Tag Archives: harlem globetrotters

Harlem Globetrotters Open First-Ever Pop Up Retail Location As Part of American Dream Residency

The Harlem Globetrotters today announced the launch of their first-ever brick and mortar retail location, a pop up store at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey to coincide with the organizations historic residency in the state-of-the art entertainment center. The store will officially open on Friday August 9, and will be open through the Globetrotters residency, which begin Friday August 16 and goes through August 25.

The store will showcase historic memorabilia and pictures featuring moments over the decades whilst offering fans the opportunity to purchase uniform replica collections and basketballs from both our past through to our present, a range of apparel items for kids & adults, accessories synonymous with the iconic brand as well as some special, limited edition items including autographed basketballs and other items. It will be located on the first floor adjacent to the court, which is being installed by American Dream’s hockey rink. In addition to the memorabilia and traditional items, the store will also showcase a limited edition tee shirt designed by their own Maxwell ‘Hops’ Pearce, a Globies veteran, world record holder and native of Tuckahoe, NY and SUNY-Purchase College.

“This retail location is another key move to expand the reach of the Globetrotters brand as we head towards our centennial in 2026,” said Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios. “The first-ever residency of a sports organization continues to open new doors for us to engage with fans and widen the footprint of every aspect of our business, be it clinics and games, the first live broadcast in over 35 years (August 18 on Gray Television), or retail partnerships. We are setting a new standard for our business that will bring global opportunities well into the future.”

The Globetrotters will be playing daily during the residency as well as hosting clinics and other special events. One of the highlights of the stay will be the first broadcast in over 35 years, produced by Gray TV’s Raycom Sports, a national leader in sports production and syndication with deep roots in college basketball, football, and pro sports. That game will be broadcast live on Sunday night August 18 at 7:00 PM.

Harlem Globetrotters Announce All-Star Lineup For First Ever Sports Residency At American Dream

The World-Famous, Harlem Globetrotters™ today announced their lineup of elite athletes for the first-ever sports residency in history, with The Harlem Globetrotters Experience this August at American Dream in New Jersey.

“This lineup showcases a wide variety of our talent. We are giving the fans the Harlem Globetrotters stars of today and tomorrow. Our hope is to provide something for everyone during our residency, with many surprises still to come,” said Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios.

The lineup will include 17 of the Harlem Globetrotters elite stars, including 11-time Guinness World recordholder Corey ‘Thunder’ Law from Chesapeake, Va., Brooklyn native, 6-9 Donte ‘Hammer’ Harrison, a six-time Guinness World Record holder from Hampton University, eight time Guinness World Record holder and dribbling star Rochelle ‘Wham’ Middleton from Atlanta, GA. New York native and three-time Guinness World Record holder Brawley ‘Cheese’ Chisholm, Jahmani ‘Hot Shot’ Swanson, at 5’4’ the shortest and one of the most inspiring Globetrotters, Pawel ‘Dazzle’ Kidoń, the first Harlem Globetrotter player ever from Poland and a world champion basketball freestyler, and rookie Arysia ‘Ace’ Porter from San Antonio, TX, who holds a record for most points in a single game at her alma mater St. Mary’s University and is one of the record-breaking seven women now playing on the Globetrotters worldwide. Several additions and surprises will also be added as the residency nears.

The team will be coached by Chris ‘Handles’ Franklin and Globetrotter legend, ‘Sweet’ Lou Dunbar.

The lineup for their opponents, the Wahington Generals, will be announced in the coming weeks, as well as additional details around the residency.

The 10-day residency at American Dream, the world’s leading and innovative retail, dining and entertainment destination, will begin on Friday, August 16, and extend thru Sunday, August 25. The historical event will provide 16 LIVE games throughout the 10 days, where the Harlem Globetrotters™ will take on their legendary rivals, Washington Generals.

