ConocoPhillips 76 Brand Signs on as Title Sponsor of College Basketball Tournament: 76 Classic

ESPN Regional Television announced today that ConocoPhillips, the parent company of 76, has signed a multiyear agreement for the title sponsorship of what will now be known as the 76 Classic.

The eight-team, 12-game, bracketed college basketball tournament will take place Nov. 27, 28 and 30 at the Anaheim Convention Center, adjacent to Disneyland. Complete tournament action will air on either ESPNU or ESPN2.

“76 is excited to be a part of kicking off the collegiate basketball season by sponsoring the 76 Classic,” said Kelvin Covington, Manager Programs, of ConocoPhillips. “The 76 Classic will feature some of the best collegiate teams representing excellent Division I Conferences. We are proud to associate the 76 brand with this great event.”

Pete Derzis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ESPN Regional Television said: “We are pleased to partner with ConocoPhillips and to have a leading brand such as 76 associated with this event. The partnership will greatly enhance our marketing efforts both regionally and nationally, allowing us to further develop the 76 Classic as a first-class experience for fans and all participants.”

Three of the eight schools in the second annual 76 Classic field earned berths in the 2008 NCAA Tournament in March. Baylor of the Big 12; Cal State Fullerton of the Big West; and St. Mary’s of the West Coast Conference all advanced to the first round of the NCAAs. Arizona State of the Pac-10 and the Atlantic 10’s Charlotte competed in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT); while UTEP of Conference USA participated in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) event. Completing the 2008 Anaheim Classic field are Providence of the Big East and Wake Forest of the ACC.

The Big West Conference again will serve as the host for the 76 Classic at the 7,800-seat Anaheim Convention Center. The 76 Classic features four games each day, with the two undefeated teams competing in the championship game on ESPN2 on Nov. 30.

Tickets for the 76 Classic are available through Ticketmaster, online at www.Tickemaster.com or by phone at (714) 704-2000. Packages include 12 games for $75 and single-session tickets for $15. Special travel package information can be found at www.espnplus.com or www.GETTRAVEL.com.

Additional information about the 76 Classic can be found at the official site: www.76CLASSIC.com.