National Basketball Association

Ja Morant shows how a 'good guy with a gun' can never be Black

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 23, 2023

Ja Morant, the 23-year-old star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, was barely 1 year old.

Key Points: 
  • Ja Morant, the 23-year-old star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, was barely 1 year old.
  • But his bursting athletic brilliance, so evocative of Iverson, comes with a cost: the perceived menace of the Black gangster.
  • On March 4, 2023, Morant posted an Instagram Live video of him displaying a gun at a Denver strip club.
  • Even when folks who look like Morant innocuously and legally possess a gun, they find themselves too easily typecast as villains.

Disciplining ‘thugs’ and ‘children’

    • When global sports icon Michael Jordan retired from basketball in 2003, the league found itself in a period of transition.
    • How would it continue to fill arenas, satisfy advertisers and spread its vision of a global game without its brightest star?
    • Not only did the NBA need a new crop of superstars to mitigate Jordan’s exit, but it also needed a fresh attitude.
    • Players openly professed their love for rap music, with stars like Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Iverson and others recording and releasing music.
    • “This guy is so worried about being cool: ‘Look at me, man: Life is like a rap video.’”

The NBA’s gun culture

    • In 2006, Stephen Jackson was suspended just seven games for firing a gun after an altercation at an Indianapolis strip club.
    • In 2010, Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton were suspended for 50 and 38 games, respectively, after pulling guns on each other in the Washington Wizards team facilities.
    • And in 2014, Raymond Felton was suspended four games after pleading guilty to charges stemming from an incident where he threatened his estranged wife with a gun.
    • In 2018, during a trip to Israel, Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green posed with an assault weapon.

Was this ever about guns?

    • To me, the answer is simple: In America, armed Black folks conjures pathological criminality.
    • So if people are so sure of Morant’s villainy, I ask without a hint of snark: What does responsible Black gun ownership look like?
    • To me, this was never about guns – just as, back in the early 2000s, it was never about rap music or baggy clothing.
    • According to this warped, uniquely American fantasy, “good guys with guns” can never look like Ja Morant – and good guys can always kill bad guys.

NITCHES INC. TO PROVIDE EXCLUSIVE PREMIUM EXECUTIVE STAFF CLOTHING FOR THE ALSD CONFERENCE IN INDIANAPOLIS

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 22, 2023

In this significant role, Nitches will showcase its commitment to quality and design by supplying exclusive, co-branded clothing for executive staff at the ALSD conference.

Key Points: 
  • In this significant role, Nitches will showcase its commitment to quality and design by supplying exclusive, co-branded clothing for executive staff at the ALSD conference.
  • This event presents an unparalleled opportunity for Nitches to display its potential as a trusted partner to these premier institutions.
  • With focus areas in corporate clothing, fashion manufacturing, uniforms, and premium gifting, Nitches is poised to revolutionize how sports organizations view their attire needs.
  • The company's engagement with the ALSD event marks a strategic step towards positioning Nitches as a key player within the premium sports industry.

George Gervin to be Honored with a Statue at Eastern Michigan University

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2023

YPSILANTI, Mich., June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- George Gervin, a Detroit native and NBA Hall of Famer, will have his legacy further cemented in bronze at his alma mater Eastern Michigan University. In collaboration with EMU, GameAbove has championed the dedication of a statue in Gervin's likeness to honor his rich legacy. The sculpture will stand outside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. An unveiling ceremony is scheduled for August 2023.

Key Points: 
  • YPSILANTI, Mich., June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- George Gervin, a Detroit native and NBA Hall of Famer, will have his legacy further cemented in bronze at his alma mater Eastern Michigan University.
  • In collaboration with EMU, GameAbove has championed the dedication of a statue in Gervin's likeness to honor his rich legacy.
  • The sculpture will stand outside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
  • His contributions helped Eastern Michigan to a combined 47-17 record and an NCAA College Division Tournament Final Four appearance.

 Janus International Appoints Pete Frayser as Chief Commercial Officer

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 16, 2023

Janus International Group, Inc. (NYSE: JBI) (“Janus” or the “Company”), a leading provider of cutting-edge access control technologies and building product solutions for the self-storage and other commercial and industrial sectors, today announced the appointment of Pete J. Frayser to the newly created position of Chief Commercial Officer, effective June 12, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Janus International Group, Inc. (NYSE: JBI) (“Janus” or the “Company”), a leading provider of cutting-edge access control technologies and building product solutions for the self-storage and other commercial and industrial sectors, today announced the appointment of Pete J. Frayser to the newly created position of Chief Commercial Officer, effective June 12, 2023.
  • Most recently, Mr. Frayser served as Vice President of Sales and Estimating at Janus since 2019.
  • Before joining Janus, Mr. Frayser worked in real estate development in Valencia, Spain and later in a number of roles across the international sports industry with the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball in New York.
  • His efforts have been instrumental in helping Janus achieve the exceptional growth we have seen in his time with the Company.

ANC Named Sports Agency of Record for Discount Tire - Role is Highlighted by Ad Sales for In Venue TV-Visible Signage.

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 14, 2023

PURCHASE, N.Y., June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As ANC embarks down a new road in its long journey as a leader in the digital signage and visual display industry, it's only fitting to have a giant in the automotive industry by its side.

Key Points: 
  • Discount Tire, the largest independent tire and wheel retailer in the world, has named ANC as its Sports Agency of Record.
  • As one of the leading independent tire and wheel retailers in the U.S., Discount Tire – which also does business as America's Tire in parts of California and Pennsylvania – has named ANC its Sports Agency of Record handling sports advertisements.
  • Earlier this year, ANC helped Discount Tire secure a comprehensive advertising package built around TV visible signage in the World Baseball Classic.
  • "We're thrilled about our growing partnership with a leading advertiser like Discount Tire," said Jerry Cifarelli, Jr., CEO of ANC.

