LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ball Up, the next evolution in streetball, will hit the court nationwide for its first season premiering Sunday nights in HD on Fox Sports Net (FSN), beginning April 3 at 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (times may vary per region). Presented by the Professional Streetball League (ProSBL) as a bi-weekly series, the season will include 10 games featuring the top streetball icons from around the country going head-to-head in a wide-open style game of street basketball. NBA greats will also join the season to lend their talents as coaches, including former NBA player Tracy Murray, three-time NBA champion Rick Fox and the Lakers’ Matt Barnes, among others. Former NBA star Bryon Russell and sports personality Roger Lodge will provide the play-by-play commentary for viewers at home, with legendary streetball personality Duke Tango handling courtside play-by-play duties for fans.
Revered for its display of extraordinary athleticism, including mind-blowing slam dunks, cunning ball handling, alley-oops and unparalleled showmanship, streetball delivers one-of-a-kind entertainment and excitement. Now, for a television experience the whole family can enjoy, FSN will broadcast 10 live action-packed streetball games taped in Los Angeles, CA. The one-hour episodes will give viewers nationwide a front-row seat to games featuring the Ball Up All-Stars, an elite team of players -- many of whom are fan-favorites from the popular AND1 series and known around the world -- taking on a new team of top streetballers from around the country every other Sunday night. Ball Up All-Stars’ roster includes: The Professor (Keizer, OR), Air Up There (Hitchcock, TX), Sik Wit It (Pasadena, CA), AO (Philadelphia, PA), Bone Collector (Pasadena, CA), Springs (Detroit, MI), Mr. Afrika (Bronx, NY), Pat The Roc (Prince Frederick, MD), Violator (Montgomery, AL) and Special FX (Queens, NY).
Rounding out the team is NBA Star Tracy Murray, who serves as the team’s coach and will challenge other NBA greats coaching opposing teams each game.
The first season of Ball Up will also feature a celebrity game pitting many of the hottest stars and entertainers from the Entertainment League (E LEAGUE) as well as NBA greats against the Ball Up All-Stars. The date and location for the celebrity game will be announced at a later date.
“We are thrilled to partner with Fox Sports Net to present a new basketball franchise the whole family can enjoy,” said Demetrius Spencer, CEO and Commissioner of ProSBL. “Ball Up is jam-packed with excitement, including 30 plus dunks per game, phenomenal showmanship and just pure fun. Imagine having the annual NBA All-Star exhibition jammed in every episode of a series – that’s Ball Up.”
“This is pure entertainment for our viewers,” said David Sussin, vice president of programming for FSN. “Every time down the court is another chance for a ‘did you see that’ moment. We’re excited to get Ball Up in the mix for our home team fans.”
The Ball Up series is executive produced by Demetrius Spencer for his company One Media, which produces content for film, television, music and live events, and Shane Duffy for Entertainment League Productions (ELP). The live production of the games, which features live video shows, pre-game and half-time shows, is produced by Paul Kalil for Big Screen Networks (BSN).
In addition to bringing fans non- stop action games, the entire first season of Ball Up will pay special tribute to teammate and legendary streetballer Troy “Escalade” Jackson (NY), who died shortly before the season began. Jackson was also the younger brother of NBA former player Mark Jackson, and was revered for having a heart as big as his talent and ability to entertain.
Following FSN’s broadcast of the 2011 Ball Up Season, look for the Ball Up Tour worldwide. Fans can also learn more about the series, get updates on their favorite player, and even nominate their own MVP for each game through the Ball Up website at www.ballupstreetball.com.
About Ball Up, LLC:
Founded in 2009, Ball Up is the leading streetball tour in the nation, featuring the Ball Up All-Stars which include many of the most celebrated and talented streetball players from around the country. Through its debut of the 2011 Ball Up Season on Fox Sports Net nationwide and tours that span the globe, Ball Up provides the ultimate streetball experience for both fans courtside and viewers at home. In addition to providing entertainment the whole family can enjoy, through its sponsors such as the Professional Streetball League (ProSBL) and partnerships with nonprofit organizations including the National Parkinson’s Foundation (NPF), iHoops, Boys and Girls Club and others, the Ball Up organization and the Ball Up All-Stars are committed to making a positive impact in the basketball world and the global community.
For more information, please visit www.ballupstreetball.com.
About FSN:
FSN is the nation’s leading provider of local sports. Through its 19 owned-and-operated regional networks, FSN serves as the TV home to more than half of all MLB, NHL, and NBA teams. FSN’s nationwide roster of regional sports networks includes FOX Sports Arizona, FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports Detroit, FOX Sports Florida, FOX Sports Houston, FOX Sports Indiana, FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports North, FOX Sports Ohio, FOX Sports Oklahoma, FOX Sports South, FOX Sports Southwest, FOX Sports Tennessee, FOX Sports West, FOX Sports Wisconsin, PRIME Ticket, SportSouth, and Sun Sports. FSN produces over 5,000 live local events each year, including more than 3,200 in high definition, making FSN the most prolific producers of HD Sports programming in the country. In addition to its thousands of home team games and a wide variety of locally produced sports programs, FSN televises national collegiate sports events and programs, including football and basketball from the Pac-10, Conference USA, SEC, and ACC, as well as Big 12 football.