April 21, 2003

Columbia, S.C. –
The Carolina Center, South Carolina’s largest arena, ranked 16th highest selling venue for 2003 first quarter by Pollstar magazine in the April 21, 2003 issue. Pollstar reported that the Carolina Center sold 53,308 tickets to events that played between January 1 – March 31, 2003. The list includes buildings throughout the world, such as venues in Canada and England. Pollstar is a leading publication in the arena and entertainment industry.

“Being ranked in Pollstar is exciting for the building and for Columbia. We are making news in the industry and attracting attention for the Midlands by bringing in top name acts that sell large numbers of tickets,” said Global Spectrum’s Tom Paquette general manager of the Carolina Center. “To be ranked 16th is a tribute to our staff and the partnerships we have developed with the shows and promoters,” Paquette added.

The University of South Carolina’s Athletic Department is the primary operator of the new Carolina Center. Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm which owns the First Union Center, the First Union Spectrum, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Philadelphia 76ers, manages over 32 facilities worldwide, and has been selected by USC Athletics to manage the new Carolina Center.