Sports fanatics like Pat McAfee are rejoicing on Twitter as they discover the return of SlamBall, set to show on ESPN.
The trampoline-based basketball league will be showcased on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The action kicks off on July 21 this year, with over 30 hours of live coverage scheduled, culminating in the playoffs and title game from August 17 to 19.
During its initial run in the early 2000s until 2008, SlamBall was televised on networks like Spike TV (now Paramount Network), CSTV (now CBS Sports Network), and the now-defunct NBC Sports Network. SlamBall creator Mason Gordon announced in August 2022 their return as a live sports league in Las Vegas, and they now just snagged major coverage on ESPN.
The official SlamBall Twitter account announced its return with a Mike Breen-called bang:
SLAMBALL IS BACK.
JULY 21ST ON @ESPN pic.twitter.com/DP0o0izasi
— SlamBall (@SlamBall) June 21, 2023
While exact details of the deal have not been announced, SlamBall will reportedly receive a rights fee and will be responsible for game production. The resurgence of SlamBall can be attributed largely to a viral social media campaign, which generated over 200 million views under the hashtag #BringBackSlamBall.
“Live sports dominate the airwaves these days, and audiences are looking for the next big thing,” remarked Mike Tollin, renowned television producer, and SlamBall co-founder.
As a result of the announcement, fans took to Twitter to celebrate the return of the explosive variant of basketball:
REPORT: Slamball just officially signed a 2-year deal with ESPN.
It returns NEXT month. OMG. 🔥 @SlamBall pic.twitter.com/fEIEHTeizT
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 22, 2023
Even Pat McAfee made a three-minute promo on his podcast, the Pat McAfee Show on the return of the sport:
SlamBall is BACK July 21st..
This is gonna be AWESOME #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/yBXkjiP8w0
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 21, 2023
THE SUMMER IS ALREADY HOT IN LAS VEGAS AND NOW @SLAMBALL IS BACK 🔥🏀⛹️🤾🏾
I’m at HQ with the Legend Coach Carter & Former Slam Ball Vet now Head Coach Sandy Fletcher.
Check out Slam Ball
JULY 21ST ON @ESPN pic.twitter.com/zOenapsvDk— C Wise (@cwise818) June 21, 2023
SlamBall has come a long way, from raising $11 million to relaunch a concept that was conceived 25 years ago, to now being on the brink of seeing its fruits with this ESPN that includes 30 hours of live action this year.