KemperSports today announced that EA SPORTSTM, a label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), has agreed to a two-year extension as title sponsor of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, the nation’s premier early-season men’s college basketball tournament. The pact will extend the partnership between EA SPORTS and the Maui Invitational through 2009. 

EA SPORTS has been the title sponsor since 2001. Its overall commitment has been instrumental to the tournament’s growth, as the firm has hosted a separate video game tournament, offered internships to students of tournament host Chaminade, expanded charities in the local community, and underwritten additional team expenses. 

“We have been fortunate over the past several years to have the support of EA as our dedicated title sponsor,” said Tournament Chairman Dave Gavitt of KemperSports. “Like its videogames, EA SPORTS is committed to bringing great sports experiences to life, and with its support the Maui Invitational will continue its tradition of creating the type of exciting college basketball games that have made this tournament such a great event.” 

The tournament has also served as a launch pad for the EA SPORTS videogame,  NCAA® March Madness® (www.easports.com/marchmadness), the No. 1-selling college basketball videogame of all time*.  The title sponsorship has enabled EA SPORTS, the world’s leading interactive sports software brand, to tap into new levels of brand awareness, product promotion and immersion into real-world sports events via a rich portfolio of sponsorship activities and involvement. 

“At EA SPORTS, we partner with marquee sporting events like the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational -- the best early-season college basketball tournament and a hallmark of college athletics,” said Brian Movalson, director of sports marketing for EA SPORTS. “This tournament puts our brand center court while also providing opportunities to interface with the participating teams, coaches and numerous organizations that are central to our promotion and growth.” 

EA SPORTS has been the only title sponsor in the tournament’s 24-year history.

The 2008 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Hosted by Chaminade University, will mark the tournament’s 25th year of launching the college basketball season. This year’s NCAA Tournament participants North Carolina, Texas, Notre Dame, Indiana, Oregon and St. Joseph’s, along with Alabama and host Chaminade, will vie for the coveted early-season crown Nov. 24-26 at Maui’s Lahaina Civic Center. The ESPN networks will again offer live television coverage of all 12 tournament games.

Other tournament sponsors include the Maui Visitors Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, adidas, GEICO and Gatorade. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maui Resort and Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, all located in the beautiful Ka’anapali Beach resort area, serve as host hotels for the thousands of fans and boosters who annually accompany their teams to Maui. KemperSports has operated the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990. 

For a variety of tournament information as well as details regarding 2008 ticket and travel packages, visit the official tournament Web site at www.mauiinvitational.com or contact Oahu Travel, the official tournament travel agent, at 800.826.3822.

*Based on total franchise sales through February 2008 according to the NPD Group, Inc.