Change the Game Change Communities

I have not described "Basketball-the-Remix" as a game. This is intentional as the objective of this booklet is to get you to this point and these three questions:

1. Is basketball big business?

2. Do you think the basketball industry can support another independent black-owned franchise?

3. Do you think positive basketball experiences can help people expand and grow?

Over the past decade, both the global and domestic markets have shown the capacity to consume basketball content and a product in a variety formats other than those provided by the NBA, NCAA or FIBA. A variety of playground and alternative basketball programming has been broadcast. AND1's Mixtape programming on ESPN was the most popular and strongest franchise during the height of the Mix Tape Tour. Ervin "Magic" Johnson produced "Who Got Game," and ESPN produced "City Slam." In 2002, Spike TV introduced Slamball. This same market supported Hoop-it-Up 3-on-3 tournaments, local recreational leagues, and tournaments, the AND1 Mixtape Tour events as well many smaller barnstorming streetball crews.

Between 1998 and 2007, AND1 exploited the Streetball market with its MIX Tape Tour and Mix Tape DVDs to establish itself as the leading street basketball brand. Through connecting with the urban streetball culture, AND1 grew its company revenues to $213 million in 2001 and average annual revenues above $150 million until its acquisition by American Sports Good, Inc. However, unlike extreme sports like skateboarding, BMX, and snowboarding that have been able to grow and institutionalize their respective sports, Streetball is in flux.

Though AND1 helped define the market potential of Streetball, AND1 never viewed itself as a steward of the game or the Streetball culture. The founders of AND1 stumbled upon the business. This exploitation of the culture without responsibility to the culture has left Streetball without a defining brand or leader.

I see a tremendous opportunity to identify "Basketball-the-Remix" with the Streetball culture, become a voice, grow the sport and mature the Streetball market. If urban communities adopt "Basketball-the-Remix" as their game, an entirely new athletic form can be created and exploited as sports entertainment. This exploitation is not of players or communities but of the game to create opportunities to serve the players and the community, secure more educational opportunities and build a niche basketball market. The building of a niche basketball market provides the vehicle to participate in the $152 billion annual Sports market.

Image multi-million dollar basketball franchises located within urban communities around the country leveraging their influence and resources to serve their communities. Simply, I believe we can have the best of both worlds. A network of profitable African-American owned basketball franchises with a social cause to prepare young people for life and improve the health and fitness of the community members we serve.