Red Bull “King of the Rock” Tournament

The good folks over at Red Bull are putting together a unique tournament, titled “King of the Rock”.  For all the big time talkers and fellas who walk around with their chest poked out in the Bay Area its time to prove how good you really are as Red Bull is providing people with a once in a lifetime opportunity.

For 29 long years, more than 1,500 men dreamed of nothing but getting off of Alcatraz. But beginning on July 17, hundreds will try their hardest to make it onto the island, with the goal of being crowned King of the Rock. Red Bull King of the Rock will be the first sporting event held on Alcatraz since the inmates left the island over 50 years ago. This one-on-one basketball tournament will kick off with six qualifiers on the West Coast, with participating cities including: Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Seattle, San Francisco and Oakland. Sixty-Four contestants will emerge from these six qualifiers and make their way to Alcatraz, one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable locations, for the final showdown hosted by All-Star guard Rajon Rondo on September 18.

Both the Qualifiers and the Finals on Alcatraz will follow a straightforward concept where players go head-to-head in raw outdoor basketball, using a single elimination tournament bracket. Games will last five minutes and be subject to regulation hoops rules and scoring (2 and 3 pointers). All games will be played on a half-court layout with four games running at once, each with their own referee, court manager and scoreboard. Players definitely have to be tough to make it to The Rock, but must also play smart – five fouls equals an automatic loss. After each game the loser walks, and the winner must remain on the court to immediately face his next opponent. Thus, the more a player wins, the longer he plays. So while pure hoops ability is essential, endurance will also play a major role in overall victory. In the end, there can be only one king, so out of the 64 finalists, only one will be crowned “King of the Rock” and collect the $10,000 prize.

The qualifiers for the tournament hit the Bay Area in the coming weeks as the tournament makes its first stop in San Francisco at the Panhandle on August 28, 2010.  Check out the flyer below!

September 11th, the qualifier hits “The Town” as the legendary Mosswood park plays host to the Oakland qualifying round.  Check out the flyer below!

This is a great opportunity for everyone to come out and showcase their talents as the only way to show your the best is to come out to the court and  prove it.  Spots are limited so everyone is encouraged to show up early and ready to play.  Come out and have fun all the while respecting the event and everyone involved.