The 25th of January brought reasons to celebrate for many people across the globe for a number of reasons. However, one group of sports fans who ended the day with big smiles on their faces was the Indiana Pacers fanbase, who saw their team win an entertaining NBA game against the San Antonio Spurs, hosted in Paris.

From the perspective of the average Joburger, this event was particularly enjoyable because we had the privilege of being hosted by ESPN. As The Joburg Reporter, we had the honor of covering their exclusive “ESPN Ballers” event, hosted at the Hard Rock Café in Sandton.

The sports channel, which broadcasts on the DStv bouquet, has previously hosted a range of events across the country in a bid to promote viewership for American sports. The NBA, in particular, is popular across South Africa, with a niche of fans who are more than happy to wake up at odd hours of the morning to watch their favorite teams—regardless of the time zone.

Saturday’s affair was a typically sporty one, as both ESPN and Hard Rock Café’s brands collaborated to deliver a well-catered evening. On arrival, guests were invited to walk the red carpet, play games, and enjoy welcome drinks.

In the hours that followed, we heard from representatives of Disney and ESPN before the key event kicked off. After enjoying both the USA and French national anthems, a competitive four quarters of basketball took place, while guests in Johannesburg watched on large screens across the Hard Rock Café.

While the event itself was entertaining, Joburgers made their own statement by showing up in proudly NBA-inspired outfits. The blend of fashion and sporting energy set the tone for what went on to be a memorable night.

Among the activities, guests were invited to compete for high scores on the basketball hoops installed specifically for the evening. The leaderboard kept growing!

In the end, as far as sporting events go, ESPN has set a standard for how to host and entertain guests for global sporting events.