Additional exclusive offerings for kids and families include:

· The Globetrotter Kids Skill Clinic – Come and train like a Globetrotter! Join Harlem Globetrotters for this exclusive ‘Skill Clinic’ opportunity (available to groups and all visitors). For basketball fans of all ages! Run drills, learn new tricks, take all the shots – and get a chance to be a part of the famous Magic Circle!

· Pre-game Magic Pass – Calling all hoop lovers! This is your chance to show that you’ve got GAME. Bring your family and join the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals on the court before the game to show your skills, shoot some hoops, and get player autographs and photos! The one-of- a-kind 30-minute pre-game, MAGIC PASS begins 90 minutes before tip- off and will create memories you’ll never forget!

· 5th Quarter – All Access – Globetrotter Meet & Greet – After the game, EVERY FAN is invited down to the court for an autograph from their favorite Harlem Globetrotter stars! THAT MEANS YOU! 5th Quarter access is granted for ALL Globetrotter ticket holders for 30 minutes. This is a totally unique experience not to be missed!

· Exclusive Harlem Globetrotters Merchandise – Featuring Harlem Globetrotters branded t-shirts, basketballs, sweatshirts, programs, novelties and accessories

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased via https://www.americandream.com/harlem-globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters Partner With American Dream To Create The First Ever Sports Residency

Leaders in breaking barriers and making history, the world famous, Harlem Globetrotters™ are set to unveil the first-ever sports residency in history, with The Harlem Globetrotters Experience this August at American Dream in New Jersey. It was announced today by both Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios and Bryan Gaus, Senior Vice President and General Manager of American Dream.

“The Harlem Globetrotters have a long and storied history of ‘firsts’ in its almost 100 years of existence and we continue that tradition by partnering with American Dream; making history by creating the first ever sports residency,” said Dawkins.  “This residency, and its many commercial extensions, represents another way to reimagine the experience we bring to our millions of fans. We are excited about its potential to be replicated around the world.”

The 10-day residency at American Dream, the world’s leading and innovative retail, dining and entertainment destination, will begin on Friday, August 16, and extend thru Sunday, August 25. The historical event will provide 16 LIVE games throughout the 10 days, where the Harlem Globetrotters™ will take on their legendary rivals, Washington Generals. Additional details and special events and activities tied to this first-ever residency will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The Harlem Globetrotters, just like American Dream, embody community, entertainment, and fun, making us the perfect partners for this groundbreaking residency,” said Bryan Gaus, Senior Vice President and General Manager of American Dream.  “Our property continues to set the standard as a unique sports and events destination while also complementing MetLife Stadium’s extensive list of events next door. Now, one of the most iconic sports franchises will call American Dream home.”

American Dream has become a destination for major sporting events. The center hosted the USA Curling National Championships in the winter and the National Basketball Player Association’s The Throne – High School Basketball National Championship, in March. Additionally, there are several more athletic competitions and events in the pipeline that will be announced shortly. These events make up a portion of the 500 events held annually at the venue, which also boasts an extensive list of top retailers, fine dining and world-class attractions.

Additional exclusive offerings for kids and families include:

  • The Globetrotter Kids Skill Clinic – Come and train like aGlobetrotter! Join both teams for this exclusive ‘Skill Clinic’ opportunity (available to all visitors) only at American Dream’s Dream Stage (Court A)! For basketball fans of all ages! Run drills, learn new tricks, take all the shots – and get a chance to be a part of the famous Magic Circle!
  • Pre-game Magic Pass – Calling all hoop lovers! This is your chance to show that you’ve got GAME. Bring your family and join the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals on the court before the game to show your skills, shoot some hoops, and get player autographs and photos! The one-of- a-kind 30-minute pre-game, MAGIC PASS begins 90 minutes before tip- off and will create memories you’ll never forget!
  • Coach & Player Chalk Talk – Join the Globetrotter Players and Coach for an exclusive post-game meet-up! Available to all game ticket holders? Sit down and learn all about the Globetrotters game, the plays and skills, and what keeps them winning! Have a once in a lifetime chance to ask questions, be in the know, and get awesome photos!
  • 5th Quarter – All Access – Globetrotter Meet & Greet – After the game, EVERY FAN is invited down to the court for an autograph from their favorite Harlem Globetrotter stars! THAT MEANS YOU! 5th Quarter access is granted for ALL Globetrotter ticket holders for 30 minutes. This is a totally unique experience not to be missed!
  • Exclusive Harlem Globetrotters Merchandise –Featuring Harlem Globetrotters branded t-shirts, basketballs, sweatshirts, programs, novelties and accessories

