After fans on 98 Degrees official site message board discussed the item submitted here earlier today by Mustangman9500, the site’s webmaster, Devon responded to the allegations. Devon wrote, “I can tell you for a fact that whoever wrote that is full of 100% Grade-A CRAP.”

“I don’t usually comment on rumors and such, but this one is just too much. What disturbs me is that they went to such elaborate lengths to spew their lies and concocted enough ‘details’ that people might actually believe them.”

“Here is the truth: Nick and Jessica are for real, and they have been from day one. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or doesn’t know what the hell they’re talking about. You can quote me on that.”

Patch Products has released the ’98 Degrees – Play For Keeps’ board game, where fans can show off your knowledge about 98 Degrees’ music and interesting facts about Nick, Jeff, Drew and Justin. The game costs $25 and can be purchased either online or at retailers nationwide.

98 Degrees announced on their official website that they’re releasing the new single ‘Why’ to radio on March 12 which will be included in the band’s greatest hits album called ‘The Collection’ which is scheduled to arrive in stores on May 7th. ‘The Collection’ will include all of 98 Degrees’ hits from the past five years as well as an 8-minute video compilation. The group announced earlier this year plans for an ‘extended break’… The extent of that break no doubt will hinge on the popularity of this new single and the sales of ‘The Collection’.

When the Associated Press announced today the ‘news’ that 98 Degrees announced they were taking an extended break, you really have to laugh about it. It was one month ago to the day I believe that this news was posted… then some AP lackey wanders over to the site likely looking for reaction to the Jessica Simpson engagement to member Nick Lachey and stumble onto this news… Then the gerbil-like entertainment sites feed off this old news. It just shows how reliant news is on press releases, not digging it up themselves on the artist’s websites.

Well we all know by now the big news Drew Lachey of 98 Degrees recently revealed about the group being on ‘extended break’, but he also answered a bunch of other questions, including his pick for best new artist for 2001. Drew said, “I believe as I’m sure many others do also that Alicia Keys was the best new artist. There is something to be said about an artist who can just sit behind a piano and captivate you. The best part is… she’s even better live.”