TORONTO, ON (August 2, 2023) – Standing Room Only Entertainment (SRO), a female-led sports + entertainment boutique agency, announced today the launch of THE MAGIC OF BASKETBALL brand (MoB), co-founded by Kayla Alexander, eight season WNBA player, Canadian Olympian and professional basketball athlete and Kelly Gianopoulos, longstanding sports business executive and Founder & President of Standing Room Only Entertainment.
Inspired by Alexander’s children’s book of the same name, The Magic of Basketball brand is a
transformational 360-degree ecosystem created to address the significant drop out rate of Canadian girls in sport by increasing access and opportunities for young athletes along the basketball development pathway. Connecting diverse girls and young women across the age stage development spectrum (12 yrs. – 29 yrs.) in dynamic environments, The Magic of Basketball builds community by driving engagement
via equitable, integrated, future-forward properties in the spaces of sport, leadership, health and wellness and entrepreneurship.
“This game gives so much to all who play,” said Alexander. “Basketball brings people together from across the globe, teaching invaluable life skills like teamwork, sacrifice, confidence, and so much more. This game gives girls the opportunity to pursue education and careers, create life-long friendships, and encourages healthy lifestyles, but most importantly… this game has the power to change lives forever and for the better.”
The Magic of Basketball brand is designed to empower diverse young women to harness their potential as leaders of the future by creating an intentional pathway and community to champion women from the courts to the boardrooms. It is proven that sport participation helps girls grow up healthy and confident, helps young female leaders rise, and helps C-suite executives succeed. By not participating in sports, girls’ access to opportunities becomes exponentially limited as these youth move from high school to post secondary education and embark on their career trajectory.
“I have experienced the power of sports off the court,” added Gianopoulos. “For me, basketball has been the source of some incredible life experiences, both personally and professionally. As a sports business executive and a mother to my daughter, I am deeply committed to championing females to achieve equity while increasing participation, audiences, and media exposure. It’s about more than just
leveling the playing field. At its core, The Magic of Basketball is about gender equity and empowerment, creating spaces for girls to own their magic.”
The first property within The Magic of Basketball brand is Kayla Alexander Girls’ Exposure Camp, hosted
in partnership with the Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation. The camp is designed to increase access and opportunities for 100 female basketball athletes (Grades 7-12). Nav Bhatia is synonymous with basketball in Canada and around the world. He is committed to inclusion and the advancement of diverse young athletes and is a passionate ally for gender equity in sport.
“I am very excited to be back in Malton to give back to the city that gave me the opportunity here in Canada, said Bhatia. “This year we are partnering with superstar Kayla Alexander for her girls’ exposure camp under The Magic of Basketball umbrella to empower young women, which I support. Our
camp motto is ‘strength in diversity’ and together we are providing an experience for youth like they have never been part of before.”
Returning Gold sponsor, Tangerine Bank, continues their ongoing commitment to empowering youth in their communities through Tangerine Project Forward™.
“As the Bank of Basketball, we are proud to support programs that increase access to the game — this is
especially important and significant for our female athletes,” said Gillian Riley, President and CEO at Tangerine Bank. “Access to sports can be transformative for the development of confidence, self-esteem, and leadership. We look forward to continuing to champion women in sports alongside The Magic of Basketball.”
As part of The Superfan’s fantasy basketball camp, Alexander’s camp is a competitive learning environment that encourages diverse aspiring female athletes to push beyond their comfort zone to be successful in the game and in life. Fresh from a bronze medal at the FIBA Women’s Americup and being named All-Star and Team Canada’s MVP, Alexander has some incredible lived experiences as a basketball athlete that will be a tremendous asset to her camp.
She has competed on the world stage across four continents, both as a proud member of the Canadian National Team program since 2008, and professionally with the WNBA and overseas (Alexander currently with Tango Bourges Basket). Now with The Magic of Basketball brand, Alexander and Gianopoulos are launching an all-in-one environment for female players to engage in all things
basketball within an enriching community and enhance their development both on and off the courts.
Built on a foundation of strong partnerships with local and global organizations, The Magic of
Basketball has aligned with world-class partners such as Wasserman’s The Collective, Momentum,
MLSE Foundation, Toronto Star, Nav Bhatia Foundation, and ICON. These organizations are
committed to investing in girls’ sports and understand the immensely positive impact that The Magic of Basketball will have for next-gen Canadian female leaders.
The Magic of Basketball and Momentum are joining forces to transform the sports experience using creative technology. With the help of Momentum Worldwide’s industry leading Web3 capabilities, they are setting out to create innovative experiences and unite basketball enthusiasts in inclusive communities. Momentum Worldwide’s Creative Technology and Integrated Production teams are pioneers in cutting-edge advancements within the sports industry. Together, they will take basketball to new dimensions with immersive and unforgettable experiences.
“The future of sports depends on merging creative technology flawlessly,” said Jason Snyder, Global Chief Technology Officer, Momentum Worldwide. “Momentum Worldwide has joined forces with Magic of Basketball to remain at the forefront of the Web3 industry. Together, we are committed to building united and inclusive basketball communities, and we are confident that we can make this vision a reality.”
The Magic of Basketball community is supported by stakeholders in the business of sports, from coaches
to industry executives, to female-led brands, to purpose driven media companies and partners all committed to fostering impact through collaboration.
The Magic of Basketball is anchored in a national community for female basketball athletes from the
amateur to the professional level.
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Media Contact:
Tanya Phillipps
VP, Special Projects, Standing Room Only Entertainment Group
647-927-9329 | tanphillipps@yahoo.com | www.sroofficial.com
IG: @magic.of.basketball
About Standing Room Only Entertainment Group
Standing Room Only Entertainment Group (SRO) is a female-led boutique sport + entertainment agency that champions athletes, music artists and personalities in developing brand partnerships, growing community and connecting people through the power of sport, music and live experiences. We believe in the power of doing good, bringing people together and building legacy-defining partnerships. For more information visit SRO.
About The Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation
The Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation is a non-profit organization that is committed to raising money to build basketball courts and camps for youth across the globe. The Nav Bhatia Foundation was started by past Malton resident and Raptor’s Superfan, Nav Bhatia. The first four Superfan basketball courts were built in Malton. The Foundation and the Superfan Brand are currently being managed by Push Marketing Group, a Canadian based marketing agency.
About Tangerine Bank
Tangerine Bank is a leading digital bank that delivers simplified everyday banking to Canadians. With over 2 million Clients and more than $40 billion in total assets, it’s one of Canada’s leading digital banks.
Tangerine Bank offers banking that’s flexible and accessible, products and services that are innovative, fair fees and award-winning Client service. From Savings Accounts to no-fee daily Chequing, Credit Cards, GICs, RSPs, TFSAs, Mortgages, lending products and Investment Funds through its subsidiary,
Tangerine Investment Funds Limited, Tangerine Bank has the everyday banking products Canadians need. Through Tangerine Project Forward™, Tangerine is committed to empowering communities through programs and initiatives that inspire self-confidence, leadership, and acceptance in Canadian youth. With
over 1,200 employees in Canada, the bank’s presence spans its website and Mobile Banking app to its 24/7 Contact Centres and Toronto-based head office. Tangerine Bank was launched as ING DIRECT Canada in 1997. In 2012 Tangerine was acquired by Scotiabank and operates independently as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Twitter @tangerinebank
Instagram @tangerinebank
Tangerine Project Forward is a trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia