WEMBLEY ARENA'S SQUARE OF FAME HONORS TROTTERS
Source: Harlem Globetrotters
Apr 26, 2008 - 8:29:47 AM
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(LONDON, England) – The legendary Harlem Globetrotters have been honored at London’s Wembley Arena, as Wildkat Edgerson unveiled a plaque in the Square of Fame that fronts the building, celebrating the Globetrotters’ long history with the world famous arena.
Before the Globetrotters’ sold-out show at Wembley Arena in May 2007, Showtime Gaffney cast his hands to create the mold for the plaque. This year’s Wembley show on the “Magic As Ever” World Tour is Sunday, May 18.
Similar to 1982, when the Globetrotters became the first sports team to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Globetrotters are the first sports team to be honored by the Square of Fame, which was launched with a regenerated Wembley Arena in August 2006.
“We are delighted to welcome the Harlem Globetrotters as the first sports team to be honored in the Square of Fame,” said Nick Shattock of Quintain Estates & Development PLC, owners of The Wembley Arena and Square of Fame. “The Globetrotters and the Arena have been associated for more than half a century, which must constitute our longest friendship. The dedication of a plaque to the team in the Square of Fame commemorates this very special relationship and we look forward to welcoming them back to the Arena once again this May.”
The Harlem Globetrotters made their Wembley debut on May 14, 1951, playing their first games at the Empire Pool and Sports Arena. The “Ambassadors of Goodwill”® became regular visitors over the next several decades, performing over 260 times, a record for the most shows in Wembley Arena’s history.
Wildkat also helped Wembley Arena release 500 balloons representing 500 wishes that the charitable organization Rays of Sunshine hope to grant in 2008 with the help of the proceeds from the Globetrotters’ upcoming performance. Rays of Sunshine children’s charity is dedicated to granting the wishes of seriously and terminally ill children between the ages of 3-18 in the United Kingdom.
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