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased via https://www.americandream.com/harlem-globetrotters

Harlem Globetrotters Swanson, Rivers Join Samuelsson On Home Plate: New York Premiering Tuesday

Harlem Globetrotters stars ‘Hot Shot’ Swanson and ‘Jet’ Rivers join award-winning chef, entrepreneur, author and food activist Marcus Samuelssonin thenewest episode of the YES App original series Home Plate: New York premiering Tuesday, June 18 at 11 AM.

The YES App’s Home Plate: New York series features Samuelsson teaming up with New York Yankees stars and other high-profile athletes and entertainers to visit New York City restaurants specializing in food from the guests’ respective cultures and family heritages. 

The episode debuting on June 18 features series host Samuelsson, Swanson and Rivers visiting Sylvia’s, the world-famous soul food restaurant in Harlem known as “The Queen of Soul Food.”

Samuelsson is a renowned chef and restaurateur, owning multiple restaurants across the globe. He was the youngest chef to receive a three-star review from the New York Times and has won multiple James Beard Foundation awards including Best Chef: New York City.

Standing at 4’5,” Swanson is one of the team’s most celebrated athletes. Born in the Bronx and raised in Harlem, he started his basketball career playing college basketball at Monroe College in the Bronx. The 6’1” Rivers, who hails from Elizabeth, New Jersey, began his basketball career at Wagner College, where he was a two-time all-conference selection and led the team to their most victories during his four-year reign.

Among the episode’s highlights:

  • Sylvia’s chef Marcus Woods explains how his grandmother Sylvia Woods founded Sylvia’s in 1962 and built it up into a culinary and cultural institution still owned by the Woods family that is visited by global dignitaries, celebrities and locals
  • Marcus Samuelsson recalls coming to Sylvia’s to ask for advice for his restaurants, given the amount of knowledge and expertise Sylvia possessed.  Marcus Woods says that Marcus Samuelsson is like family to the Woods
  • ‘Jet’ and ‘Hot Shot’ help season and cook the restaurant’s signature fried chicken
  • Kenneth Woods, Marcus Woods’ father, says that when you come to Sylvia’s the first time, you are a guest, but the second time you come, you are family.

Previous Home Plate: New York episodes have featured New York Yankees ace pitcher Gerrit Cole and his wife Amy, The Sopranos stars Lorraine Bracco and Steve Schirripa, Olympic Soccer Gold Medalist Kelley O’Hara, former New York Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist, NBA Hall of Fame player Tracy McGrady, four-time New York Yankees World Series Champion and Latin Grammy nominee Bernie Williams and New York Giants defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux.

YES launched the YES App in March 2021 for authenticated users in its regional coverage territory, and it quickly became the #1 free sports app in the Apple App Store.   Direct-to-consumer access to the YES Network has been available through the YES App since March 2023.  In addition to providing fans with a live stream of the YES Network, the YES App features a variety of app-exclusive original sports and lifestyle programming similar to Home Plate: New York.

The app also serves up customizable push notifications, personalized content, live stats, play-along games and watch-party functions in conjunction with YES’ exclusive Yankees and Nets telecasts. It has won two New York Emmy Awards in its first two years of eligibility.  Fans in YES’ regional coverage territory can access the YES App by going to www.watchyesnetwork.com.