Gridiron Celebrity Hoops XI



Posted Jan 26, 2008 8:19 AM By Jeff Townsend

Jam Sports & Entertainment’s Gridiron Celebrity Hoops event is a celebrity basketball game with teams consisting of NFL players, prospective NFL draft picks, legendary streetballers and celebrities taking place on Saturday, January 31.   This event will be held at the basketball arena on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson High School of International Studies which is located at 4401 West Cypress Street in Tampa.  The capacity of this arena will be close to 2,000 people so the event should have an intimate feel.  The NFL has officially sanctioned this event which explains the large number of NFL football players that have participated in years past.

Confirmed celebrity players in this year’s game include:  Terrell ‘T.O.’ Owens (Dallas Cowboys), Clifton Smith, Boris Kodjoe (Showtime’s Soul Food), Brian White (Stomp the Yard) and Ovie Mughelli (Atlanta Falcons).   Each team will feature of mix of celebrities, NFL players and streetballers in order for the teams to be competitive.  One team will be coached by Playboy covergirl Vida Guerra while Kendra Wilkinson from E!’s Girls Next Door will be coaching the other team.  Even though there are only a few confirmed celebrity players, the list of celebrities that have played in this event in years past is very impressive – Ne-yo, Snoop Dogg, Ray Lewis, and Jamie Foxx.  Check back to SuperSundayHQ.com for updates on the full listing of confirmed celebrities. 

In addition to the game itself, there will be a slam dunk contest, prize giveaways, and music performances.   Entertainment will be provided by Dawn Richards from Danity Kane and Quennell Mosely from Day 26.   This is a fan-friendly event all around so it is not surprising (and very cool) that the celebrities and sports stars in attendance will be available for autographs and photographs.  Keep in mind that it will be much easier for VIP ticketholders to get to meet the celebrity guests due to their close proximity to the floor. 

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the game will begin at 6:30 p.m.  There are three price points for tickets - $40 for a Outer Court Seat, $60 for a Center Court Seat and $250 for a VIP Reserved Floor Seat. VIP ticket holders will be seating right on the floor and will be very close to the action.  A special gift will be given to all VIP ticketholders which will be signed by all of the celebrities and sports stars that will be a part of Gridiron Celebrity Hoops XI.  Tickets can be purchased directly from the Gridiron Celebrity Hoops website.  This is a charity event and this year’s Gridiron Celebrity Hoops charity recipient is the Junior Achievers.  Junior Achievers aims to assist children who are in the foster care system. 

Before the basketball game begins, there will be a tailgate event happening from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Some NFL football players will be attending the tailgate event and will be available for pictures and autographs.  According to Juli Jordan, the president of the event organizer (Jam Sports & Entertainment), these players will be exclusive to the tailgate event:  “We wanted to give ticketholders a number of different experiences so fans can meet a number of different sports stars and celebrities depending on the event that they attend.”  Tickets for the tailgate event are $10.