Unprecedented game to be televised live on ESPN
America’s Four Greatest Tennis Champions Rivalry $ 1,000,000
New York, January 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E), an innovative agency combining sports, experiential marketing and media capabilities, announces Inaugural Pickleball Grand Slam featuring tennis legends Andre Agassi, michael zhang, John McEnroeand Andy Roddick compete for one $ 1,000,000 wallet.Created and produced by HS&E and InsideOut Sports & Entertainment (ISE), the 2023 event will be held at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL exist Sunday April 2 will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN 12:00 PM East, followed by the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament.
“Pickleball is a cultural phenomenon – experiencing dramatic rises across gender, age group, geography and income levels. The Grand Slam is a multi-year partnership with Hard Rock that represents a fusion of culture and sport, providing the brand with meaningful Opportunity to interact with enthusiastic fans and amateur players as pickle ball continues to be popular,” said David Levy, Co-CEO of HS&E. “We look forward to bringing together four of America’s most iconic tennis legends for this groundbreaking tournament that heralds a new milestone for America’s fastest-growing sport.”
The Grand Slam marks the start of a five-event partnership with Hard Rock, HS&E and ISE, and showcases HS&E’s innovation, creativity and engagement strategies to drive sponsor brand and business growth. Future Pickleball Slams will be held at various Hard Rock locations. The inaugural Grand Slam will feature two legendary singles matches, with Roddick taking on Zhang, followed by a second match between McEnroe and Agassi. The final match of the day will be a doubles match, with McEnroe and Zhang taking on Roddick and Agassi.The final game will decide the points $ 1,000,000 wallet.
“We are very excited to bring the inaugural Pickleball Grand Slam to Hard Rock at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL,” Say keith shelton, President of Entertainment for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “Hard Rock Live has become synonymous with the big game, and having four of the biggest names in American tennis compete for the largest prize money in pickleball history in a live national broadcast will only strengthen that reputation. We are proud to partner with HS&E at The Guitar Hotel First Grand Slam debut.”
The 2023 Pickleball Slam includes an amateur challenge at Friday March 31 and Saturday, April 1. Will include 96 doubles teams, first come, first served, competing for a $10,000 Team awards and the chance to play two tennis legends ahead of the televised event Sunday April 2. The weekend also includes a Saturday night banquet, which includes a Q&A session with tennis legends.
For more information and to sign up for the Slam Amateur Challenge, visit www.thepickleballslam.com.Grand Slam tickets go on sale February 10.
Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E)
Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E) is an affiliate of Horizon Media, the largest media organization in the United States according to AdAge Data Center 2022, and offers a unique and complementary combination of sports, experiential marketing and media capabilities. HS&E’s core focus is IP Creation and Monetization, Strategic Consulting and Consulting, Media Rights, Sponsorship, Sales and Experience, Metaverse and Web3.0 Strategy and Activation. HS&E is led by Co-CEOs David Levy and Criswell.
Horizon Media
According to AdAge Data Center 2022, Horizon Media, Inc is the largest media agency in the United States, delivering data-driven business results for some of the most innovative and ambitious brands.Founded in 1989, headquartered in New Yorkand in Angel and torontoThe company employs 2,400 people, and the media investment exceeds $9 billion. Horizon Media’s fundamental belief that business is personal drives its approach to connecting brands with their customers and engaging with their own employees, resulting in industry-leading workplace satisfaction (Glassdoor). The company is consistently recognized by independent media outlets for its excellence in customer service and has won several “Best Places to Work” awards, reflecting its commitment to DEI and the life and well-being of everyone at Horizon Media.
Inside Out Sports + Entertainment (ISE)
Inside Out Sports + Entertainment (ISE) is an independent tournament producer based in Los Angeles, founded in 2004 by former World No. 1 and Hall of Famer tennis players jim messenger and former SFX and Clear Channel exec Jon Venison. InsideOut owns and operates numerous exclusive events and promotions, including the Champions Series, Legends Night Series exhibits, and numerous bespoke private and public outings. To date, InsideOut has hosted more than 300 events in 44 states and 12 countries, and is committed to strong philanthropic partnerships at every public event it owns or hosts.Since its inception, the InsideOut campaign has contributed more than $5 million to various charities.
About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is Hard Rock International’s flagship integrated resort and is owned by the Seminole Tribe Florida. The renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination unveils a $1.5 billion The 2019 expansion highlighted the debut of the world’s first and only guitar hotel. Spread across three hotel towers, the resort has 1,271 luxurious guest rooms. Amenities include 42,000 sq. ft. Rock Spa® & Salon; 18 acres of relaxing water experience; private”Bora Bora” style lodge; more than 20 food and beverage outlets; a spacious gaming parlor with more than 2,700 slot machines, more than 200 table games, and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premium meeting space; and 26,000 square feet of walk-up retail The Promenade. Hard Rock Live, ranked No. 5 worldwide in 2022 by Pollstar Magazine and Billboard for gross revenue in their respective categories, highlights top-notch entertainers and performers, sporting events and live productions in an intimate 7,000-capacity setting The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Hollywood is located on 87 acres in the Seminole Hollywood Reserve along State Route 7 (US 441). For more information, please visit our website online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, Call (800) 937-0010 or follow us on: Facebook: Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHollyInstagram: @HardRockHolly.
About ESPN
ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational multimedia sports entertainment brand with an unmatched portfolio of sports properties. It consists of eight US 24-hour television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, Longhorn Network, SEC Network and ACC Network; five offer simulcast services in HD – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS and ESPN Deportes) . Other businesses include direct-to-consumer video service ESPN+, ESPN Audio (broadcast, satellite, digital, podcasts), a range of digital services (ESPN.com and many other sites, ESPN App, Fantasy Games, etc.), multi-screen ESPN3, Global media efforts on every continent, including 40+ network, espnW, consumer and ESPN events.Headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut, ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Hearst owns 20 percent of ESPN.
SOURCE Horizon Media
