LAKERS’ COACH PHIL JACKSON SIGNS WITH WMA & ORIGINAL ENTERTAINMENT

(July 29, 2003, Beverly Hills, CA) __ Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach Phil Jackson has signed with the William Morris Agency (WMA) and Original Entertainment for off-court representation, it was announced today by WMA President and CEO Jim Wiatt and Original’s Marty Adelstein.

Todd Musburger, Ltd. will continue to represent Jackson with his basketball related agreements, while WMA and Original will seek commercial, licensing, broadcasting, sponsorship, speaking, publishing, motion picture and television opportunities for Jackson, who guided the Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

“I have had enormous respect for what Phil has managed to accomplish over the years,” said Wiatt. “In addition to being one of the greatest coaches in any professional team sport, Phil is a dynamic leader and motivator who elevates the performance of not only his players and coaches, but everyone he comes in contact with. William Morris is excited to work with him on his off-court endeavors.”

Added Adelstein: “Not since the Showtime era has L.A. been this excited about a sports team, and Phil’s influence is the reason why. L.A. has embraced him. Chicago already embraced him. I think the rest of the country – except Sacramento, of course – is going to embrace him, too.”

“We are excited to be working with the William Morris Agency and Original Entertainment as they explore opportunities appropriate to Phil’s many talents,” said Musburger. “We anticipate the tremendous resources of the William Morris Agency and the creativity of Original Film will help generate exciting new projects for Phil.”

Jackson holds a record-tying nine NBA Championships as a head coach. Going into the 2003-2004 season, his career winning percentage of .728, is by far the best in league history. His playoff winning percentage of .730 also ranks as the best ever and he also has won more playoff games than any coach in NBA history. He was selected as the NBA coach of the year in 1996.

Jackson joined the Lakers in June 1999 and led the team to a NBA-best 67 wins during the 1999-2000 regular season, which was capped by a run through the playoffs and a 6-game series win over the Indiana Pacers in the Finals.

Jackson’s Lakers followed the franchise’s first NBA championship since the Showtime era with two more. In 2001, Los Angeles tied a postseason record for consecutive wins to start the playoffs and set an all-time postseason record with a .938 winning percentage on the way to a Finals victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. A year later, Los Angeles rebounded from a 3-2 series deficit against the Sacramento Kings to win the Western Conference title and advanced to the Finals, where they topped the New Jersey Nets.

Before joining the Lakers, Jackson spent nine seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, where he coached the legendary Michael Jordan. During his tenure in Chicago, the Bulls won six championships, three-peating from 91 through 93 and 96 through 98.

Jackson’s career as a head coach began with the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association in the early 1980’s. In five seasons in Albany, Jackson guided the Patroons to a league title and won a CBA Coach of the Year Award. Following the 1986-87 season, Jackson left the Patroons and joined the Bulls as an assistant coach.

As a player, Jackson spent most of his 13 NBA Seasons with the New York Knicks, who selected the North Dakota forward with the 17th, pick of the 1967 draft. He spent the final years of his career with the New Jersey Nets as a player/assistant coach. Jackson retired in 1980, having averaged 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds over 807 games.

Known for his unique and empowering style of leadership, Jackson is a popular inspirational speaker and has authored several books, including “Maverick”, “Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior” and “More Than a Game” with Charley Rosen.

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