Boston, Mass (PRWEB) July 24, 2015
The Basketball Tournament (TBT), the single-elimination, five-on-five, winner-take-all, open-application tournament with a $1 million prize, announced today that Jack Link’s® has been named Presenting Sponsor for The Basketball Tournament. The tournament will now be titled, “The Basketball Tournament presented by Jack Link’s Jerky.”
“Jack Link’s understands the appeal and potential of an open and democratic professional sporting event,” said Jon Mugar, CEO and Founder of The Basketball Tournament. “In short time, they have embraced the vision of The Basketball Tournament and the value we can deliver to them. The combination of this event combined with ESPN networks’ exposure creates a great platform from which Jack Link’s can communicate their message in a new and unique environment.”
“We are always looking for unique, new platforms, and ‘The Basketball Tournament’ is a one-of-a-kind, fast-growing event,” said Kevin Papacek, director of marketing, Jack Link’s. “We are looking forward to starting this partnership so players and fans of TBT can feed their wild sides.”
The sponsorship will include designation as “Presenting Sponsor,” integration into the event logo, in-arena signage, promotional opportunities, streaming presence and broadcast advertising for all the TBT games for the remainder of this year, including the $1 million, winner-take-all championship live on ESPN on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 3 p.m. (EST) from Fordham University in New York.
The 97-team TBT field includes no fewer than 125 players who have played in either the NBA or the NBA D-League and over 500 with professional experience. Roughly 317 teams applied to make the field, with each team consisting of a general manager, at least seven players and 100+ fan votes. All players must be 18 years of age or older and all games will be played under college rules with two 18-minute halves.
Some of the key teams heading into Friday’s action include, The Notre Dame Fighting Alumni, led by former All BIG EAST Tim Abromaitis, Ben Hansbrough, and Torin Francis; Ants Alumni, a reunion of many of the NBA D-League Champion Fort Wayne Mad Ants; Chicago’s Hoopville Warriors, led by former Illinois State stars; Missouri Valley Conference legends; professional veterans Rico Hill and Osiris Eldridge; and Armored Athlete, a team made up of several former Indiana University players including Christian Watford, Jordan Hulls, and Will Sheehey.
In addition, the field has Boeheim’s Army, coached by former Syracuse University stars Lawrence Moten and Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, and led by a team of Syracuse alums including first round pick Hakim Warrick. Joining them will be City of Gods, featuring former NBA players Michael Sweetney and DerMarr Johnson, and LA Unified, coached by Nick Young of the L.A. Lakers, will feature former NBA players Dijon Thompson, Ike Diogu and Bobby Brown. The Sean Bell All-Stars will be led by a host of college players from The Big East and Atlantic 10, including Cliff Clinkscales of DePaul and St. John’s Malik Boothe.
For the full schedule of games visit http://www.thetournament.com/
ABOUT THE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Conceived by CEO Jonathan Mugar as the ultimate opportunity for fans, athletes and social media mavens to create teams and then participate in a high-stakes, professionally run and organized sporting event, The Basketball Tournament is a winner-take-all, single elimination, open competition for players 18 years of age or older. In its first season, The Basketball Tournament drew over 100 team entries from around the country with 32 teams ultimately making the field. Participants ranged from professional players and recent college talent to local legends and pickup basketball stars. An overwhelming success in its launch year, the event is expanding nationwide in 2015, and doubling its prize. Among the advisors for the event are sports industry veterans Tony Ponturo of Ponturo Management Group, Andy Dolich of Dolich Consulting, and Len DeLuca of Len DeLuca & Associates, LLC. For more details visit http://www.thetournament.com/
Jack Link’s® Protein Snacks – Feed Your Wild Side™
Jack Link’s is a global leader in protein snacks and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Headquartered in Minong, Wis., Jack Link’s is a family-owned company that represents a heritage of quality and consumer trust, with the mission to Feed Your Wild Side. Jack Link’s offers more than 100 premium protein snacks in a variety of flavors, sizes and price points, appealing to nearly every consumer and occasion. Check out JackLinks.com for more information on the brand.
Media Contacts:
Fran Kirmser fran(at)kirmserponturo(dot)com, Joe Favorito, Kirmser Ponturo Group fatherknickerbocker1(at)yahoo(dot)com 201-746-0005