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National City Named Presenting Sponsor for Detroit Pistons 2008-09 Season

"The Detroit Pistons presented byNational City" marks only the second time in team history that the franchise has been presented by a sponsor for the regular season and playoffs.National City has a successful relationship as a major sponsor with the team over the past several seasons.

"We are pleased to haveNational City as the presenting sponsor of the Detroit Pistons," said Pistons President & CEO Tom Wilson. "National City is well known and respected statewide and nationally, and they are known as much for their commitment to customer service in the banking industry as we are in our industry. When our presenting sponsorship became available, the existing relationship we had with them made them a natural to be on the short list of companies we approached."

As presenting sponsor,National City will be included in a number of marketing elements including drops/logos on all television, radio and print ads; theNational City logo on Pistons tickets and pocket schedules; in-arena advertising forNational City; prominent placement of its logo on the Pistons.com web site; theNational City logo incorporated into Pistons staff uniforms and point-of-sale signage at all Locker Room stores.

"This relationship will go much farther than a simple promotional platform," continued Wilson. "National City will continue to be a key participant in the Pistons Read to Achieve program and other Community Relations efforts. We believe this type of broad-based, community-driven partnership is a key way of making the presenting sponsorship deal work for the team, forNational City and, most importantly, for the fans."

Fans will benefit from the relationship in a variety of ways.National City will provide Pistons tickets to area youth who otherwise might not have an opportunity to attend a game. They will also offer special promotions and discounts throughout the season for designed games. In-arena, guests will benefit with contests during the game providing additional entertainment and opportunities, and with fan giveaways.

David Boyle, president forNational City inMichigan andNorthwest Ohio said, "Our decision to become the presenting sponsor of the Pistons is an extension of our continued growth and expansion in this market and will bolster our efforts to reach local customers withNational City's industry leading products and services and people who are second-to-none. The Detroit Pistons are a winning team with a winning strategy. AtNational City, we know we have the same."

"Our bank has enjoyed an extraordinary collaboration with the Pistons, which will only be enhanced by our role as presenting sponsor. We have raised funds for breast cancer awareness, prevention and research, and have honored area breast cancer survivors with ceremonies at Pistons games inGrand Rapids and Detroit, as well as helped our local communities with the Pistons in Read To Achieve campaigns. This year, we will honor breast cancer survivors at the Pistons' opener at the Palace on October 29 and at the Van Andel arena in Grand Rapids on October 14," Boyle said.

Boyle emphasized, "We are absolutely excited the National City branches in Michigan andNorthwest Ohio will become official 'touch points' for Pistons basketball. We care about rewarding our customers for their loyalty."

He explained that as the Pistons presenting sponsor,National City customers will benefit from special offers on their National City Pistons check cards and on the bank's industry leading rewards program -- points from National City. Additionally,National City customers will receive 20 percent discounts on merchandise at official Pistons Locker Room stores.

"The combination of the Pistons' success promotingNational City, and the on-goingNational City marketing campaign promoting the team will boost the level of awareness for both organizations," added Wilson.

The financial terms of the multiyear agreement were undisclosed.

The Detroit Pistons open the 2008-09 pre-season at The Palace on October 8 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Milwaukee Bucks. Other home pre-season games include October 14 at 7 p.m. vs. San Antonio Spurs (at Van Andel Arena inGrand Rapids), October 16 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Dallas Mavericks, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Cleveland Cavaliers and October 23 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Atlanta Hawks.

The regular season begins on October 29 at 8 p.m. when the Pistons begin defense of their Central Division title by hosting division rivals, the Indiana Pacers, on their quest to compete in the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals for the seventh consecutive year.

AboutNational City:

National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), headquartered inCleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation's largest financial holding companies. The company operates through an extensive banking network primarily inOhio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses include corporate and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing, consumer finance and asset management. For more information aboutNational City, visit the company's Web site at www.nationalcity.com.

SOURCE Detroit Pistons