NBA to launch Playzone in Shanghai

NBA-themed indoor attraction designed for children and their families

SHANGHAI - NBA China announced today that the first NBA Playzone, a basketball-themed family entertainment center, will open in Shanghai this summer. The 1,500- square-meter destination will offer families a fun place to experience the NBA in new ways.

Centrally located in the Hubin Dao Shopping Mall at Xin Tian Di, NBA Playzone will bring NBA excitement to young Chinese fans through a variety of basketball-inspired play areas and activities. NBA mascots Clutch of the Houston Rockets and Benny the Bull of the Chicago Bulls will make regular appearances at NBA Playzone, delighting parents and children alike with their comedic routines.

"NBA Playzone marks another key milestone in NBA China's efforts to connect with our young fans and their families," said NBA China CEO David Shoemaker. "We are excited for them to learn, interact and play in a healthy environment."

NBA Playzone features 10 signature elements:

 Mascot Training Ground: Oversized jungle gym with slides, ball pit and zip-line course to challenge adventure-seeking children.

 Rookie Challenge: A soft-play course that challenges young fans to jump, climb, crawl and dunk through a variety of obstacles.

 The Arena: Roughly one-third the size of an NBA regulation court, The Arena is designed to teach basketball fundamentals and develop star players of tomorrow.

 Dunk Zone: Enclosed trampoline space where children can showcase their high-flying dunking skills.

 Halftime Live: Digital interactive area featuring tablets where children can customize characters and interact with them through a gesture-controlled basketball game.

 In the Paint: Arts and crafts area to create custom NBA-themed artwork.

 Measure-Ups: Collection of life-sized player images, handprints and footprints for guests to measure themselves against their favorite stars.

 Party Rooms: NBA-themed private rooms for birthday parties or special events.

 Snack Bar: Food counter offering pizza, coffee, soft drinks and other light snacks. Parents can relax, grab a bite to eat and catch the latest NBA highlights and live games.

 NBA Playzone Store: Offering an exclusive collection of NBA Playzone merchandise, as well as a wide selection of NBA oncourt and lifestyle apparel, footwear, headwear and basketballs for children and adults.