MOLTEN RENEWS SPONSORSHIP OF BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Molten, the world’s largest manufacturer of inflatable sports balls, has renewed its sponsorship of the British Basketball League (BBL) for a second three-year term.
The new three-year deal, which commences this month (September 2009), sees Molten’s distinctive, 12-panel G-Series basketball, once again, as the exclusive and official BBL league and club ball.
The sponsorship package includes two elements, namely a substantial supply of the Molten G-Series professional basketballs and funding. While the balls will be used in all BBL games, cup games and championship finals, as well as all junior development programmes, community projects by BBL Clubs and any other events which the BBL undertakes, the cash is to be directly invested by BBL in a scheme to develop basketball in the clubs’ communities.
A further element of the sponsorship agreement means that all Molten products, including digital scoreboards, continue to be available exclusively online via the BBL web site ( www.bbl.org.uk ).
Bob Hope, chairman of Molten Sports and one of the original founders of the League, said: “We are very pleased to be in a position to continue our sponsorship of the British Basketball League for a second three-year term, despite the current economic climate. We feel it is vital that the top UK professional teams play with the latest basketball equipment in the build up to London 2012 and we have been able to continue our sponsorship following strong basketball sales over the year, which have increased by over 35%. In addition, we have developed an excellent working relationship with the BBL over the past three years and are looking forward to developing it even further over the coming years and assisting them, not only with a supply of balls, but also in helping to improve club development and competition.”
He continued: “Indeed sponsorship of the League fits in well with our programme of basketball sponsorship, which currently includes all FIBA international events and all the GB Teams, the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association, Basketball Ireland, Basketball Wales, England Schools Basketball and Mini-Basketball England.”
Paul Blake, chairman, British Basketball League added: “Our clubs use the Molten range of basketballs across all elements of their business from community work right the way through to the top level BBL Competitions. We feel the Molten basketballs are, by some distance, the best in the business and hence we are delighted to be extending this deal for a further three year period.”
- ENDS -
Digital images of the Molten G-Series basketball as well as action shots are available on request. Or click on this link to download a high res action image:
http://www.penelopejamespr.com/images/BBLDarrenMills.jpg
For further information regarding:
Molten please contact: British Basketball League please contact:
Penelope James Andy Webb
Penelope James Public Relations British Basketball League
Tel: 01303 844555 Tel: 0870 445 0606
E-mail:
penelope@penelopejamespr.com E-mail:
andy.webb@bbl.org.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE
The BBL - British Basketball League - is an independent company, owned by its member clubs, which has run the top men's professional league in the UK since 1987. It operates a system of franchises over the UK stretching from Plymouth in the south west to Glasgow north of the border.
The BBL is a major contributor to the development of the sport at all levels and its member clubs place a large emphasis on work undertaken in their local communities.
Contact BBL on T: 0870 445 0606 (UK only), E:
mail@bbl.org.uk , Web:
www.bbl.org.uk
MOLTEN
The Molten Corporation manufactures a wide range of sports balls from soccer balls and basketballs, to volleyballs and netballs. Established in Hiroshima, Japan in 1958, the corporation boasts unparalleled international recognition of its ball products. Molten Sports is the dedicated distributor of Molten products in the UK and Ireland.
Molten’s G-series basketball, is the new global standard in basketballs. The Molten patented G-Series basketball is manufactured in 12 panels, rather than the traditional design of eight panels. It was heralded by the basketball industry as an inspired technological development when it was launched in 2004 and was immediately approved by FIBA (International Basketball Federation). It has been used in all FIBA competitions worldwide since September 2004 and is currently the official game ball for the following events
GB Team – 2009–2012
Great Britain Wheelchair National League - 2006-20012
Basketball Ireland – 2008 - 2012
British Basketball League (BBL) - 2009-2012
Word Championships for Men – Japan 2006 & Turkey 2010
World Championships for Women – Brazil 2010
World Wheelchair Championships – Birmingham 2010
Olympic Games - London 2012
Contact Molten Sports on T: 0800 298 8217, E:
info@moltensports.co.uk, Web:
www.moltensports.co.uk