After a hiatus of over 20 years, SlamBall is ready to make its long-awaited return — and it’s bringing along a huge list of high-profile investors.

The hybrid sport combining basketball and football with trampolines will return in July with a six-week regular season and one week of playoffs in Las Vegas.

First launched in 2002 by Mason Gordon and Mike Tollin, SlamBall was revived after fans of the early-2000s phenomenon started a social media campaign that racked up 200 million views for the hashtag #BringBackSlamBall.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be back, and especially by popular demand,” Gordon said. “I want to thank SlamBall’s persistent and passionate fans for making this comeback possible and our investors for helping make the dream real. This is a true Cinderella story — only with helmets, pads, and trampolines.”

Television distribution discussions are underway, and Tollin’s Mandalay Sports Media — which produced the Emmy-winning Michael Jordan docuseries “The Last Dance” — is developing a docuseries around the sport.

As part of the sport’s return, which was first announced in August, SlamBall completed an $11 million Series A funding round led by Roger Ehrenberg’s IA Sports Ventures and Eberg Capital.

The round of funding included strategic investors from around sports and entertainment.

• David Blitzer, co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
• David Adelman, co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils
• Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics
• Gary Vaynerchuk, Entrepreneur
• Blake Griffin, Boston Celtics power forward and six-time NBA All-Star

Accelerate Sports provided investment banking services for the round. Tollin and MSM are represented by UTA.

The National Hockey League has announced a 10-year deal to make Fanatics its official uniform supplier.

Fanatics will succeed Adidas as the NHL’s uniform partner starting with the league’s 2024-2025 season. Terms were not disclosed.

It’s the first time the company will slap its own brand on official player uniforms. The merchandising giant already handles the NHL’s e-commerce and retail operations. Since 2018, it has designed and manufactured the NHL’s Authentic Pro product line. 

“Fanatics is a sports industry market leader, and with its proven track record in e-commerce and retail operations, licensed fan merchandise, and performance gear — including the popular NHL replica jerseys and Authentic Pro performance and training products — our players and fans should look forward to what Fanatics will bring to the best uniforms in all of sports,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement.

Fanatics chief executive officer Michael Rubin called it a “seminal moment” for his company: “I can’t wait to see our brand on official on-ice uniforms for the first time,” he said.

Founded in 2011, the fast-growing Fanatics now boasts deals with the NFL, Major League Baseball, NBA, MLS, and the NCAA.

With a valuation of $31 billion, founder Michael Rubin is expanding Fanatics into new industries such as collectibles and sports betting and gaming.

Adidas has served as the NHL’s official on-ice uniform partner since the 2017-2018 season. The NHL announced last summer it would not extend its current deal when it expired.

Magic Johnson’s addition to billionaire Josh Harris’ bid for the Washington Commanders has ratcheted up the intrigue over what will likely result in a world-record price tag for a sports franchise. 

When a winning bidder will be announced, however, remains a mystery. 

Front Office Sports confirmed Johnson has teamed up with Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. Fellow billionaire Mitchell Rales was already a part of Harris’ group before Sportico first reported the Laker legend’s addition. 

Between Harris, Rales, and Johnson, the group has a combined estimated net worth of about $12 billion.

Magic was also part of Harris’ bid last year to purchase the Denver Broncos, who ultimately sold to a group headed by Walmart heir Rob Walton for $4.65 billion. 

Beyond Harris’s group, sources told FOS Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta remain in the mix for the team. All the finalists are under confidentiality agreements.

The word “imminent” has been tossed around by various reports in recent days, with many looking toward the NFL owners meetings beginning Sunday in Phoenix as the likely time and venue to announce a deal. 

But there remains no indication for when owner Dan Snyder could select a winning bidder. Snyder hasn’t even actually stated he’s selling the team, although FOS reported previously that the bidders were told Snyder was selling at least a controlling stake of the team, which he purchased for about $800 million in 1999.