HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS AND THE NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, ANNOUNCE JOINT PROMOTIONAL AND MARKETING PARTNERSHIP

Cooperative Work Will Include Clinics, Educational Programs, Marketing Co-Promotions and Special Events Coinciding with the Globetrotters 2026 Centennial Season

Springfield, MA and NEW YORK, NY   ––  The world-famous, Harlem Globetrotters™ and The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame today announced a new partnership conjoining the history and majesty of the Hall of Fame with the Globetrotters legacy of excellence, community impact, and cultural influence. The partnership strengthens the ties between the Harlem Globetrotters, the first-ever team inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, and the global basketball community through joint promotions, special events, clinics, and other projects where the two organizations can collaborate to drive awareness, engagement and further expand the impact of key initiatives. The full “100 Year Tour” will fully tip off  with Boston and Pittsburgh on Friday, December 26th and roll out across 200+ domestic markets and over 125+ markets internationally. Tickets for “100 Year Tour” can be purchased HERE. 

“The history of the Naismith Hall of Fame and the Harlem Globetrotters are intertwined, and there is no better way to share our stories and broaden our collective impact than working together on all levels, from clinics to special events, not just during our Centennial season but well into the future,” said Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios. “This partnership will connect with people around the world, who enjoy the game of basketball, and will grow that love even more through our goodwill, our athletes, our shared history, and our cross promotional efforts.” 

 “The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame exists to celebrate the unifying power and global impact of our game,” said John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Partnering with the Harlem Globetrotters - an organization that has championed basketball’s core values for generations - allows us to inspire new fans, elevate the sport’s future, and expand our shared mission. We look forward to all we can accomplish together.”  

Fans can expect all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®, epic pre-game Magic Pass experiences, 100 Year limited edition merchandise and many other new innovations for the “Ambassadors of Basketball.” International markets such as France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Mexico, and across Asia are just a few of the many locations the Harlem Globetrotters will be touring in winter of 2026 and running through the remainder of the year.

ABOUT THE WORLD-FAMOUS HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS™ / HERSCHEND ENTERTAINMENT STUDIOS 

Now entering their Centennial season, The Harlem Globetrotters™ are THE originators of applying sport to deliver goodwill, excitement, showmanship, and athleticism to a global audience every year. Since 1926, with a legacy of elite talent that has included many of the greatest stars of men’s and women’s basketball from HBCU’s to Division I, II, III, NAIA, The NBA, and the WNBA, the Globetrotters are the first team ever inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. They have utilized their talents to showcase their iconic brand of basketball to tens of millions in over 124 countries and territories across six continents.

Never ones to stop innovating, the award-winning organization, which currently holds an unprecedented 80+ Guinness World Records, the most of any professional sports team, has expanded its media footprint to make their content available to fans new and old on whatever platform they choose, from EMMY nominated broadcast shows, specials, and feature films, to their own FAST channel, as well as reimagining the memorabilia and collectible space through a new partnership with cllct, with uniforms and other special apparel created by legendary designer, Jeff Hamilton. Content partners include; Hidden Pictures, Vantage Pictures, Aspire TV, and Hearst Media Production Group; commercial partnerships and consumer products include Zara, EQL, IMG, Jerry Leigh, OVO, Shoe Palace, Philcos, and Excel Sports as well as the official ball partner, Spalding and Exxact Sports. Coined by the U.S. State Department in 1951 as Ambassadors of Goodwill, and now serving The Official Ambassadors of Goodwill for the United Nations as well, the team leverages their moniker to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts globally around their strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment. These efforts have yielded partnerships with the likes of the NBA Retired Players Association, Microsoft, U.S. State Department Sports Diplomacy, United Nations: Food & Agricultural Organization, and Operation Homefront.

ABOUT THE NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophall. 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Mirian Arias    mirian.arias@harlemglobetrotters.com 

Joe Favorito    joefavorito2@gmail.com

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame / Kiana Lowe / Marketing & PR Manager / klowe@hoophall.com