Latest news with #HarlemGlobetrotters
Atlantic
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Atlantic
The Most American Wrestler
The world of professional wrestling includes many types of characters: the tough guy; the masked acrobat; the silent killer; the undersize underdog; the wild man; the high-flying heartthrob; the sex god. Over the course of a pro-wrestling event, which may last a few hours and feature several matches, these roles work in tandem as a type of variety show, giving fans many flavors of entertainment. But over the past half century, the headlining star—the one whose name tops the marquee, and who is paid the most money—has usually been someone like Hulk Hogan. Hogan himself was uncommonly tall, blessed with biceps bigger than a baby's head, a booming voice, dozens of repeatable catchphases, and a 1,000-watt personality that could be felt from the cheap seats. Both visually and in his affectations, he was what you might come up with if you were to ask a hundred strangers on the street, or ChatGPT, to draw the prototypical 'pro wrestler.' Hogan, who died yesterday at the age of 71, is by many objective metrics the most famous pro wrestler of all time. Pro wrestling, as entertainment, has existed since at least the early 20th century. But in the 1980s, Hogan popularized a brash and cartoonish style that became swiftly synonymous with the form, at least in America. When the promoter Vince McMahon built up the company now known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which transformed the business by becoming the first to broadcast its wrestling show across the country, Hogan was his agent of change—a muscle-bound pitchman who sold a patriotic vision of strength, heroism, and integrity. (As his theme song went: 'I am a real American / Fight for the rights of every man.') Hogan's superpower was his pure conviction; he embodied outlandishness without a trace of irony, imprinting himself onto the hearts and minds of millions of people, many of them children who would carry their adoration into adulthood. Most pro-wrestling fans will freely admit that the entertainment is at least a little ridiculous. We're talking about half-naked men and women in leather underwear and fake tans who pretend to fight one another, their beefs based on storylines as simplistic as I don't like you. But the unbelievability is part of the point. Pro wrestling offers a digestible fantasy in which good guys usually triumph and villains get their comeuppance. The bad guys aren't acquitted on technicalities or rewarded for their deviousness; they're punched in the mouth, before a roaring crowd of thousands. When Hogan became wrestling's brightest star, this was his essential promise—he was not just a do-gooder who said the right things about loving God and eating your vitamins; he also almost always won. He was like a one-man Harlem Globetrotters, a dazzling showman guaranteed to come out on top. He remained beloved even when he became a bad guy, in the 1990s, popularizing a new archetype of 'cool scoundrel' that upended the entire business by making it unclear which side of the good-versus-evil conflict fans should root for. In his case, it was obvious: You rooted for Hulk Hogan. This success brought millions of dollars, worldwide fame, acting roles, a few restaurants—even as Hogan himself remained something of a cipher. Today, WWE produces hours of behind-the-scenes documentary programming in which its wrestlers speak as themselves. But in that earlier era, when it was not yet publicly acknowledged that the entertainment was predetermined, men like Hogan were careful to stay in character, lest they be judged as phonies. The WWE admitted that the wrestling wasn't 'real' as far back as 1989, but still, Hogan never quite shed the role of 'Hulk Hogan'—never casually transitioned into being known by his birth name, Terry Bollea. Even his reality show, which purported to depict his everyday family life, was called Hogan Knows Best. (His ex-wife Linda; his son, Nick; and his daughter, Brooke, all adopted 'Hogan' as their public surname, too.) Hogan generally seemed to be living out some version of his wrestling identity. In a courtroom, he might admit that 'Hogan' was a character he played for a living; still, he would say this while wearing his trademark bandanna and bleached-blond goatee. As the years went on and he spent more time out of the wrestling ring—his last match was in 2012, but he hadn't been a regular performer since 2002—he extended the logic of his character into real life. When in 2013 he sued Gawker for publishing a tape that showed him having sex with his friend's wife (with the friend's consent), and eventually won a $140 million judgment, he dominated the court of public opinion by portraying the website as just his latest adversary to overcome. (That the behind-the-scenes circumstances of his lawsuit were more complicated didn't matter much.) When audio of Hogan using wildly racist invective, from