In its first go-around, Slamball blasted its way onto screens, its combination of football, basketball, trampolining (and arena-based contact seen in hockey and indoor lacrosse) bouncing in and out in a couple of years remembered by a larger fanbase than even co-founders Mason Gordon and Mike Tollin thought existed. Now, more than two decades later, investors with big sports pedigrees like Harris Blitzer, Fantatics, VaynerMedia and more have gotten on board for the eight-team, five-week relaunch in Las Vegas.
Today SlamBall announced its TV partner, and it’s another power player in ESPN, which will air more than 30 hours of coverage beginning on July 21 on ESPN (7-9 p.m. ET) and continuing through the SlamBall Playoffs and Championship August 17-19 across the flagship network, ESPN2 and ESPN+.
“ESPN’s multi-year commitment to SlamBall is further validation of the enormous appeal and growth potential of our sport,” said Gordon, who serves as CEO of the revamped league. “The level of interest in our hybrid team sport not just in the U.S., but across the world, has been beyond our expectations for the 2023 season. It’s clear that this is the best talent we have had in the sport’s history.”
“Mason and I couldn’t help but respond to the #BringBackSlamBall clamor,” said Tollin. “Live sports dominate the airwaves these days and audiences are looking for the next big thing. It’s a thrill to collaborate with ESPN in bringing this ground-breaking sport back to the world.”
“We are excited to partner with SlamBall, a league that combines elements of some of our fans’ favorite sports, resulting in a unique game that is sure to entertain viewers across ESPN’s platforms.” said Ashley O’Connor, Sr. Director, Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN.
Detals on broacast teams, production and schedules are in the works, along with on-site plans for Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, where all matches will take place.
The court maintains the four trampolines inside the three-point line. Players deemed “”handlers,” gunners” and “stoppers” — those are the big guys who do most of the heavy hitting — aim at two-point shots (thrown through the hoop other than a dunk), three-point dunks and three-pointers from behind the arc. Four players per team compete during four five–minute quarters, meaning a game, which will last around 30 minutes in total time, fits well into today’s pace-of-game and highlight-driven viewing frenzy.
