The founders and owner of SlamBall, a high-intensity sport that combines football, basketball, and trampolines have managed to secure some big investors to bring back the sport in 2023
The sport originally came out in the early 2000s, but got disbanded after the creator of the sport and broadcasters could not reach and agreement.
Who is the owner and founder of SlamBall and investors list as league returns in 2023
.@SlamBall is back
Investors have raised $11mil to fund a revival of the basketball-on-trampolines game. Expect a relaunch with a six-week season this July in Las Vegas.
Talks are currently underway for distribution and a docuseries about the league
— Sportico (@Sportico) March 21, 2023
Slamball is officially making its return.
They have raised $11 million from a group of investors that includes Michael Rubin, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Blake Griffin, and the six-week regular season will start in July.
Let's go!!pic.twitter.com/AlYcyRcQci
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 21, 2023
After almost 20 years, since it got disbanded, the crazy sport is set to make a return after securing a star-studded lineup of investors.
SlamBall founders secure investors to bring back the sport
SlamBall founders Mason Gordon and Mike Tollin are looking to relaunch in the summer this year, after more than 20 years. The alternative sport earned quite a buzz in the early 2000s, but got shut down in the U.S. after ratings tumbled down in its second season and agreements for further season failed.
However, its looks like we could see the return of the sport. The founders of SlamBall and their team recently secured an $11 million Series A funding round led by Roger Ehrenberg’s IA Sports Ventures and Eberg Capital. The company is also a stakeholder in the MLB’s Miami Marlins.
Besides them, some other top investors include David Blitzer of Blackstone and founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Michael Rubin CEO of Fanatics, VaynerMedia founder Gary Vaynerchuk, Philadelphia 76ers and David Adelman, the New Jersey Devils co-owner. Most notably, Blake Griffin, a six-time NBA All-Star who currently plays for the Boston Celtics is also an investor.
SlamBall CEO Mason Gordon and Mike Tollin took nearly nine months to secure their full roster of investors. Mike is one of the producers behind the popular Chicago Bulls docuseries titled “The Last Dance”. He also helped launch the league the first time.
With all these new developments happening fast, SlamBall is set to finally return in July. It will feature as a six-week series, including a seventh week for playoffs. All the matches will take place in Las Vegas, and games will last roughly 20 minutes. Three matches will take place each night.
Tollin shared:
We wouldn’t come back until the market conditions were optimal for alternative sports and we had the investor group we wanted”.
Tollin and Gordon further stated made claims SlamBall is to the NBA what the UFC is to boxing.
SlamBall broadcast and live streaming deals
At present, live sports events are one of the few mainstays which continue to bring in high ratings on traditional TV. Most people nowadays are moving away from cable-TV bundle and opting for streaming.
Moreover, streaming platforms like Disney’s ESPN+, Paramount Global’s Paramount+, Comcast’s Peacock and Amazon’s Prime Video have all been securing sports rights along with alternative sports in order to attract more subscribers.
SlamBall’s founders are currently having discussions with potential distribution partners. In the long-run, the founders hope to secure a traditional TV network, a streaming service, and a social media platform.
Tollins and Gordon revealed how they are in advanced talks with top broadcast and streaming distributors. The pair have however, refused to comment on potential partners. Back in the early 2000s when SlamBall first came out, The National Network (Spike TV) aired the sport live.
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