The Harlem Globetrotters are a worldwide brand and goodwill ambassadors on and off the court.
The Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour, presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs, visited Nashville last Saturday to play two games at Bridgestone Arena.
Created in 1926 by Tommy Brookins in Chicago, Illinois, the team adopted the name Harlem because of its connotations as a major African-American community. The club has a signature song, Brother Bones, whistled version of Sweet Georgia Brown, plus a distinctive mascot named Globie. The Globetrotters have played more than 26,000 games in 124 countries and territories.
We used to watch the team every year on ABC’s Wide World of Sports when the always cranky Howard Cosell would sing their praises and legitimize their artistry in the 70s. A film shown during the intermission on Saturday touched upon the club’s history with clips of some of their most famous stars like Curly Neal, Meadowlark Lemon, and Hubert “Geese” Ausbie. Today, the Globetrotters are back on television every Saturday morning on NBC with Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward, showcasing a new generation of personable players and coaches revealing their unique skills and passions on and off the court.
Before the official game started, both squads were warming up, with the Globetrotters demonstrating some of their famous tricks. Their erstwhile opponents, the Washington Generals, were booed, and trash talk ensued. Both teams included women players. Cheer! And crowd interactions and dancing were part of the fun, along with the antics that the Globetrotters are known for, plus some real scoring. The second quarter included a dunk contest and kids on the court trying to steal a ball from a dribbler.
Halftime featured videos of the current lineup attempting tongue twisters with many references to New York, where the neighborhood of Harlem is located. During the third quarter, a few Globetrotters were intermingling with the crowd holding up play as part of their strategy. Fans didn’t mind; after all, everyone considers the Globetrotters the home team when they are in town, so that is who most folks are cheering for.
The Trotters mix fun with fantastic play. Proof positive is this dunk executed by Diesel Kirkendoll.
In the fourth quarter, the Washington Generals, who were behind, proposed a challenge. Whichever team scored eight points first would win the game. Both utilized their skills to tie it at 6-6, but I bet you can guess who walked off the victors.
Today the Globetrotters are a worldwide brand that proudly promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is an important part of their history because, in the beginning, the team was comprised of an all-Black roster who began performing during a time of segregation – 19 years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. They also were the first to hire a woman in 1985 to play on a men’s professional basketball team. In addition, the squad supports community empowerment, education, and health, so the Globetrotters are goodwill ambassadors on and off the court.
The Globetrotters put on a family-friendly show. In addition, they have Premium Fan Experiences, like the pre-game Magic Pass, warm-up Celebrity Court Pass, the Behind-The-Court Meet & Greet available in limited quantities, and a VIP Bench Premium option.
Thank the basketball gods for giving us the legendary Harlem Globetrotters!
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Reprinted by request from Music City Nashville. Laura Lynch contributed to the writing of this article.
For more information on the HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS and the other organizations mentioned, please visit the following links – Harlem Globetrotters | The Harlem Globetrotters in Nashville – Legendary Fun For the Whole Family | The Harlem Globetrotters Produce Big Smiles at the Bridgestone | Bridgestone Arena
