Harlem Globetrotters Partner With NBRPA On Initiatives As Globies Celebrate 100th Anniversary Season

**NBRPA Partners with Harlem Globetrotters to Celebrate 100 Years of Global Basketball Legacy**

Centennial season will begin with a special event at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, December 14

The historic partnership agreement between the Harlem Globetrotters and National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is set to honor 100 years of basketball excellence, community impact, and cultural influence. The Sports Techie community blog is honored to share this story about the milestone partnership because it symbolizes American basketball unity between two storied sport institutions committed to supporting former players and uplifting future generations, worldwide. This sports business alignment between two visionary leaders and CEOs showcases united by a purpose-driven commitment to amplify basketball’s influence far beyond the court. This initiative is led by Charles “Choo” Smith, Chairman of the NBRPA, Keith Dawkins, President of the Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios, and Antonio Davis, President & CEO of the NBRPA — as it further embodies the enduring spirit of teamwork, joy, and service that has defined the Globies legacy for a century. They have utilized their talents to showcase their iconic brand of basketball to tens of millions in over 124 countries and territories across six continents. The NBRPA is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters.

Founded in 1926, the Globetrotters Centennial season starts off with a special event at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Together, the NBRPA and Harlem Globetrotters will honor the past while building a future rooted in legacy, community, and opportunity — ensuring that the joy of the game and its life-changing impact continue for the next 100 years

Through this collaboration, the NBRPA and Harlem Globetrotters will launch a yearlong celebration highlighting the Globetrotters’ 100-year legacy, including:

National Events & Appearances: Joint appearances at community and league events featuring former Globetrotters and other Legends of Basketball.
Storytelling & Content Series: Digital and social campaigns celebrating Globetrotter alumni and the organization’s trailblazing role in sports and entertainment.
Legends Care Initiatives: Programs designed to support former Globetrotter players with resources in health, education, and career development.
Youth Engagement & Clinics: Basketball clinics, mentorship opportunities, and educational activations emphasizing leadership, sportsmanship, and inclusion.

Together, the NBRPA and Harlem Globetrotters will honor the past while building a future rooted in legacy, community, and opportunity — ensuring that the joy of the game and its life-changing impact continue for the next 100 years. As both organizations look ahead, this partnership symbolizes a new chapter of basketball unity — one where every player, regardless of league, race or gender, is celebrated for their impact both on and off the court.

Leadership Quotes

“Being part of the Harlem Globetrotter family taught me the power of connection,” said Charles “Choo” Smith, NBRPA Chairman. “This partnership continues that legacy — bringing together generations of players to serve and inspire. It’s about unity, honoring where basketball has taken us, and using our collective platform to impact the next generation.”

Antonio Davis, President & CEO of the NBRPA, added: “The Harlem Globetrotters have been cultural ambassadors and pioneers for basketball around the world. Partnering with them during their 100th anniversary is both an honor and a responsibility — one that reflects our shared mission to uplift, empower, and unite former players across every league.”

Keith Dawkins, President of the Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios, echoed this sentiment: “Our Centennial season brings about the opportunity to expand our relationships across the global sport of basketball. With the NBRPA, there’s not only a shared history and commitment to our athletes but also for about where we are going in the future. From community events to special projects to our massive global tour, we are looking forward to expanding the reach, and power, of our collective efforts to garner larger audiences around the world.”

Harlem Globetrotters™

The Harlem Globetrotters™ are THE originators of applying sport to deliver goodwill, excitement, showmanship, and athleticism to a global audience every year. Each year’s roster is made up of elite male and female talent made up of many of the greatest basketball stars from HBCU’s to Division I, II, III, NAIA, The NBA, and the WNBA, the Globetrotters are the first team ever inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Never ones to stop innovating, the award-winning organization, which has over 80 Guinness World Records, the most of any professional sports team, has expanded its media footprint to make their content available to fans new and old on whatever platform they choose, from EMMY nominated broadcast shows, specials, and feature films, to their own FAST channel, as well as reimagining the memorabilia and collectible space through a new partnership with cllct, and with uniforms and other special apparel created by legendary designer, Jeff Hamilton. Content partners Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment. These efforts have yielded partnerships with the likes of Microsoft, U.S. State Department Sports Diplomacy, United Agricultural Organization, and Operation Homefront

Information about the Harlem Globetrotters™ and Tour is at the official website: www.harlemglobetrotters.com. The Harlem Globetrotters™ is a subsidiary of Herschend, the largest family-owned themed attractions company.

NEW EXPANDED MULTIMEDIA PLATFORM TO SHOWCASE THE STORIES, SUCCESSES, LESSONS AND PERSONALITIES OF NBA AND WNBA LEGENDS

NBRPA

NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball.

Learn more at www.legendsofbasketball.com. To follow along with the NBRPA, find them on social media at @NBAalumni on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

Sports Techie, my fondest memories of the globies are as a kid back in the 1970s, when our family was living in Bellingham and Redmond, Washington. Back then, Meadowlark Lemon and Curley Neal led the team around the states, providing basketball skills, community togetherness, and plenty of laughs, to all fans in attendance.

https://twitter.com/Globies/status/1970113320083767356?s=20

Their 100-year celebration season is sure to be a memory maker as well.

The Globetrotters together with the NBRPA are set to make that so in 2006 and beyond.

Hoops finest entertainers certainly are an American and global icon.

See you later sportstechie in Seattle, Atlanta and around the world!

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