PHOENIX – Position Sports, a subsidiary of Delano Media Group, and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame today announced their new partnership aimed at enhancing the college basketball experience for fans, players, and coaches worldwide.
As part of the 10-year exclusive agreement, Position Sports will own and operate the Hall of Fame Series, a collection of multi-game, singular events that will feature several of the top college basketball teams in exciting non-conference matchups both domestically and abroad.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to continue the tradition of recognizing excellence in the sport and inspiring future generations of basketball players and fans," said Carolyn and Todd Delano, co-founders of Delano Media Group, parent company of Position Sports. "We look forward to collaborating with the Hall of Fame on this new series of games and bringing elite college programs to various basketball communities.”
Among the cities the inaugural 2023 Hall of Fame Series will be played in are Charlotte and Phoenix. Additional locations, along with participating universities, game times and ticket information will be released at a later date.
"We are excited to further partner with Position Sports to expand our mission of celebrating the game of basketball and honoring those who have contributed to its growth and success," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "Our partnership is a perfect match as they share a passion for advancing the sport of basketball and increasing its reach and impact.”
Under the new partnership, Position Sports and the Hall of Fame will collaborate on various elements of the Hall of Fame Series, including securing playing venues and participating teams. Position Sports will also be responsible for event operations, marketing, branding opportunities, game production, ticketing, media operations and social media. LEARFIELD is the current sponsorship management partner.
“Position Sports' partnership with the Basketball Hall of Fame marks a significant milestone in Delano Media Group's growth,” said Matt King, President of Delano Media Group. “As we continue to elevate the sports marketing industry, this collaboration reinforces our commitment to bringing unparalleled experiences and opportunities to athletes, fans, and partners alike.”
Delano (dee-LAY-no) Media Group is a collection of event category experts spread across several business units that produce premium experiences. Delano Media Group consists of Position Sports, Visual Graphx (digital printing), Slapbox Creative (video production), TOKND (event NFT) and the DREAM Foundation (HBCU mentorship program), a family of brands that can provide 360-degree support and execution, including event production, state-of-the-art printing, content creation, public relations, marketing strategy and implementation.
Since 2009, Position Sports has worked in conjunction with the Hall of Fame on a variety of high-profile events, including the organization’s annual Enshrinement Ceremony in Springfield, Mass., the recent London Showcase at The O2 Arena in December, which featured the University of Kentucky and the University of Michigan, numerous college basketball events and the Hoophall series, which culminates in the annual Hoophall Classic, the nation’s premier high school event that showcases the country’s elite high school basketball teams.
College basketball properties, such as the Hall of Fame Tip-Off, Hall of Fame Women's Showcase at Mohegan Sun, and any Springfield-based games, will still be managed by the Hall of Fame, in addition to the partnership on the Chris Paul HBCU Tournaments with the Chris Paul Family Foundation.
About Position Sports
Established in 2005, Position Sports is a premium event production and brand marketing firm that specializes in event operations, activation development, media relations and digital engagement. Over the years, Position Sports has worked with many of the world’s leading brands including Nike, Jordan Brand, Red Bull, the Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN Events, USA Basketball, Upper Deck, MLB, and T-Mobile in nearly every major U.S. city and on a global scale. Position Sports provides clients with an expanded strategic direction needed to succeed in the sports marketing arena, also known as Positioning. To learn more, visit positionsports.com or follow @positionsports on Twitter and Instagram.
About 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 400 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, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.