The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE everybody is gearing up to watch some of the top players compete in the National Basketball Association’s All-Star Weekend on television in Charlotte, North Carolina, Baha Mar will provide an opportunity to view others in person.

Jeff Rodgers, the director of sports tourism in the Ministry of Tourism, has teamed up with Family Office Experiences Sports and the National Basketball Players Association’s THINK450 to bring more than 125 NBA players here for the One Court Bahamas experience.

During their trip here this weekend, the NBA players will attend exclusive viewing parties of the NBA All-Star activities live from Charlotte, local comedy shows and pool-side events. They will conclude the trip with their union meeting on Monday.

Que Gaskins, the chief brand and growth officer of THINK450, the think engine for the NBPA’s active 450 players, said because of security reasons, they can not reveal the names of the players who will be in attendance.

In applauding Rodgers for the role he’s played in coordinating the event, Baha Mar as the host and the Ministry of Tourism and its Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar as the sponsors, Gaskins said they are looking forward to a wonderful weekend in The Bahamas.

“We’re excited that this moment is now here and that we’re going to see the best of what all of us coming together to collaborate on this event,” he said.

“This mid-season point is for them to be relaxing, rejuvenating and there’s no better place for them to come and do that than an island and a location like this.”

Gaskins said that although this is the first time that they are doing it, they hoper that as a result of what will take place this weekend, it will become an annual mid-season stop over during the All-Star weekend.

“Most of the events that we are organising this weekend will be private and closed for the players,” he revealed. “We will be having a viewing party on Friday’s game, Saturday’s three-point and slam dunk and Sunday’s big game.

“One of the experiences that will be opened to the public will be the night club on Friday, Saturday and Sunday where we are hosting different parties and there are some local promoters who are creating events in the Convention Center that some of the players will be attending.”

Additionally, there will be a private pool party, a golf tournament at Royal Blue Golf Course and their union meeting on Monday with the bulk of the players.

Christopher Quincy, the CEO of FOES, said the deal was in the making for about nine months. He too commended Rodgers, whom he met through some friends, who are no longer friends.

“Jeff has been doing a lot of work over the past 30 years with his camp,” said Quincy, who indicated that he also got to meet Rodgers’ son, Jeff, who also helped to get some things done.

“He knows a lot of NBA players, a lot of basketball players, so it was very easy to be able to work with somebody who already has a lot of relationships in the sports world.”

Four months ago, Quincy said during a dinner meeting with D’Aguilar, he was able to develop a working relationship with the Ministry of Tourism and Baha Mar has also gone beyond the call of duty to assist him.

“We’re excited to kick off this One Court Bahamas experience and have a great weekend,” he said. “It’s about the players having a vacation and having a good time.”

D’Aguilar, in highlighting The Bahamas as a destination that nature had fashioned as a vacation paradise, threw out the welcome mat to the NBPA.

“We are delighted and proud to welcome this weekend the players of the NBA union, and all who have come with them,” he said.

“The organisers of this weekend have put together an awesome liner up of activities and events for the players. The Rosewood at Baha Mar has pulled out all of the stops to make One Court Bahamas an event to remember.”

In hosting the event here as the players to “unplug, unwind and rejuvenate,” D’Aguilar said the economic impact of One Court Bahamas will be far reaching for the local community.

Graeme Davis, the president of Baha Mar, said they are delighted to be partnering with the Ministry of Tourism and the NBPA in putting on the One Court Bahamas.

“Baha Mar is honored to support the Ministry of Tourism. Since opening our doors almost two years ago, we truly have been honored to host numerous professional athletes and their families to Baha Mar,” he said.

“To the athletes and their families, who are joining us this weekend, we hope that when you return home, you will cherish new memories of our beloved Bahamas and that you will return here soon to our one of a kind island destination.”

No date has been given on when the players will arrive or depart.