Since 1926 the Harlem Globetrotters have been basketball ambassadors to the world. They were entertainment not competition, but they spread the gospel of the game. They did it with Wilt Chamberlain for a few years and with Meadowlark Lemon for many more. They did it in the 1970s with a Saturday morning cartoon show. They did it this past March, going to North Korea to try a little basketball diplomacy (the entire thing was overshadowed by Dennis Rodman).
It’s just a lot harder to spread that message in today’s media market, but the Globetrotters remain a part of basketball history.
And you can own them… if you have a cool $50 million plus lying around.
The team is for sale, Reuters reports.The Globetrotters, known for their trick shots, slick passing and comedy routines, are being sold by their private equity owner, Shamrock Capital Advisors, according to four sources familiar with the process.
The team, which has been held since 2005 by Los Angeles-based Shamrock, is being shopped by Piper Jaffray, the sources said. The process is in the second round, two of the sources said, with the team likely fetching between $50 million to $100 million.
Buy the Globetrotters, they will throw in the Washington Generals for free.
It will be interesting to see who buys them and what kind of changes they will bring.