NBA launching furniture program in Oct.
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, October 3, 2005
New York — The National Basketball Assn. is hoping for a slam dunk this fall with the launch of NBA at Home, a line of basketball-themed home furnishings and accessories.
The collection of leather sofas, chairs and ottomans, accent tables, barstools, area rugs, LCD televisions and a coin-free soda vending machine for home use will be exhibited at the October High Point market in Plaza Suites, 2-305.
Professional basketball players, as yet unidentified, may be on hand to help promote the launch.
The items, designed for ardent basketball fans and as game room décor, can be customized with a favorite team name or league logo.
Some products, including the accent tables, were shown at the last October market by SportFan Furniture's U.S. distributor, casual dining producer Dinaire Furniture. The upcoming market will be the first time all the licensed products will be grouped together.
NBA at Home will be avai-lable at the NBA Store in New York or through its Web site, www.NBAStore.com.
The NBA also hopes to place the line in furniture, home and leisure specialty stores nationwide.
"Now more than ever, people are creating and personalizing their own distinct space in the home," said Sal LaRocca, NBA senior vice president of global merchandising. "With the NBA at Home collection, basketball fans can choose high-quality products at a range of price points to make their space truly unique and special."
This line is "an ideal option for the fan, interior designer or anyone looking to add NBA flair to their home," he added.
Suggested retail prices for products in the collection are:
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Leather sofas, chairs, ottomans and accent pillows from Canadian-based Legendary Leather, $60 to $1,700. Produced in Canada of Italian leather.
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Tables featuring laser-cut tabletops, frosted glass tabletops or printed images in metal frames from SportFan Furniture, $580 to $640.
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Barstools, in bar- and counter-height styles, also from SportFan, $430 to $450.
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Woolblend area rugs from Anglo Oriental, imported from China and India, $300 to $500.
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Vending machines with NBA panels from Maytag, from $540.
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LCD televisions from Hannspree, $400 to $1,300.
Additional licensed goods include window coverings (3 Day Blinds), woven throws (Biederlack, The Northwest Co.), wallcoverings (Teamworks), juvenile bedding (Dan River) and outdoor accessories (Team Sports America).
