3x3: The Next Generation of Grassroots Basketball

3x3

THE NEXT GENERATION OF GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL POWERED BY:

3x3 BASKETBALL EVOLUTION FROM THE STREETS TO THE WORLD STAGE With over 250 million players worldwide and ranked among the most played recreational sports on the planet, 3x3 basketball is increasingly becoming a key motor for the development of basketball.

1974 3x3 seems to have been up and running forever in backyards, and in urban culture, but in 1974 the first formal 3x3 tournament was hosted in Michigan.

2010 FIBA introduced 3x3 basketball at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. With this, FIBA created rules and worldwide tournaments.

2017 3x3 was included in the 2017 Olympic Games. 8 men’s and 8 women’s teams competed – generating the most interest this sport has ever seen.

3x3 LANDSCAPE: EVENTS The 3x3 landscape consists mostly of one-off events, proving that the model has legs to stand on, and needs an experienced operator to scale effectively.

SPOKANE HOOPFEST

NIKE 3ON3 TOURNAMENT

HOOP IT UP 3v3

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Largest 3x3 tournament in the world

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California’s largest streetball event

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Owned by KG’s Big Ticket Sports

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Executing this event for over 31 years

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25,000 spectators, 6,000 players, 1,500 teams

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Pro Am League (Adults)

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Over 24,000 players from 44 states and 6 countries

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Feeder to FIBA world tour

Featuring DJs, an interactive familyfriendly fan fest, etc.

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National Championship U8 – Over 30

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3x3 LANDSCAPE: OPERATORS Although these one-off events have garnered a massive following, the grassroots space from an operator level is a completely untapped market in 3v3 basketball.

BIG 3 LEAGUE

Jr. NBA 3V3

(Adult Focused League) •

Founded by Ice Cube in 2017

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Launched in 2017

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12 teams comprised of former NBA players compete in a league across the US • Allen Iverson, Baron Davis, Amare Stoudamire, & Mike Bibby all compete in the league

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Boys and girls in the 11U, 12U, and 13U or 8th grade divisions

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League play and regional tournaments to determine who will advance to the Jr. NBA 3v3 National Championships.

FIBA (Governing Body) • Governs across 213 member nations, formed a 3x3-dedicated department in 2010

(Youth Poorly Executed)

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Aired nationally on CBS Sports & Fox Sports

AAU 3V3 (Youth Poorly Executed) •

Launching in 2022 – tried to get it off the ground in 2019 and failed

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Singular event: AAU 3x3 World Championships and some one-off partnered event • Girls Only Events

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Promoted as an opportunity for athletes "preparing for their 5 on 5 school ball and AAU season” not as a stand-alone sport opportunity

• Focused on international competition and elite national teams • FIBA 3x3 World Tour & World Cups are the highest tournaments for national 3x3 teams

EVENT OPERATIONS: 3STEP SPORTS 3STEP has consolidated a notoriously fragmented youth sport industry across multiple sport verticals.

3x3 is a natural next step in the basketball space.

2,500+ LIVE EVENTS ANNUALLY

43

STATES

MILLION ATHLETES

100+ SPORT OPERATORS

AGES 8-18

3STEP’S BASKETBALL DIVISION

3STEP OPERATES ADIDAS & UNDER ARMOUR SHOE CIRCUITS

3STEP’s basketball division has reimagined grassroots sports, bringing together leading basketball operators across the nation.

This consolidation has provided operational excellence & enhanced the competitive experience for athletes. The proposed 3x3 platform would utilize the current 3STEP basketball landscape.

OPERATORS INCLUDE:

ZERO GRAVITY

BIGFOOT HOOPS

WEST COAST ELITE

Largest youth basketball operator in the country, creating a nation-wide reach across all levels.

Operates the most well-known live period events in the country hosted primarily in Las Vegas.

Most expansive and well-known event operator on the west coast.

Also boasts a nationally ranked club program.

PRIMETIME SPORTS

BASKETBULL

USA YOUTH HOOPS

SELECT EVENTS

The largest regional operator in the southwest offering for players 9-18 at all levels.

Affiliation with the Basketball Hall of Fame, operating their premier events.

