July 29, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – Global Spectrum, manager of the Colonial Center, is bringing a preseason National Basketball Association game to the Colonial Center, featuring the Philadelphia 76ers vs. the NBA World Champion San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, October 12th at 8:00PM. This will be the first-ever NBA preseason game played at the Colonial Center.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Global Spectrum are subsidiaries of Comcast-Spectacor. Global Spectrum’s Tom Paquette, General Manager of the Colonial Center said, “We are especially proud to be working with the 76ers in bringing this game to Columbia since they and Global Spectrum are part of the Comcast-Spectacor family of companies. Anytime you have Allen Iverson, Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and the rest of the World Champions on the court, it is truly a special event for basketball fans.”

“Bringing the Philadelphia 76ers to the Colonial Center in Columbia, SC is a great opportunity for us,” said 76ers President Billy King. “The Colonial Center is an incredible basketball facility and what better place for us to showcase 76ers basketball in South Carolina than to play in the home of the Gamecocks.”

Brad Edwards, USC Senior Associate Athletic Director added, “hosting the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers is another opportunity for us to provide quality entertainment programming for the public. The willingness of the NBA Champions to play this market is a real credit to the Colonial Center and to its tremendous community and fan support.”

USC Head Coach Dave Odom is also impressed with the game as he coached the Spurs Tim Duncan and the Sixers Rodney Rogers while at Wake Forest. “Both are class organizations and I know my team, my coaches and the Carolina fans will be excited to see talent such as this at the Colonial Center,” said Odom.

Tickets range from $18-$49 (VIP and Courtside seating is also available), and will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 5th at 10AM. Children under 12 and Group discounts are available. Tickets will be available at the Colonial Center Box Office, online at www.thecolonialcenter.com, charge by phone at 1-866-4SC-TIXX (472-8499), or any Columbia-area Play it Again Sports location.

Global Spectrum will host an “NBA Day in Columbia” Pre Game Block Party on Wednesday, October 12th three hours prior to the start of the game on the plaza outside the Colonial Center. The Block Party will feature food and beverages, several interactive games, and various other basketball displays. The Block Party is free and open to the public.

The University of South Carolina’s Athletic Department is the primary owner and operator of the Colonial Center. Global Spectrum, the fastest growing public assembly management firm with over 46 facilities manages the Colonial Center for the University of South Carolina Athletic Department. Global Spectrum is a subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor, of Philadelphia, PA, which owns the Philadelphia Flyers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Wachovia Center, the Wachovia Spectrum and several other entities. Join our Cyber Club and receive information on events at www.thecolonialcenter.com.