New Sports Competition 'The People's Games' to Launch This Month With New York Vs. Los Angeles Showdown

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Those who have dreamed of representing their city in athletic competition now have a once in a lifetime chance at sports stardom. Organizers today announced The People's Games, a new sports concept that offers athletes the opportunity to represent their cities in competition against other US cities in a battle to prove which city has the best athletes in various sports.  The program will launch with a basketball competition and will be played at local venues with local sports legends as team coaches.

The People's Games will tip-off Sunday, March 13th with basketball tryouts throughout New York City and Los Angeles, followed by a "best of three" finals series in early May.  Home court advantage will be determined by a ceremonial coin-toss.  Participants can register for tryouts at www.PeoplesGames.com (or call 800-TPG-3098).  The public will also be able to help select their city's team, participate in a variety of social events surrounding the games, and watch key action from the competition on this site.

New York Knicks legend "Earl the Pearl" Monroe will coach New York's team, and former UCLA great Lucius Allen, who played on John Wooden's National Championship teams and later for the Lakers, will coach the L.A. team.

The People's Games will be conducted in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks and in coordination with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.  A portion of the proceeds from The People's Games will be donated to the local recreation and parks departments in participating cities.  In the future, The People's Games intends to announce additional competitive platforms and participating cities.

Armyan Bernstein, award-winning producer and Chairman of Beacon Pictures, is the Founder and Chairman of The People's Games.  Terry Jastrow, seven-time Emmy Award winner, who has produced and directed six Olympic Games, is the Commissioner and Executive Producer of The People's Games.

"We believe there are great athletes out there who, for one reason or another, never got a chance to have their moment in the spotlight," says Bernstein.  "This is the opportunity for them to play for their families, communities and cities.  They are playing for the love of the game rather than personal glory and will come from every walk of life.  All that matters is that they got game!"

Terry Jastrow adds, "What compels me most about The People's Games is the human drama of athletic competition, the common man or woman in pursuit of their dreams.   As people learn more about the Games, we believe that there will be a groundswell of excitement to participate and cheer on their friends and neighbors. "

Unlike professional sports where star players rarely come from the city they play for, participants in The People's Games must be a resident of the city they are representing, 18 years of age or older, and have no professional experience. Competitors will be selected through neighborhood tryouts to create teams which reflect the heart and soul of the city.

Open tryouts will begin at various locations on Sunday, March 13.  New York City tryouts will take place in the following locations:

• Bronx: St. Mary's Recreation Center, 450 St. Ann's Avenue, Bronx, NY 10454
• Brooklyn: St. John's Recreation Center, 1251 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, NY 11213
• Manhattan & Staten Island: Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center, 80 Catherine Street, New York, NY 10038
• Queens: Al Oerter Recreation Center, 131-40 Fowler Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355

Los Angeles City tryouts will take place in the following locations:

• Balboa Sports Complex: 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino, CA 91316
• EXPO Center: 3980 S. Menlo Ave.,  Los Angeles, CA 90037
• Normandale Recreation Center: 22400 Halldale Ave., Torrance, CA 90501
• Pan Pacific Recreation Center: 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Pecan Recreation Center: 145 S. Pecan St.,  Los Angeles, CA 90033
• Westwood Recreation Complex: 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

For detailed explanation regarding the tryouts and team selection process, visit www.PeoplesGames.com.  Final team New York City and Los Angeles rosters will be announced at the end of March.

SOURCE The People's Games