• January 15, 2009

In honor of the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama as the 44th president of the U.S., the Harlem Globetrotters will wear the team's iconic red, white and blue jerseys, all bearing the number 44, during the team's tour stops in Reno, Nev. and Terre Haute, Ind. on Tuesday.

Today's announcement comes less than a month after the Globetrotters created "official" red, white and blue "Inaugural Balls" - basketballs, that is--courtesy of their official ball supplier, Spalding, that were sent to Obama and his family during the holidays in advance of his historic inauguration. As part of their gift to the President-elect, the Globetrotters will also be donating 50 brand new game balls from Spalding to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, D.C., in the new year.

Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, IHOP, Spalding, and America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, the Harlem Globetrotters are in their 83rd consecutive season of touring the world.--Nina Lentini