Tag: basketball

basketball, business

Why Candace Parker Does Everything ‘With a Purpose’

Candace Parker had just finished filming content for NBA 2K20, the latest edition of 2K Games’ basketball franchise. It was a banner moment for Parker and women’s basketball players as the video game publisher was including all 12 WNBA teams in the series for the first time.

Still donning the full body motion capture suit, Parker chatted with 2K engineers at the company’s headquarters in Novato, California, for an hour about the nuances of women’s basketball and the WNBA as both star athlete and game creators knew they couldn’t just add a ponytail to a character in a WNBA jersey and truly call it women’s basketball.

Continue reading “Why Candace Parker Does Everything ‘With a Purpose’” →
basketball, business

Showtime Basketball Succeeding by Empowering Athletes to Be Raw, Authentic Selves

Over the years, Showtime Sports has amassed a library of documentaries, especially about basketball, including Kobe Bryant’s Muse (2015), One & Done/Ben Simmons (2016), Shut Up and Dribble (2018), The Resurgence: DeMarcus Cousins (2018), and Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story (2019).

In an effort to further its documentary strategy of focusing on conversations and issues at the intersection of sports, culture, society and politics while leveraging both premium linear TV as well as social media, Showtime Basketball was born in 2019.

Continue reading “Showtime Basketball Succeeding by Empowering Athletes to Be Raw, Authentic Selves” →
basketball, business

Jayson Tatum, Rory McIlroy, Connor McDavid Among New Hyperice Investors

Two months after announcing a strategic shift from being a sports recovery brand to a holistic high-performance wellness one, Hyperice continues its growth and evolution following new investments from Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, four-time PGA Tour major champion Rory McIlroy, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, and Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo.

Continue reading “Jayson Tatum, Rory McIlroy, Connor McDavid Among New Hyperice Investors” →
basketball, business

How Sports Fueled Michelob Ultra’s Growth During Pandemic

When the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020, like many brands and organizations, Michelob Ultra needed to figure out how to pivot during the uncertain times.

The brand doubled down its efforts investing heavily in encouraging healthy and active lifestyles—especially at a time where activity was limited with stay-at-home mandates in place—while also broadening its category approach into the sports world.

Continue reading “How Sports Fueled Michelob Ultra’s Growth During Pandemic” →
basketball, business

CJ McCollum Chats Investment in LaceClips, Upcoming NBA Season

CJ and Errick McCollum spent countless hours on the basketball court growing up in Canton, Ohio. Whether it was blacktop or hardwood, the basketball court became their gym for workouts and training sessions as the brothers honed their skills in the hopes of becoming professionals. It also served as their courtroom as 1-on-1 games helped settle debates, including who was the better player.

Continue reading “CJ McCollum Chats Investment in LaceClips, Upcoming NBA Season” →
basketball, business

LaMelo Ball Joins Powerhandz as General Partner

Less than one month after adding NBA rookie of the year to his résumé, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is adding general partner and board member to it as well.

Ball, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2020 NBA draft, joins double-minority-owned athletic training and rehabilitation product tech platform Powerhandz as part of its $3 million Series A fundraise.

Continue reading “LaMelo Ball Joins Powerhandz as General Partner” →
basketball, business

Sabrina Ionescu, Dick’s Sporting Goods Supply Young Athletes with Equipment

Sabrina Ionescu just wanted to play basketball. She started her foray into the sport at 3 years old by “just throwing the ball around.” From there she gained experience playing on her brothers’ 10-foot hoop. In middle school, she would bring her sneakers with her as she watched twin brother Eddy play on the boys’ team, not only because the school didn’t field a girls’ program, but because the boys’ team would need extra bodies from time to time.

Continue reading “Sabrina Ionescu, Dick’s Sporting Goods Supply Young Athletes with Equipment” →
basketball, business, football

PepsiCo Strikes Deal With SWAC to Support HBCUs

Derek Lewis is a proud Hampton University alumnus. The South Division president at PepsiCo Beverages North America said his experience at the Virginia institution taught him what is possible when people support each other and how influential a strong network can be.

Continue reading “PepsiCo Strikes Deal With SWAC to Support HBCUs” →
basketball

Overtime Launches Basketball League That Pays Top High School Prospects

On May 18, 2019, Overtime, the sports network geared towards the digital generation, transformed the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, into a one-day basketball experience, highlighted by 3-on-3 games and a dunk showcase among 24 of the top boys and girls high school basketball prospects.

Continue reading “Overtime Launches Basketball League That Pays Top High School Prospects” →
basketball

Belgium Women’s Basketball Team Inspiring Next Generation Ahead of Olympic Debut

Ann Wauters remembers her feelings of insecurity while growing up in Sint-Gillis-Waas, Belgium.

“I was that girl who was way too tall and I didn’t have too much confidence,” the 6-foot-4 center recalls.

It wasn’t until a classmate suggested the shy preteen turn her height from an insecurity into an advantage by playing basketball that Wauters was able to truly be herself. The basketball court felt like home; it became a source of confidence.

Continue reading “Belgium Women’s Basketball Team Inspiring Next Generation Ahead of Olympic Debut” →