The NBA doesn't hold a monopoly on summer basketball excitement. In 2014, Jonathan Mugar developed an open, single-elimination, winner-take-all basketball tournament. He named it The Basketball Tournament (TBT), and offered up a $500,000 prize. Mugar recognized the opportunity to draw teams from diverse pools of basketball talent for a summer hoops event. With half a million dollars on the line, over 100 teams applied for spots in the field. Leveraging an adept social media campaign, he whittled the applicants down to 32 teams. Featuring former college athletes, players on the edge of pro rosters, and street/pick-up ballers, TBT filled the expanse between the traditional basketball season with a cash-fueled summer extravaganza.
Former Irish Hoop Stars Set to Defend TBT Title
