Harlem Globetrotters Honor Their One Millionth Social Media Fan With Surprise of a Lifetime

Globetrotter player surprises nine-year-old boy and his family at home with official Globetrotters gear and lifetime tickets

Fans on social media offered special ticket discount for 2015 tour

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Harlem Globetrotters

Oct 28, 2014, 03:52 ET

PHOENIX, Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The world famous Harlem Globetrotters announced today that nine-year-old Joey "Dribbles" Kearney, on behalf of his mother,Leigh-Mary Hoffmann, has been officially recognized as the one millionth fan on Globetrotters social media—a distinction that carries with it the surprise of a lifetime.

The Harlem Globetrotters logo

Globetrotters star Cheese Chisholm greeted Joey and his mom at their home in Farmingdale, N.Y., with a surprise personal visit, official Harlem Globetrotters merchandise and gear, and a lifetime ticket for Joey to any Globetrotters game anywhere in North America, so he can continue to create great family memories for the rest of his life.

"The Harlem Globetrotters are known for their ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment, and we're happy to see that pure enjoyment transcend off the court and onto social media," said Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. "Last year at this time, our corporate social media platforms totaled 500,000 fans, so to double our following in one year is simply remarkable; we couldn't be more grateful for our fans worldwide."

The Globetrotters reached the landmark, which includes its profiles across its social media platforms on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Vine, on Oct. 19, when Hoffmann posted this YouTube video of Kearney displaying his basketball skills and trick shots on the Globetrotters' official Facebook page.

In addition, the Harlem Globetrotters are thanking all of their millions of fans around the world with a special ticket offer – which will be promoted on their social media channels – offering 25 percent off tickets to the 2015 "Washington Generals' Revenge" World Tour. The North American leg of the 2015 World Tour tips-off on December 26, 2014 and will run through May 2015.

Featuring some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, the Globetrotters will perform over 310 shows in North America, bringing their unrivaled family experience to more than 250 cities in 49 U.S. states and nine Canadian provinces. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit harlemglobetrotters.com.

Sponsored by World Vision, Greyhound Lines and Baden Sports, The Harlem Globetrotters® are celebrating their 89^th consecutive year, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 122 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans-among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents-over more than eight thrilling decades. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase tickets and team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters' official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

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SOURCE Harlem Globetrotters