NBA Showcases Continued Dedication to International Fan Base

It was three unforgettable days for the 14 lucky winners of the 2010 NBA All-Access Tour, an international sweepstakes co-executed by the NBA’s International Media Distribution department and the NBA’s global television partners. | View Full Photogallery

For the 9th consecutive season, the NBA partnered with several of its international television licensees to conduct an unprecedented global sweepstakes – the 2010 NBA All-Access Tour. For three whirlwind days, 14 winners from around the globe were treated to an all-expenses-paid NBA touring experience of New York City -- featuring attractions ranging from Madison Square Garden to the Izod Center, from The Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty.

NBA All-Access 2010 is the exclusive sweepstakes executed jointly by the NBA and six of its global media partners – BeTV (Belgium), Sport TV (Portugal), Sogecable (Spain), Canal+ Horizons (Pan-Africa), Orange (France), and TPSA (Poland). In each market, the sweepstakes was promoted via a variety of different activation mechanisms including print, on-line, billboards, mobile and television.

Fans were required participate in an NBA-themed contest to be entered into a random drawing for the grand prize. Some partners required entrants to correctly answer NBA trivia questions, while others asked for the submittal of an NBA-slogan for their networks or the creation of an NBA-themed photo.

Upon being informed of his winning entry, Sergio Marquez from Portugal was flabbergasted. He told us, “I tried to remain calm, but my heart was jumping all over, and I could not believe that I’d just won a trip to NY to see the NBA!!”

Over the course of the weekend, the winners were granted VIP access to some of the city’s and the world’s most renowned locations. For all winners, NBA All-Access 2010 would represent their first ever trip to America, for what would undoubtedly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all involved.

Jetlagged perhaps, the group wasted no time in getting started as the activities began promptly upon their arrival in Manhattan. The festivities commenced Thursday evening at the NBA Store in Midtown, where winners were treated to a welcome dinner and a tour of the venue. The next day, it was off to the races.

DAY 1
On Day 1 of the “New York Experience” winners visited the historic Statue of Liberty, and the sobering Ground Zero. In the evening, the group visited the Izod Center in New Jersey to watch an epic basketball match between the Nets and Chicago Bulls. For most, this was their first ever time to attend an NBA game. It was certainly one to remember, as the Nets triumphed in a spectacular double overtime victory.

DAY 2
On Day 2, the group headed to the “World's Most Famous Arena”: Madison Square Garden. This massive facility houses the WAMU Theater and an events arena, in addition to two restaurants and the United States’ busiest train station, Penn Station. The group received a special tour of Madison Square Garden by the building’s tour director who was able to provide all the details of the building’s rich history as the epicenter for New York entertainment.

Following the tour, the group headed to ESPN Zone, where they indulged in an afternoon of sports games, arcade activities, and lunch. The ESPN Zone is the sports network’s premiere dining establishment. The NBA secured a private area, where the winners feasted on food and were able to choose between one of eight High Definition flat screen televisions in order to watch the sports league of their choosing (the NBA of course!). Lunch was followed by a scenic tour of Central Park, as well as stops at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Plaza.

DAY 3
Day 3 kicked off with a trip to the Empire State Building, the tallest structure in New York. After enjoying the breathtaking, 360 degree view from the top, we walked a short distance to Madison Square Garden – to attend a game featuring the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. Prior to the game, the group bypassed the ropes and watched the Knicks pre-game shootaround from the court. Winners had the incredible opportunity to meet Knicks Guard, Sergio Rodriguez and all-time Legend, John Starks. Following the courtside foray, the group made their way to a suite and watched the home team defeat Miami from the birds eye view of a luxury box.

On Monday morning, it was time to bid farewell to the NBA’s foreign guests. Indeed it was difficult to say goodbye but the group will forever be bound by their collective experiences in New York. A fantastic and memorable experience was shared by all involved, with participants reporting having the “time of their lives.”

For the NBA’s Polish winners, the sweepstakes represented not only an entertaining NBA-themed experience, but a respite from the tragic event that recently transpired in their homeland. On April 10, President President Lech Kaczynski and other members of the Polish government were unexpectedly killed in a plane crash. Upon learning of the news of this catastrophe, the All-Access winners from Warsaw were deeply distraught. Struggling to grasp the horrific reality of the crisis, Adam and Gregor bravely preserved, continued their trip, and embraced NBA All-Access.

As the NBA continues its global expansion, its international fan base represents the driving force behind its efforts. Through the annual promotion and execution of All-Access, the NBA demonstrates its unwavering commitment to its foreign followers.

See you next April, for what is sure to be an epic 2011 NBA All-Access Tour!