SlamBall Comeback Set to Relaunch Series 8 in Las Vegas
ESPN carried SlamBall’s short-form comeback in Las Vegas beginning July 21, 2023, as eight teams, including legacy Mob and Rumble, competed in 20-minute, trampoline-powered games that sparked 500M+ social views.
SlamBall returned to the live-sport mix with a short-form, social-first launch that began July 21, 2023 in Las Vegas and aired on ESPN, framing the comeback as a half-hour TV product built for viral clips and short-form distribution. The relaunch featured eight teams, a six-week regular season plus a one-week postseason, and games condensed to 20 minutes to fit a TV-friendly, clip-oriented model.
On-court spectacle remained the headline: SlamBall matches used a 4v4 format with four trampolines embedded in the floor, intentional collision zones, and hybrid scoring that awards two points for uncontested baskets and three points for dunks and 3-pointers. Legacy clubs Mob, Rumble, and Slashers were joined by newcomers Buzzsaw, Gryphons, Lava, Ozone, and Wrath, with the season opener pitting Mob against Rumble, two franchises that, historically, account for three of the sport’s five championships (Rumble 2002; Mob 2012 and 2016).
Leadership leaned into both nostalgia and commercialization. Creator and CEO Mason Gordon framed the comeback as a fan-driven revival, saying, “It’s an incredible feeling to be back, and especially by popular demand. I want to thank SlamBall’s persistent and passionate fans for making this comeback possible and our investors for helping make the dream real. This is a true Cinderella story, only with helmets, pads, and trampolines.” Co-founder Mike Tollin argued the sport has shifted priorities: “The great thing is the coaches aren’t focused on the entertainment value. They’re focused on winning; that’s what’s different about SlamBall 2.0. That first time, it was a TV show. Now it’s a sport, and these guys are all about winning.”
The relaunch marketed social traction as proof of future upside: the league reported the hashtag #BringBackSlamBall exceeded 500 million views across platforms, and leadership linked that reach to recruiting and commercial opportunity. Investor Roger Ehrenberg described the endeavor as a “multibillion-dollar opportunity,” while commercial sports expert Ben Peppi warned that digital strategy was central, noting, “Digital will be absolutely key... Social media didn’t exist, Twitter didn’t exist, TikTok didn’t exist.”
Athlete narratives and viral moments fueled cultural resonance. Players such as Cam Hollins, who grew up chasing SlamBall highlights and later performed with the Indiana Pacers dunk squad, illustrate the pipeline of acrobatic talent attracted to trampoline play. Highlight reels from the relaunch leaned on explosive play: names like George Byrd, Kevin Cassidy, and a high-flying Fletcher were highlighted in viral dunk clips that organizers expect to repurpose into recurring social content.
Operational wrinkles remain: league materials describe the event as the sixth season, while some promotions have used the label Series 8; organizers also identified Las Vegas as the city but did not disclose a single venue in public materials. Beyond the summer circuit, leadership signaled plans for domestic and international events and the potential sale of franchises in future years, positioning SlamBall as both an entertainment product and a long-term sports business with global ambitions.
Know something we missed? Have a correction or additional information?
Submit a Tip
