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Los Angeles won league honors in 1972, 1980,
1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988, after winning five times when the franchise
played in Minneapolis.
All of this winning has fans in Lakerland smiling today, as well as some
youngsters at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, many of who
have some life-threatening medical conditions. That’s because Nikco
Sports just announced it is producing a special, limited edition full-sized
NBA Finals championship basketball to celebrate the Lakers’ 10th
title in Los Angeles.
Only 2,009 basketballs, made by Spalding, will be produced to
help raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.
Fans can order by calling a special toll-free number at 800-345-2868
or visiting www.nikcosports.com.
Each basketball is priced at $99 and comes with a numbered certificate
of authenticity to enhance the value and collectibles of the product.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation will receive $7.50 for every
ball sold. There is a limit of 5 basketballs per customer in
order to allow as many Laker fans to join in on this very exclusive piece
of sports memorabilia.
During the past several years, Nikco Sports has raised more than
$1.7 million for children’s charities throughout the country, and
several of the projects have involved teams in the Southern California
market such as the Anaheim Ducks, the USC football program and the Lakers.
The NBA Championship basketball is very historical, with three white panels
containing information on Lakers history and the franchise’s achievements
and honors over the years.
One white panel showcases the official NBA Finals logo and salutes this
season’s 10th championship in Los Angeles, set off by the Lakers
official team logo and the phrase “2009 NBA Champions.”
A second white panel contains Lakers franchise information, including
all NBA championships listed. Included in that section is a notation that
recognizes the Lakers 30 Division Titles, 30 Conference Titles, and 7
retired numbers. It also notes that four Lakers have won a total of 7
NBA MVP awards.
The third and final white panel contains a section entitled “Road
To The Finals” and recaps each series during the 2009 postseason,
with wins over Utah in five games, Houston in 7 games, Denver in 6 games
and the title series triumph over the Magic.
“Only in Hollywood could there be such a perfect 10 script written
for the team, and we’re proud to be able to offer Laker fans a product
that will be savored for many years,” said Nikco Sports president
and CEO Craig Bidner, whose company has continued to give back to the
community since its inception in 1992. “At the same time, it’s
also very special to continue to raise monies for a group that helps local
youngsters who have life-threatening medical conditions and who look to
Make-A-Wish Foundation for continued support.”
During the past several years, Nikco Sports has raised more than $1.7
million for charitable organizations across the nation with the issue
of limited-edition sports memorabilia that has honored amateur and professional
teams, as well as select athletes such athletes as Dan Marino,
Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger, along with Peyton Manning,
Jim Kelly, Carson Palmer, Steve Young, John Elway, David Robinson, John
Stockton, Magic Johnson, Roger Clemens, Ryne Sandberg, Paul Molitor, Kirby
Puckett, Edgar Martinez, Ichiro, Ozzie Smith, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey
Jr., Nolan Ryan, Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken Jr.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children
with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience
with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring individuals
helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the
Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with
65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of
generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation
grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 177,000 wishes
in the United States since its inception. Four chapters serve Southern
California – Greater Los Angeles, Orange County & Inland Empire,
San Diego and Tri-Counties.
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