NBA Nation 2010, Marketing Partners T-Mobile, Kia On The Road Again
April 28, 2010: Even as the NBA playoffs continue to heat on on the court, the league will take its hot mobile basketball playground, NBA Nation presented by T-Mobile USA and Kia Motors, cross country for a series of fan experience stops. Sprite is on the tour as an associate partner.
Now in its fourth season, the NBA Nation tour will travel more than 10,000 miles to eight NBA cities and expects to receive more than one million visitors, according to the league. The first stop will be at Phoenix on May 1, to take part in the “Cinco De Mayo Phoenix Festival.” The tour runs through July 11 in Dallas, also making visits en route to Denver, Los Angeles, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia and St. Paul-Minneapolis. (Full schedule below.)
A customized 18-wheel NBA Nation truck expands into 20,000 square feet of basketball playground providing free interactive basketball activities, as well as the opportunity to meet NBA players and legends. Former NBA 14-year veteran Darryl Dawkins will serve as the official tour ambassador for the second time, signing autographs and serving as a special judge for select competitions.
Among the events at NBA Nation stops will be the Kia Motors Performance Challenge, which tests fans’ dribbling, passing and shooting skills against the clock for the opportunity to win a 2011 Kia Sorento CUV; and the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown, where visitors can perform their best dunks, with one winner from each city receiving a $1,000 prize and the chance to be crowned the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown Champion at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
"We are thrilled to once again tip off the annual NBA Nation tour during the NBA Playoffs to elevate fan excitement with this unique and engaging experience," Gail Hunter, NBA svp-events and attractions, said in a statement. “This year, with the support of our partners, we will again deliver what fans have come to expect from NBA Nation: great prizes, family fun for all ages, exciting competitions, and opportunities to meet members of the NBA family.”
T-Mobile is the NBA's official wireless partner, Kia is the official automotive partner of the league.
NBA Nation 2010 Tour Schedule
May 1-2: Phoenix Cinco De Mayo Phoenix Festival 2010
May 8-9: Denver 23rd Annual Cinco De Mayo “Celebrate Culture” Festival
May 22-23: Los Angeles Universal CityWalk Hollywood
May 28-31: Cleveland Marc’s Great American Rib Cook Off and Music Festival, Time Warner Cable Amphitheater
June 19-20: New York South Street Seaport, Fulton & South Street
June 26-27: Philadelphia Taste of Philadelphia
July 2-5: St. Paul Taste of Minnesota, Harriet Island
July 9-11: Dallas Taste of Dallas, Fair Park