that same tape, was leaked in 2015, he was excommunicated from WWE—'It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it,' he said in a statement —but negotiated a triumphant return to its programming just a few years later. He was sometimes down, but never out; he behaved as though the fans would always be there for him, and they usually were. This ability to wave away the past and shamelessly present himself for renewed applause was an especially American trait. Like a carnival barker or a veteran televangelist, Hogan wielded his charisma as a cudgel against all criticism. The sordid, tasteless incidents never dinged him for long. Whatever happened then did not matter as much as what was happening now. If he could present as the Hulkster, his muscles rippling and his bandanna tightly strapped on, he could pretend to be the conquering hero even when the truth was more troublesome, more dreary, more human. In pro wrestling, the ability to stay in character is highly valuable; in real life, it's sort of obnoxious. (Try affecting the loudest version of your personality, all of the time, and see how many of your loved ones stick around.) But if your paying customers don't care, there's little downside to maintaining the illusion for as long as possible. Today, America is inundated with public figures who loudly insist they are one thing when they're really something else, who stick around mostly because they refuse to go away. We are surrounded by Hulk Hogans, boisterous personalities who commit to their bit as they try to sell something and unabashedly ignore the truth. Even by the standards of his wrestling peers, Hogan's ability to stretch the truth was something else. And his belief in himself was rarely shaken; no matter the occasion, he could always snap into character and launch into a bravura monologue. Slowly, though, the covenant between Hogan and those paying customers began to crack. The racist tapes were a major blow, even after WWE brought him back; several Black wrestlers refused to accept his apology, calling him insincere. The ugliness of his remarks is still shocking to revisit today—for many fans, they will be his enduring legacy. And his public alliance with President Donald Trump, which included an absurd pro-wrestling-style speech at last year's Republican National Convention ('I know tough guys but let me tell you something, brother, Donald Trump is the toughest of them all'), was just as polarizing. When Hogan made his last WWE appearance earlier this year, on the Netflix debut of the company's Monday Night Raw, he was resoundingly booed by the Los Angeles crowd. It was an ignoble final interaction with an audience he had helped create, though hardly surprising, given his recent reputation. Even so, he was willing to bet on being forgiven: This year he co-founded the wrestling company Real American Freestyle, whose first show is scheduled for August. Ticket sales were soft, and many pro-wrestling fans derided the concept; still, he was going for it one more time, committing to a character who was no longer believable to anyone but himself.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Harlem Globetrotters offering first ever tryouts
The Harlem Globetrotters are gearing up for a historic milestone-and they want you to be part of they approach their 100th anniversary in 2026, the legendary team has announced its first-ever open tryouts. Athletes from all backgrounds are invited to showcase their talents and join the celebration. The Globetrotters aim to build a dynamic roster for the Centennial season, blending elite athletic skills with their signature showmanship. President Keith Dawkins called this a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."We are creating one of the most unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for talented high-level athletes and entertainers," Dawkins said. He emphasized that the Globetrotters are offering fair pay, sales royalties, content opportunities, and community impact programs. Tryouts are set for early fall, with dates and locations coming soon. About 30 athletes will be invited to this next step. The final team will be revealed in November after a detailed selection process. The Globetrotters are widening their search for talent. They've attended top showcase events like the Portsmouth Invitational and the NBA Pre-Draft Camp. They've also added former SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore as a talent recruitment consultant. The team's HBCU legacy remains current Globetrotters proudly represent HBCUs: Randy 'Crash' McClure: An Albany State University alum, McClure scored over 1,000 career points. He's a two-time NBPA HBCU Top 50 selectee and joined the Globetrotters in 2021 after playing Moss: The Grambling State University guard was drafted by the Globetrotters in 2022. Moss made waves at the nationally televised HBCU All-Star Sharpless: A former CIAA Player of the Year from Elizabeth City State University, Sharpless