The Harlem Globetrotters are a worldwide icon, representing nine decades of breaking down barriers, acts of goodwill and a commitment to fans that goes beyond the game. The Globetrotters have entertained fans in 122 countries and territories worldwide – introducing many to the sport of basketball.
 
Originating in Chicago in 1926, the Globetrotters began as a team of African-American players that played exhibitions before dances. Harlem was selected as the team’s hometown by Abe Saperstein.  A neighborhood in New York City, Harlem was considered the center of African-American culture at the time. The Globetrotters quickly became recognized as the world’s best basketball team.
 
The Globetrotters gradually worked comic routines into their act and eventually became known more for entertainment than sports. The Globetrotters’ acts feature incredible coordination and skillful handling of one or more basketballs, such as passing or juggling balls between players, balancing or spinning balls on their fingertips, and making unusual, difficult shots.
 
While parts of a modern exhibition game are pre-planned, the games themselves are not fixed. And though their opponents do not interfere with the Globetrotters’ hijinks while on defense, they play a serious game when in possession of the ball. About 20 to 30 percent of a game is “real”. In 1948 and 1949, the Globetrotters stunned the world by twice defeating the World Champion Minneapolis Lakers. 
 
In 1985, Olympic Gold Medalist Lynette Woodard joined the Trotters, becoming the first female to ever play on a men’s pro basketball team and helping to blaze a path for the WNBA. Globetrotter stars Big Easy Lofton and Flight Time Lang have competed three times on reality show “The Amazing Race.” The team has also had guest spots on “The Tonight Show,” “American Ninja Warrior” and “Sesame Street”, not to mention starring in their own cartoon show in the ‘70s and ‘80s – “The Harlem Globetrotters”.