NBA Events to be Held at Sears/Kmart

As part of a deal between Sears Holdings and the National Basketball Association, a series of events will be held at stores to draw attention to a line of basketball footwear.

The Protégé line of affordable basketball footwear is sold exclusively at Kmart and Sears.

The deal calls for a newly created NBA event, called the Protege Basketball Block Party, to take place this summer at Kmart and Sears locations in eight cities, for a total of 32 events.

The “party” arrives in an 18-wheel, 53-foot show truck that transforms into a 4,500 square foot basketball playground. The event features free on-court and off-court interactive activities, including shooting contests, measure-up activities and basketball clinics. To add to the fun, appearances will be made by some of basketball’s biggest names, including current and former players. Protégé-branded premiums will be distributed.

The tour make stops in Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami, Detroit and Chicago, and will be held on Saturdays and Sundays. Consumers will learn about the events via TV, radio, print and online content. Exclusive content will be posted following each event.

There will also be fitness clinics sponsored by Protégé that include basketball experiences and focus on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The clinics will take place during the weekdays.

“The popularity of the Protege brand offering at Kmart, along with the success of our first experiential basketball event held this past February in Phoenix , convinced us to expand the “give back” concept to reach a wider audience,” said Nick Grayston, SVP and President of Footwear, Sears Holdings.