Basketball New Zealand is delighted to announce that the Tall Blacks are now called the MBO New Zealand Tall Blacks as they play through the FIBA Asia World Cup Qualifiers and hopefully all the way to the 2019 World Cup.
MBO is a Chinese refrigeration company that manufactures and sells over two million air conditioners a year and exports to over 80 countries.
The CEO of MBO, Jianguo Gan, says that with the MBO New Zealand Tall Blacks now being in the FIBA Asia Zone and because the team will play China regularly, this will hugely increase the prominence of the team and the already well-respected Tall Blacks brand.
“MBO is a global export company, and we believe the MBO New Zealand Tall Blacks will help us advertise and promote our brand internationally, turning us from a well-known Chinese brand into a well-known international brand,” said Mr Gan.
Basketball New Zealand Chief Executive, Iain Potter, says that New Zealand basketball has potentially a lot to gain from being in the Asia zone as companies with a global presence, see the great potential in associating their brand with the Tall Blacks and New Zealand.
“New Zealand has a strong basketball reputation internationally based on playing hard and achieving greater than expected results. Combine that with the opportunities through the FIBA Asia Zone, which sees our team taking the stage in front of huge audiences, and you have a very attractive property.
“Going forward the MBO New Zealand Tall Blacks will be one of the most visible New Zealand brands in Asia. MBO have seen this potential and we are grateful that they have chosen our national team to be their global partner,” said Mr Potter.
Tall Blacks v Korea, 23 November, TSB Bank Arena, Wellington: Tickets on sale now via www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Group A – Tests
New Zealand is in Group A for the first window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, along with China, South Korea and Hong Kong.
The top three will progress and carry points through to next window of qualifying.
• 23 November v South Korea, Wellington
• 26 November v Hong Kong, away
• 23 February v China, away
• 26 February v South Korea, away
• 28 June v Hong Kong, NZ. Venue TBA.
• 1 July v China, NZ. Venue TBA.