is known for his exciting, high-flying style. These players showcase the rich talent flowing from HBCUs. They continue the Globetrotters' tradition of celebrating Black excellence on and off the court. Over the past year, the Globetrotters performed in 50 international markets and 46 cities across North America. They set 18 new Guinness World Records-one of their best seasons to date. This is more than a tryout-it's a chance to be part of something historic. Athletes interested in joining the Globetrotters' Centennial season can apply now through the official tryout portal. The Globetrotters are ready to discover their next generation of stars. Will you be one of them? The post Harlem Globetrotters offering first ever tryouts appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Harlem Globetrotters to Host First Ever Open Player Tryout in Advance of 2026 Centennial Season
Portal Now Open For A Worldwide Casting Call; Tryout To Be Scheduled For The Early Fall For Selected Candidates NEW YORK, July 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leaders in breaking barriers and making history, the world-famous, Harlem Globetrotters™ today formally announced they will be hosting their first-ever open tryouts to help select athletes for the organization's Centennial season in 2026. In addition to recruitment efforts of elite talent being made through relationships with the global college and professional basketball community, the Globetrotters have created a portal where anyone can apply for a tryout spot. That portal, found HERE is open today for sign-up. Official Harlem Globetrotters tryouts will take place in the early fall with the final team being assembled and announced in November. Exact dates and location will be announced later this summer. The Globetrotters have taken significant steps in the past few months to recruit and raise awareness around the basketball community, with representatives taking part in talent showcases like the Portsmouth Invitational and the NBA Pre-Draft Camp as well as adding former SIACC Commissioner Gregory Moore as a talent recruitment consultant. The organization's goal is to expand, and elevate, the talent in its ranks and to act as competitive offering for men and women hoopers around the globe for both 2026 and beyond. The Globetrotters continue to add a high-quality level of athlete, which has been reflected in recent years in the signing of former LSU captain Alexis Morris and this past year with the addition of 6-5 rookie forward Asanti "Cash" Price (Columbia, SC), who signed a contract with the NBA G League's Texas Legends, the affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. Price was one of six rookies signed to the Globetrotters this past November and had the option to return to the club when his G League time ended, which he did. "We are creating one of the most unique, once in a lifetime opportunities for talented high-level athletes and entertainers, the ability to be part of the Centennial of the most iconic global sports and entertainment property. We wanted to make sure we were not limiting ourselves in our talent search," said Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios. "While the tryout will be open, and we welcome athletes from all walks of life to join us, this is a serious competition that will combine high-level athleticism, opportunities for fair compensation, player revenue opportunities via sales royalties, content opportunities via our distribution partners, community impact through our CSR efforts, and a rare opportunity to take advantage of all the creative assets we have built to literally expand one's career beyond the game. The right athletes will have that special element of 'showpersonship' that the Globetrotters have been known for. It should make for a fun and exciting way to uncover our next group of stars." This past year Globetrotter athletes again set a new bar for excellence on and off the court, bringing their talents to 50 markets around the world and an additional 46 cities in North America. Athletes set 18 new Guinness World Records, the second-most in one season in their history. The Globetrotters anticipate bringing in approximately 30 athletes to the tryout. It will be the first step of a months-long process in selecting the athletes for the Centennial team. The Globetrotters legacy has seen athletes ranging from Wilt Chamberlain to Connie Hawkins to Oliver Miller to Lynette Woodward throughout its history, and the goal is to make sure that talent and legacy go hand in hand into this next stage of growth. ABOUT THE WORLD-FAMOUS HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS™ / HERSCHEND ENTERTAINMENT STUDIOS The Harlem Globetrotters™ are THE originators of basketball style; captured by their dynamic athleticism, unique skill and historical influence on the modern game of basketball. Since 1926, the Globetrotters, proud members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, have used their