Presby and Novant Become "Level 23" Partner
March 9, 2012
Photos: Level 23 Photo Gallery
Video: Level 23 Press Conference | Level 23 Interviews
Bobcats Sports & Entertainment (BSE) today announced a historic collaboration between BSE Chairman Michael Jordan and team sponsor Presbyterian Healthcare. The new agreement renews and enhances the existing partnership between the two organizations, while also allowing Presbyterian Healthcare and Novant Health to utilize Jordan in advertising, including television and print.
"I have seen the level of care and commitment that the doctors and staff of Presbyterian Healthcare have shown our players and our entire organization," said Jordan. "I am proud to have Presbyterian Healthcare and Novant Health as part of our team and to aid their efforts in improving the lives of the people in the communities they serve."
As part of the agreement, Presbyterian Healthcare will remain the official healthcare provider of BSE, continuing to provide care and treatment for Bobcats players and staff and supply medical services for all events at Time Warner Cable Arena. In addition to providing emergency medical services and operating three in-arena care centers, the arena is linked electronically to Presbyterian Hospital so that X-ray images can be digitized and transferred instantaneously, allowing medical specialists at the hospital instant access for quicker diagnoses. Presbyterian will also continue its current status as naming rights partner of the team’s practice court, the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center.
"Presbyterian Healthcare has enjoyed partnering with Bobcats Sports & Entertainment and working with Michael specifically through Cats Care and other community outreach efforts," said Novant Health President & CEO Carl Armato. "Expanding our relationship makes sense and gives us the opportunity to further collaborate."
The enhanced partnership is part of the continued commitment of BSE, Presbyterian Healthcare and Novant Health to improve the health and safety of children and adults in the greater Charlotte community and beyond. By using platforms such as a branded area on the Time Warner Cable Arena concourse, in-arena public service announcements and an "Ask the Doctor" feature on bobcats.com, fans will be able to receive health tips and facts and have continuous dialogue with healthcare specialists.
BSE also announced that nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon Dr. Glenn Perry, whose Perry Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is part of the Novant Medical Group, will remain as the Bobcats lead team physician, working closely with Presbyterian Healthcare and its staff to provide care for the team’s players.
"Dr. Perry is a skilled specialist who has been a valuable member of our medical team for each of our eight seasons, and Presbyterian’s orthopedic facilities are renowned for their quality," said Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins. "Since most basketball injuries are orthopedic in nature, this was a very important factor for us in choosing Presbyterian as the right healthcare partner to take care of our players."
The alliance is the first under a new program called Level 23, an unprecedented platform that combines partnerships with the Bobcats and Time Warner Cable Arena with an endorsement relationship with Jordan.