Nike, Converse and Jordan Brand hosted a press conference in New York City for the World Basketball Festival happening in August. They flew down elite bloggers and media from all around the world to partake in a 4 day event explaining the concept and activities of the WBF.
Power bloggers: Gary from Crooked Tongues, Nick from Highsnobiety, Nick from Slamxhype and Matt from Nice Kicks outside the Standard hotel in the meat packing district.
They took everyone to the Pier 59 – Studio C (Chelsea Piers) to attend this secret press conference.
All we really need is breakfast and our laptops!
We all packed into Stage C to see what was about to be revealed.
NBA stars Yi Jianlian from the Nets and Kevin Durant came out to speak to us about the World Basketball Festival taking place in NYC in August.
Lunch was kind of crazy!
Chopping it up with Chester from Complex.
I had the opportunity to meet Gotty from the Smoking Section and he is real dope dude.
This is the first time in history that these 3 iconic brands will be collaborating on an initiative. After the press conference we got into some product information.
They showed us some of the great product they are releasing specifically for the WBF. The product is pretty dope, fresh and very innovative.
Some musical guest came out during the press conference to perform.
This dude was really dope!
Then Kevin and Yi appeared again in the new uniforms and kicks for FIBA.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this conference.
“This summer, NIKE, Inc. and USA Basketball are planning to bring the world’s best basketball teams and top musical performers to New York City for the inaugural World Basketball Festival, a four-day celebration of the performance and culture of the game, an event that Nike has committed to reprising every two years.
The World Basketball Festival, August 12-15, features basketball’s leading brands within the NIKE Inc. portfolio – Converse, the Jordan Brand, and Nike Basketball.
The World Basketball Festival is a uniquely dynamic event, from the moment it tips off with a showcase featuring members of the 2010 USA Basketball National Team on an open-air court in Times Square, to an unprecedented Times Square performance by a surprise musical act, to the final games of the weekend between four of the best teams in the world at Madison Square Garden.
“The World Basketball Festival will be an unforgettable event for the people of New York City and basketball fans around the world,” said Charlie Denson, Nike Brand President. “Every two years we plan to connect the global world of basketball to celebrate the sport while leaving a lasting legacy within the community.”
From Times Square on August 12, the action moves uptown to New York City’s legendary basketball courts at Rucker Park in Harlem, Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14.
Rucker Park will be home to open-air practices and scrimmages by National Teams from Brazil and Puerto Rico, and training by France, mixed with performances by top international music acts, in addition to a grassroots youth tournament serving as the championships for some of New York’s top summer basketball leagues. Fans will also be invited to participate in clinics here designed to improve training and basketball skills. The two days at Rucker Park will culminate with a special celebration on Saturday, August 14. Details will be provided closer to the day.
The World Basketball Festival concludes Sunday, August 15 with an exciting exhibition double-header featuring the United States taking on France (1 p.m. EDT) and China meeting Puerto Rico (3:30 p.m. EDT) at famed Madison Square Garden.
The exhibition games are being utilized as part of the teams’ preparation for the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship in Turkey, August 28 to September 12.
“We’re thrilled with the opportunity to bring the energy and excitement of USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team to fans and give them with a way to celebrate their team,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball Chairman. “We are honored to have the opportunity to represent the United States in the FIBA World Championship and I can’t think of a better sendoff for our team than the World Basketball Festival.”
NIKE, Inc. will use the backdrop of the World Basketball Festival to debut the United We Rise initiative as a catalyst to improve communities through basketball. Over the next two years, Nike is partnering with USA Basketball and New York City, in particular the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and the New York City Housing Authority, to support youth programming and the installation and refurbishment of basketball courts at 25 Community Centers throughout New York City.
“Piloting programs with these 25 rec centers in New York City will allow Nike and other partners to create a new and sustainable model that we can bring to other communities in years to come,” added Denson.
Nike is committed to leaving every court it uses throughout the World Basketball Festival in better shape than what it was at the beginning including dedicating the hardwood courts that will be used in Times Square and Rucker Park to locations where courts are still needed in New York City.”