WNBA ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH DISCOUNT TIRE AND CONTINENTAL TIRE

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 13, 2023

NEW YORK , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced a multi-year exclusive partnership with Discount Tire, one of the largest tires and wheels retailers in the U.S., and one of its top selling brands, Continental Tire, which have been named the Official Tire Retailer and Official Tire of the WNBA.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK , June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced a multi-year exclusive partnership with Discount Tire, one of the largest tires and wheels retailers in the U.S., and one of its top selling brands, Continental Tire, which have been named the Official Tire Retailer and Official Tire of the WNBA.
  • "The WNBA is thrilled to partner with Discount Tire and Continental," said Colie Edison, Chief Growth Officer, WNBA.
  • Discount Tire operates retail stores in nine of the WNBA's team markets and offers online tires and wheels sales to all consumers across the U.S.
    "We are excited to partner with Discount Tire as a sponsor of the WNBA," said Travis Roffler, Director of Marketing, Continental Tire the Americas.
  • We're thrilled to align with Discount Tire and the WNBA, as three brands that exemplify top performance.

New Era Cap Announces 2023 NBA Champions Collection Celebrating the Denver Nuggets

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 13, 2023

BUFFALO, N.Y., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New Era Cap LLC, the international sports and lifestyle brand and official cap of the National Basketball Association, has launched its NBA Champions collection celebrating the Denver Nuggets and their first-ever NBA Championship in their 47-year history in the league.

Key Points: 
  • BUFFALO, N.Y., June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New Era Cap LLC, the international sports and lifestyle brand and official cap of the National Basketball Association, has launched its NBA Champions collection celebrating the Denver Nuggets and their first-ever NBA Championship in their 47-year history in the league.
  • NEW ERA 2022-23 NBA CHAMPIONS LOCKER ROOM 9FIFTY: This all-black cap features "22-23 NBA Champions" in red, white and blue embroidery on the front of the crown with an applique Denver logo set on the left side of the crown.
  • NEW ERA 2022-23 NBA CHAMPIONS SIDE PATCH COLLECTION: This team-colored cap features Denver's primary logo on the front with a woven NBA Champions side patch on the right.
  • "They came into the NBA Playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference, and the Nuggets maintained their dominance, delivering to Denver its first NBA Championship," said Todd Sokolowski, Director of Licensed Products at New Era Cap.

Michelob ULTRA Becomes NBA’s First-ever Global Beer Partner

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 1, 2023

Michelob ULTRA became the Official Beer Partner of the NBA in 2020, highlighted during the NBA Restart in Orlando, FL with “Michelob ULTRA Courtside,” an award-winning digital experience that allowed fans to appear virtually inside the arena and share in the excitement of the game at a time when joy was deeply craved.

Key Points: 
  • Michelob ULTRA became the Official Beer Partner of the NBA in 2020, highlighted during the NBA Restart in Orlando, FL with “Michelob ULTRA Courtside,” an award-winning digital experience that allowed fans to appear virtually inside the arena and share in the excitement of the game at a time when joy was deeply craved.
  • Core elements of the global agreement include the following:
    A Global Expansion: Michelob ULTRA’s global marketing rights with the NBA, previously limited to the United States, Canada, and Brazil, have expanded across all the league’s global territories.
  • The beer brand will serve as a presenting partner for select NBA Global Games and the global expansion will additionally tip off Michelob ULTRA’s marketing partnership with the Basketball Africa League (BAL), beginning with its fourth season in 2024.
  • A Renewed Commitment across the WNBA: Continuing Michelob ULTRA’s commitment to increase visibility for women's sports, Michelob ULTRA will serve as a partner across every WNBA marquee event.

S+C Communications Announces New East Coast Office, Appoints Former NBA Executive Kim Mandara EVP and Managing Director

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

“At our core, S+C Communications is a team of coaches, counselors and confidantes. We pride ourselves on forming lasting relationships with our partners and their causes. When we started this expansion process, we were searching for a kind, talented executive who puts their mind and heart into all of their relationships -- and Kim embodies that mentality each and every day. She is the perfect person to lead our new East Coast hub and grow our S+C village,” Co-Founder Dave Cieslak said.

Key Points: 
  • The office will be led by former NBA executive Kim Mandara , who has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Communications & Business Development.
  • She will also serve as Managing Director of S+C’s NYC office based out of the iconic One World Trade Center.
  • Mandara brings 20 years of strategic communications experience in sports, entertainment, media, hospitality and global brands.
  • Mandara spent 13 years of her career at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where she directed the league’s corporate communication practice for the NBA, WNBA, NBA G-League, NBA 2K League, and USA Basketball.

WHEN THEY HIT A THREE, BURRITOS ARE FREE: CHIPOTLE LAUNCHES "FREE-POINTER"

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

When a player in the series hits a 3-pointer, Chipotle will drop a text-to-win code via a tweet from @ChipotleTweets on Twitter.

Key Points: 
  • When a player in the series hits a 3-pointer, Chipotle will drop a text-to-win code via a tweet from @ChipotleTweets on Twitter.
  • The first 300 fans to text the designated code to 888222 will receive a free entrée from Chipotle*.
  • Chipotle is launching "Free-Pointer" for a championship matchup featuring two of the top 3-point-shooting teams from the 2023 playoffs, so fans can expect many buckets and many free burritos.
  • "Like a well-timed 3-pointer on basketball's biggest stage, free Chipotle brings people out of their seats," said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle.