Slamball is a high flying and hard hitting live-action human video game that breaks all the rules of traditional sports. Created in an East Los Angeles warehouse, Slamball burst onto the scene in 2002 and captured the imaginations of a generation raised on Xbox and energy drinks. Now, Slamball is spreading out across the world with tournaments and the establishment of upcoming leagues in the US and abroad.
What started from hardscrabble beginnings and six players quickly grew to an eight team league with mainstream television exposure and a rabid fan base. Slamball has attracted top brands as sponsors including Coca Cola, Xbox, Reebok, US Army, Air Force, Radio Shack and more. Many sports luminaries have participated in Slamball as guest announcers for the sport. The list includes Tony Gonzales (Kansas City Chiefs), Jason Seahorn (NY Giants), Shaquille O'neal (Phoenix Suns), Spud Webb (NBA), Mitch Richmond (NBA), Shawn Marion (Miami Heat) and Michael Cooper (NBA).
Slamball just recently filmed their 2008 season at Universal City Walk in Universal City, CA. In February, Mike Tolin, Mason Gordon, and Pat Croce teamed up with IMG, the world’s premier sports, entertainment and media company to develop and expand the extreme sport. In April, IMG Academies, the world-renowned, multi-sport training and education division of IMG, staged a two-week training camp in Bradenton, Florida to identify, recruit and train high-caliber Slamball athletes followed with an NBA style draft. Approximately 120 players were invited to the training camp following a review of 50,000 players who participated in regional Slamball tryouts. Ultimately, only 64 players and 16 coaches were selected to participate in a single-venue season this June. The intent is for Slamball to return in 2009 with eight franchises playing in U.S. cities.
The new company is currently in discussions with broadcast partners to expand the league and deliver televised Slamball competition to audiences in the United States and internationally in 2009. The 2008 season will air on Versus beginning August 31st with the finals airing on November 2nd on CBS. Pat Croce is the league’s commissioner.
Slamball is a high flying and hard hitting live-action human video game that breaks all the rules of traditional sports. Created in an East Los Angeles warehouse, Slamball burst onto the scene in 2002 and captured the imaginations of a generation raised on Xbox and energy drinks. Now, Slamball is spreading out across the world with tournaments and the establishment of upcoming leagues in the US and abroad. 
