County Agrees to 8-year Extension With EA Sports

Maui County agrees to eight-year contract extension with the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Photo courtesy EA Sports.

By Rodney S. Yap

The County of Maui has agreed to extend its partnership with the EA Sports Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament for another eight years.

“The EA Sports Maui Invitational has made our island a household name when it comes to college basketball,” Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said of the license agreement. “It has also established Lahaina as a fun and exciting sports venue for the nation’s premier early-season college basketball tournament.  It has been a pleasure to work closely with representatives at KemperLesnik to ensure that this sports tradition continues here for many years to come.”

In addition to contributing approximately $8.1 million to the local economy in 2011 with visitor spending and global marketing for Maui, the EA Sports Maui Invitational also has an annual average direct spend with local businesses of approximately $1 million.

“Mayor Arakawa, Maui County Council Members and the entire Maui community have been incredible supporters of the EA Sports Maui Invitational,” said Tom Valdiserri, executive vice president of KemperLesnik, the tournament operator. “For nearly 29 years, players, fans and television viewers around the country have been treated to an exceptional college basketball experience in the most beautiful destination in the world. Our team, in partnership with Chaminade University, looks forward to producing the tournament right here in Maui for many years to come.”

Each year, the EA Sports Maui Invitational works with and utilizes the services of more than 60 Maui County businesses, and hosts youth and coaches clinics through the Adidas Hoops Clinics.

The 2012 Championship Round, which will be played Nov. 19-21 at the Lahaina Civic Center, features another exciting field including Butler, Illinois, Marquette, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Texas, USC and host Chaminade.