The Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) and ESPN Events announced Novant Health as the presenting sponsor of the Jumpman Invitational, with Truist and Lowe’s Home Improvement joining as associate sponsors.
The Jumpman Invitational is college basketball’s newest competition. The website for the Jumpman Invitational explains the event is “the latest jewel in the Queen City’s sporting crown” which sits at the “intersection of culture, entertainment and hoops.”
These dynamic brands are closely tied to the Charlotte area and were drawn to the national appeal of the innovative basketball event and the positive impact it will bring to the local community. Featuring men’s and women’s basketball teams from the original four colleges to sign partnership deals with Jordan Brand in both basketball and football – Florida, Michigan, North Carolina and Oklahoma – the inaugural event is slated for Dec. 20-21, 2022.
“We share a common commitment with the Charlotte Sports Foundation to enhance the quality of life in the Charlotte Region and are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the first Jumpman Invitational,” Jesse Cureton, executive vice president and chief consumer officer at Novant Health, said. “We’re proud to partner with the CSF, Jordan Brand, and Spectrum Center to bring another global event to the Queen City and recognize the talented young men and women participating.”
Joe Smith, head of sponsorship and regional marketing at Truist, agreed.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Charlotte Sports Foundation and Jordan Brand to bring the inaugural Jumpman Invitational to Charlotte,” Smith said. “We look forward to not only showcasing elite men’s and women’s basketball, but also finding ways to give back to our community and engaging with fans in meaningful ways.”
All games will be played in the Spectrum Center in partnership with Hornets Sports & Entertainment. The schedule will feature two games each night, with matchups and game times still to be determined. ESPN networks will air all four games, with ESPN Events working in conjunction with CSF to maximize the event’s success in front of a global audience.
“We are grateful for the support of these outstanding brands as we work together in our quest to create the premier college basketball regular season experience in the country,” Danny Morrison, CSF executive director, said.
The mission of the Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF), a 501(c)(3), is to provide leadership for sports- based initiatives that result in a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in the Charlotte Region. The foundation also provides support for recruitment and operation of other local sporting events, and spearheads Charlotte’s continued growth as a preferred host for premier national and regional sporting events. The events include college basketball’s Jumpman Invitational, college football’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Subway ACC Football Championship Game and future regular season football games including: North Carolina A&T State University vs. North Carolina Central University (2022), the Universities of North Carolina and South Carolina (2023), and the University of Tennessee against West Virginia University (2028).
The board of directors that guides the Charlotte Sports Foundation boasts a dynamic roster of top civic and business leaders. Please visit www.CharlotteSports.org for more information.