legendary global tour to showcase their iconic brand of basketball to tens of millions in over 124 countries and territories across six continents. They have expanded the brand by coming back to network television for the first time in 40 years with their Emmy nominated NBC series "Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward" which also airs on Telemundo as "Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad." Content partners include Hidden Pictures, Atmosphere TV, and Hearts Media Production Group; consumer partnerships include, Sprayground, Undercrwn, Macys, Hybrid; and additional partnerships include our official tour partner Jersey Mikes, official ball partner, Spalding, Viral Nation, Hoopculture, and Citi. Coined by the U.S. State Department in 1951 as Ambassadors of Goodwill, the team leverages their moniker to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts around their strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment. These efforts have yielded partnership with the likes of Microsoft, U.S. State Department Sports Diplomacy, The National Archives, 'Great Assist' in partnership with Jersey Mike's Subs, Campus Multimedia Court of Creativity, and Comic Relief Red Nose Day. For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters™ and the Tour, visit the Globetrotters' official website: The Harlem Globetrotters™ is a subsidiary of Herschend, the largest family-owned themed attractions company. View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACTS: Mirian Arias / 917-834-6293Joe Favorito joefavorito2@ / 917-566-8345
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Philly native, Harlem Globetrotter Darnell Artis named head coach of Gwynedd Mercy men's basketball
A Philadelphia native and Harlem Globetrotter is headed back to his alma mater, Gwynedd Mercy University. Darnell Artis will be the next coach of the Gwynedd Mercy Griffins men's basketball team, the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, school announced Wednesday. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 25: Darnell "Speedy" Artis #43 of the Harlem Globetrotters poses before taking a shot from the stands during warmups before the team's exhibition game against the Washington Generals at the Orleans Arena on August 25, 2019 in Las Vegas, playing a few seasons in Brazil, Artis earned the nickname "Speedy" as part of the Harlem Globetrotters, the nearly 100-year-old exhibition team known for their prowess with the ball and penchant for flashy tricks. They're also where Philly legend Wilt Chamberlain got his start. At GMU, "Speedy" was named a first-team selection to the Colonial States Athletic Conference all-conference team three times and named the conference's rookie of the year as a freshman. The class of 2016 graduate helped the D-III Griffins to a championship and is a member of the school's Hall of Fame. Before Gwynedd Mercy, Artis played hoops at La Salle College High School, helping them to the Catholic League playoffs. He's also a co-founder of the UnderDawgs basketball league at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center in the East Germantown section of Philadelphia. GMU formally announced Artis as head coach in a press conference with Athletic Director Keith Mondillo and former head coach John Baron, who coached Artis. Artis shared the news on Instagram and said he will approach the job with "a relentless passion not just to win basketball games, but help young men shape their future." Pat Gallen will interview Artis on the next episode of the "Gallen of Questions" podcast. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Savannah Bananas bring Banana Ball to Bank of America Stadium
The Queen City will host Banana Ball as the Savannah Bananas play the Party Animals in two games at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday and Sunday. Their one-of-a-kind baseball experience is expected to bring over 150,000 fans to the stadium turned baseball field. Advertisement They have been likened to the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball with their fast-paced, entertainment centered games. Banana Ball keeps fans and players on their toes through 11 unique rules. The most notorious rule, according to the team, is that if a fan catches a foul ball, it counts as an out. Headed to a game this weekend? You can expect action-packed plays, fan-participation and lots of fun as the players engage in dance routines, comedic sketches, and other performances throughout the game. Games start at 7 p.m. both nights, but the festivities last all weekend. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Bananas will hold early merchandise sales. A pre-game party and player appearances begin at 2 p.m., and a 'Before the Peel' show starts at 3 p.m. Advertisement Fans were awarded tickets through an interest form and lottery list. Both Charlotte games are sold out. VIDEO: Charlotte City Council approves Bank of America Stadium rezoning petition
