The world famous Harlem Globetrotters announced this week that the team will once again embark on an extended holiday tour of global U.S. military bases – the eleventh time in nine years that the “Ambassadors of Goodwill” have entertained U.S. troops overseas.
During the 10-game tour – which commences after Thanksgiving – the Globetrotters will play for the first time ever in Afghanistan, marking 121 countries and territories in which the Globetrotters have performed in their illustrious history.
Made possible by Navy Entertainment and Armed Forces Entertainment, the tour will also feature shows on U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Djibouti, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a performance on an active-duty U.S. aircraft carrier.
“While there is no way to fully express our admiration of the U.S. Armed Forces, it’s an incredible honor for our players to bring the troops a little piece of home, especially at this time of the year,” said Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. “Without the sacrifices made daily by these brave men and women, the Harlem Globetrotters would not have the opportunity to bring joy to families all over the world.”
For the first time ever, the Globetrotters will pay tribute to U.S. troops by wearing specially-designed camouflage uniforms from Russell Athletic in games on the holiday military tour. Also, for the fourth straight year, the tour will feature a specially-created camouflage Spalding basketball, in addition to the Globetrotters’ iconic red, white and blue basketball.
Past Globetrotter military tours have visited nearly 30 U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Belgium, Cuba, Djibouti, Germany, Greece, Guam, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom – as well as tours of Iraq in 2006 and 2009.
Highlights have included a visit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2005 and games on three active-duty U.S. aircraft carriers, including a performance on the U.S.S. Eisenhower in the Persian Gulf in 2006.
The Globetrotters’ 2013 “You Write the Rules” North American Tour tips off Dec. 26.
Sponsored by Howard Johnson Hotels, Greyhound Lines, Spalding and Russell Athletic, the Original Harlem Globetrotters will celebrate their 87th consecutive year in 2013, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans—among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents—over more than eight thrilling decades. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase tickets and team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters’ official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.
