Cellular South is Title Sponsor For NBA Preseason Game

    MOBILE, Ala., June 9 /PRNewswire/ --

    WHAT:   Cellular South Classic; New Orleans Hornets vs. Miami Heat

    WHERE:  University of South Alabama Mitchell Center

    WHEN:   Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 7:30pm

Cellular South announced today that the company will be the title sponsor of the Cellular South Classic, a National Basketball Association (NBA) preseason game featuring the New Orleans Hornets and the Miami Heat at the USA Mitchell Center inMobile, Ala., on Thursday, October 23, 2008.

Both teams boast some of the most talented and exciting professional basketball players in the world. The New Orleans Hornets feature NBA All-Stars Chris Paul and David West and perennial three-point shooting champion Peja Stojakovic, while the former world-champion Miami Heat have Dwayne Wade, one of the most dynamic players in the league.

"As a longtime member of the Mobile community, we are extremely proud to bring a high-profile event like the Cellular South Classic to this region," said Jim Richmond, Director, Corporate Communications, Cellular South.

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said hosting an event involving one of the most recognizable brands in the sporting world will help boost the city's continuing efforts to attract high-profile events and programs. "Tourism and entertainment are two key economic development areas for us and we are excited about hosting the game this fall," Jones said.

The game will be played at the University of South Alabama's Mitchell Center. The 29,000-square-foot facility can house more than 10,000 fans for basketball games. "We are very excited to host the October 23 NBA exhibition basketball game featuring the New Orleans Hornets and the Miami Heat and are even more delighted with Cellular South's continued support of the community," said Victor Cohen, Arena Manager for the USA Mitchell Center. "The Cellular South Classic is just another way the company keeps us connected and listening."

Blue Ridge Sports & Entertainment, aWinchester, Va.-based event management and sports marketing corporation, worked with NBA and Cellular South to schedule the exhibition game inMobile. "We are thrilled to bring the NBA to Mobile and look forward to working with Cellular South and the USA Mitchell Center on this tremendous event," said David Gardiner, President of Blue Ridge Sports & Entertainment, the game's organizer. "We have two outstanding teams playing -- the Hornets advanced to this year's Western Conference Semi-Finals, while the Heat won the NBA Championship in 2006."

Tickets for the Cellular South Classic, which start at $26 each, are on sale now and available at http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, the USA Mitchell Center ticket office (2195 Mitchell Center Dr., Mobile, AL, 36688), or by calling 251-434-0033. A limited number of VIP seats are available.

Local Ticketmaster outlets include: Mobile Civic Center, FYE music and Hank Aaron Stadium. For more information, call 251-461-6047.

*** Note: Individual player appearance and participation is determined solely
              by the New Orleans Hornets and the Miami Heat. ***

SOURCE Cellular South