Largest regional operator in the Midwest primarily operating out of the Pacers Athletic Center.

Most expansive and well-known girls event operator in the country with a scope from MS to HS.

… & MORE

OUR PLAN: DICTATE THE STANDARD 3STEP will formalize the 3x3 industry by creating consistency across a national platform – leveraging current industry leading operators within the 3STEP ecosystem.

The 3x3 platform will focus on athletes ages 9-14 to foster development across the sport.

1

ADD 3x3 TO EXISTING TOURNAMNET PLATFORMS

Expand on the fact that 3STEP is home to nationally leading grassroot basketball event operators primarily focused on athletes ages 6-14.

Utilize existing brand loyalty, facility reach & ecosystems to create 3x3 tournaments in conjunction with current schedule.

Launch with key regional operators and their current schedules.

2

INCLUDE 3x3 IN SHOWCASE & CLUB PROGRAMMING

Utilize the benefits of 3x3 basketball (more shots & touches for each member of the team, shorter games for more competitive matchups, etc.) to train our club athletes.

Use 3x3 during showcases to optimally demonstrate players skills and aptitude in front of college coaches.

3

CREATE AN ASPIRATIONAL PIPELINE

Construct a system that includes regional tournaments and leagues, all culminating in a national championship.

Create media support surrounding the platform that ranks players, tells the story, and educates about the 3x3 game.

OUR PLAN: ATTACK THE INDUSTRY Partner with game-changing athletes and experts in the industry to make a statement generating immediate impact and involvement.

PROPOSED PARTNERS:

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL • • • •

Face and visionary of the 3x3 platform Immediately creates brand equity On the heels of The Mission Tiger program, this platform is consistent with efforts around growing the game and equal access for young athletes Opportunity to involve current brand partners (Papa John’s, Icy Hot, etc.) and continue their philanthropic efforts

STEVE DAGASTINO • • • •

USA Basketball, Dags Basketball One of the most respected basketball trainers in the country with an expansive following Will oversee day-to-day operations of the 3x3 events Previously operated 3x3 tournaments with expertise in rules, communication, scheduling, staffing, etc.

OUR PLAN: MONETIZE ON & OFF THE COURT In addition to the event operations business model, this 3x3 platform will expand to include both endemic and non-endemic sponsors.

BEST-IN-CLASS EVENTS

SPONSOR ACTIVATION

CUSTOMERS WILL PAY A PREMIUM PRICE FOR A PREMIUM EXPERIENCE

GIVING BRANDS ACCESS TO A VALUABLE GENERATION OF BRAND LOYALISTS

At the grassroots level, most operators are town travel leagues or club basketball programs.

3STEP has proven to solve the youth sport activation model across multiple verticals.

3STEP re-defining the industry standard would dictate a higher registration price point.

Leveraging current partnerships and relationships, the 3v3 platform will be monetized to brands looking to reach the youth demographic.

• • • • • •

Top ranked facilities and locations Sanctioned referees Solidified structure and organization Ranked scheduling Platform for national competition Pipeline for recruiting

• UA, Adidas, New Balance, or Puma apparel sponsorship (to compete with Nike’s 3v3 platform) • Title sponsor & naming rights opportunities • On-site activation (Signage, entitlements, product sampling, retail, experiential, etc.)

• Digital activation (B2C ecommerce, campaigns, social posting, surveying, database targeting, etc.)

LET’S GET TO WORK: NEXT STEPS 1. Schedule a working session with larger team to address specific details of the platform and necessary elements 2. Collaborate to determine 1-3-5 year plan & vision, operators involvement, strategic growth, etc.

3. Lock in locations and pre-determined schedule alongside current operators for 2023 4. Finalize and engage strategic media, apparel, and non-endemic partners 5. Determine brand messaging/creative direction and launch plan

PROPOSED 2023 EVENT DATES Atlanta: May 13-14 • Mother’s Day Weekend • Location coincides with NBA broadcasting Boston: June 24-25 • Open weekend in the industry - immediately after conclusion of the spring grassroots season Vegas: July 22-23 • Marquee HS events in Vegas this same weekend, can pair with additional programming and media opportunities