GCI Support Helps Shore up Finances of Revived WCHL Team

October 4, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE -- With the hockey season's first face-off at center ice just a week away, the Anchorage Aces announced today that GCI has signed on as the team's presenting sponsor, shoring up the franchise's financial standing and lending critical communications support to the newly reconstituted team.

Colby Coward, Anchorage Aces vice president of sales and marketing, said the deal calls for GCI to provide play-by-play communications, internet services and entertainment nights at the Sullivan Arena featuring cartoon characters from cable TV as well as web links to the Aces' homepage (www.anchorageaces.com).

GCI's name will appear on the Aces' scoreboard while other advertising and promotional elements featuring the Aces will be available to GCI.

The two organizations signed a letter of agreement earlier this week, Coward said. The presenting sponsor is the highest level of support a company can give to the Aces, and the agreement continues to underscore the "new" component to the face of the Aces under General Manager Derek Donald. "Our new partnership with GCI solidifies the credibility of the "New" Anchorage Aces in the market," Coward said. "The fans will benefit with added entertainment acts, new digital broadcasts, and more marketing pieces."

"In our estimation, the new Aces will serve as role models for young people involved in hockey throughout the state," said Paul Landes, GCI's chief marketing officer. "We're pleased to partner with the Aces and help provide the organization with a sound financial foundation."

The Anchorage Aces open the 2002-03 regular season Friday, October 11th in Boise against the Idaho Steelheads. Coverage begins at 4:45 pm AST on KFQD with Jack Michaels, presented by GCI. The home opener is set for Friday, October 25th at 7 p.m. at Sullivan Arena against the Idaho Steelheads, and fans will be treated to a special appearance by the original "Hanson Brothers," made famous by the Paul Newman movie "Slap Shot."

Michaels said: "I'm excited about this partnership because fans in Anchorage and the surrounding area will be treated to studio quality sound during every broadcast on KFQD thanks to GCI. A digital broadcast, made possible in part by this new relationship, will mean that our product will be sent back to Anchorage with a much cleaner sound than a filtered phone line."

GCI (Nasdaq: GNCMA) is an Alaska-based integrated communications provider that delivers voice, video and data services through its fiber optic, satellite, hybrid fiber coaxial and metropolitan area network facilities.

More information about GCI can be found at www.gci.com.



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