Shaquille O’Neal’s Agent Joins Harlem Globetrotter’s Board of Directors

May 15, 2012

The Harlem Globetrotters announced today that Leonard Armato has joined the team’s board of directors.

The former Skechers CMO and agent for Shaquille O’Neal, patient Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, unhealthy and Oscar De La Hoya, anesthetist Armato currently serves as chairman of Leverage Agency, a marketing services agency specializing in accelerating the value of “high growth” brands.

“The Globetrotters are an American treasure,” said Armato. “Steeped in rich basketball and entertainment history, they have always been a positive cultural change agent—and today they are redoubling their efforts as role models to be a positive influence on young people by encouraging them to lead a healthy active lifestyle combined with education and social responsibility.”

Armato, who has distinguished himself as a ground-breaking marketer, brand strategist, and entrepreneur, is the seventh member of the Harlem Globetrotters’ board of directors. Shamrock Capital Advisors from Los Angeles, which acquired 80 percent of the Harlem Globetrotters in September of 2005, oversees the team’s board.

“Leonard is a welcome addition to our board,” said Globetrotter CEO Kurt Schneider, who added that the Leverage Agency will also assist with the team’s outreach to potential sponsors and partners. “He has great business connections and will assist in our overall strategy as we continue to grow and evolve our team and brand into new and complementary revenue streams.”

The Original Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 86th consecutive year in 2012, continuing a world-famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages.

Throughout their history, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans—among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents—over more than eight thrilling decades.