful outfit PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED. John Lydon also made records outside of PiL. In 1984, under the name TIME ZONE, he teamed up with hip-hop pioneer Africa Bambaataa and released one of the first rock/rap crossovers, 'World Destruction'. In 1993, he teamed with dance duo LEFTFIELD and created one of the most popular and influential dance anthems of the 1990s, 'Open Up'" The Pistols have since returned on a number of occasions, most notably for their own unique Silver Jubilee celebration show in London's Crystal Palace Stadium 2002. Lydon has also continued to make his own solo records including Psycho's Path in 1997. He is currently working on new material for a second solo album, The Rabbit Song.

As well, Lydon has some experience on the A&R; front, from his stint as the founding A&R; rep for the reggae division of Richard Branson's nascent Virgin Records in the late 70's.

Lydon has appeared in several films, most notably Order of Death with Harvey Keitel (1983) and Julien Temple's acclaimed Sundance entry The Filth and the Fury (2000), warmly introduced at the festival by none other than Danny DeVito, who flew in specifically for the film. His best-selling autobiography Rotten, No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs (1994) on the Sex Pistols is required reading for any music fan. He also appeared on his own series for VH-1: "Rotten TV." Additionally he hosted the popular "Rotten Radio" and the even more popular "Rotten" on Eyada.com, a four-hour live debate show.

Bodog Music's $1 Million Battle of the Bands has narrowed the field to 16 survivors culled from more than 7,000 entrants who signed up on the http://www.bodogbattleofthebands.com web site and participated in over 300 live battle concerts. Since January 23, the 16 who remain have taken the competition on the road, starting with a stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. The final elimination tour and shooting of the Bodog Music Battle of the Bands reality show is now under way.

The tour manager for the Bodog Music Battle of the Bands will be noted KROQ DJ and Loveline host Stryker. In addition to Lydon, Bodog Battle of the Bands Talent Judges feature Canadian superstar Bif Naked and Billy Duffy of The Cult. They will be joined by an array of music notables who will lend their wisdom to the show. These notables include: Dan Jacobs of ATREYU, Charlie Benante of ANTHRAX, BOWLING FOR SOUP, Paul Gray of SLIPKNOT, THE EXIES, AVRIL LAVIGNE, THE BARENAKED LADIES, STEVE VAI, AL KAPONE, ART NEVILLE, SOUL ASYLUM's Dave Pirner, World Leader Pretend, Maxim model Julie Hinton and more.

Bodog.com Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre noted, "The Bodog Music $1 Million Battle of the Bands has become even bigger than we imagined. We are thrilled to have a legendary character like Johnny Rotten as a judge."

As they rock across America on five plush Bodog tour buses, the bands will face a variety of ordeals and battles to finally decide which one is the best unsigned band in America and who wins the coveted million-dollar contract.

The bands who will assemble in Cleveland range across all genres. Here are their names and the city from which each hails: The Mood (Atlanta), Ahimsa Sunrise (Washington, D.C.), Fall From Grace (Seattle), Fear Nuttin Band (Boston), Left 4 Dead (Chicago), Subversa (Houston), Ashmore (Dallas), The Desciples (Denver), Silverspork (Detroit), Blaxmyth (Los Angeles), Big Bang Radio (Miami), Leroy Smokes (Minneapolis), Idle Red (Phoenix), Strifer (San Francisco), BurnDown All Stars (Philadelphia) and MuRdok (Tampa).

Film crews have been following every step closely in each city. This unique look into the Bodog Music $1 Million Battle of the Bands will take nationwide audiences front and center to the final rounds where defeats, victories and personal triumphs will be documented.

About Bodog Music...

BodogMusic.com is a division of the international digital entertainment giant Bodog.com Entertainment. With six offices worldwide, the label features a diverse and growing roster of talented musicians. Bodog Music is searching for the top unsigned band in America with "Bodog Music Battle of the Bands", which is taking place in 17 major markets and features more than 300 live shows. Bodog Music Founder Calvin Ayre, who is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling "Billionaires" issue in March 2006. Bodog.com Entertainment also includes a television production unit, an online magazine, Bodog Nation, and further properties coming soon. BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog.com Entertainment.

For more information, please contact Susan Mainzer on 213-840-0077, smainzer@riptown.com or Rikki Zazula on 215-794-1972, rikki@bodogmusic.com.