
Jack Link's is a US meat snack manufacturer that has been the presenting sponsor of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) since 2015. TBT is a single-elimination, five-on-five, winner-take-all, open-application tournament for players 18 years of age or older. In addition to sponsoring TBT, Jack Link's also hosts its own Bracket Challenge, where participants can win prizes like a trip to the National Championship, cash, and a year's supply of Jack Link's meat snacks. Jack Link's also provides basketball watch party snack suggestions, such as dips and their own meat snacks, to enhance the viewing experience for basketball fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Basketball Tournament (TBT) |
| Sponsor | Jack Link's Protein Snacks |
| Format | Single-elimination, five-on-five, winner-take-all, open-application tournament |
| Eligibility | Players 18 years of age or older |
| Teams | 64 teams competed in 2016, with over 300 teams applying |
| Participants | Professionals, recent college talent, local legends, pickup basketball stars, NBA veterans |
| Prizes | $2,000,000 in 2016, $1,000,000 in 2015 |
| Location | Various cities in the US, including Charlotte, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Jack Link's Bracket Challenge
Jack Link's, the Wisconsin-based beef jerky and snack foods maker, has been the presenting sponsor of The Basketball Tournament (TBT), an open-application summer event, since 2016. The multi-city tournament features 64 teams competing for a prize money of at least $1 million, with the winner taking home a grand prize of $2 million.
In addition to sponsoring TBT, Jack Link's also hosts its own Bracket Challenge, inviting basketball fans to fill out brackets for free and win exciting prizes. The Jack Link's Bracket Challenge is a fun way for fans to engage with the sport and showcase their knowledge or loyalty. Participants can employ various strategies, from statistics to team mascots, to predict the winning teams and advance in the tournament.
The prizes for the Bracket Challenge include a trip for two to the 2024 National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, cash prizes, and a year's supply of Jack Link's meat snacks. The challenge is open to residents of the United States (excluding Washington and Nevada) and Washington, D.C., who are 18 years or older.
The Jack Links Bracket Challenge is an exciting opportunity for basketball enthusiasts to test their skills, showcase their love for the sport, and win amazing prizes. So, whether you're a hardcore statistician or a passionate fan, the challenge invites you to unleash your inner beast and join the fun!
Who Made Long Basketball Shorts the Norm?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Jack Link's Protein Snacks as Presenting Sponsor
Jack Link's Protein Snacks was named the presenting sponsor of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) in 2015. The tournament is a single-elimination, five-on-five, winner-take-all, open-application competition for players 18 years of age or older. In its first season, the tournament drew over 100 team entries from across the country, with 32 teams ultimately participating. The tournament includes professional players, recent college talent, local legends, and pickup basketball stars.
As the presenting sponsor, Jack Link's Protein Snacks was integrated into the event logo, in-arena signage, promotional opportunities, streaming presence, and broadcast advertising for all TBT games. The sponsorship provided a unique platform for Jack Link's to reach a new audience and communicate its message. The tournament expanded nationwide in 2015, with the prize money doubling to $1 million.
In 2016, Jack Link's Protein Snacks continued its partnership with TBT, announcing a field of 64 teams competing for a $2 million prize. The tournament received applications from over 300 teams, with more than 400 players holding professional experience and 130 with NBA exposure. The tournament began with opening rounds in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, with the Super 16 round taking place in Philadelphia as well. The semifinals were held in New York City, leading up to the $2 million championship game.
Jack Link's Protein Snacks has leveraged its sponsorship of The Basketball Tournament to engage with basketball fans and promote its products. The brand has created specific campaigns, such as the Jack Link's Bracket Challenge, where fans can predict tournament outcomes and win prizes, including a year's supply of Jack Link's meat snacks. Additionally, Jack Link's has developed basketball watch party snack ideas, such as dips and its signature Bloody Mary mix, to enhance the viewing experience for fans.
High School Hoops: Worth the Hype?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The Basketball Tournament (TBT)
Jack Link's Protein Snacks was named the presenting sponsor of TBT in 2015. The tournament had a $1 million winner-take-all prize that year, with the championship game airing live on ESPN. As the presenting sponsor, Jack Link's benefited from designation as the "Presenting Sponsor", integration into the event logo, in-arena signage, promotional opportunities, streaming presence, and broadcast advertising for all TBT games.
The partnership between TBT and Jack Link's continued in 2016, with the tournament expanding to include 64 teams competing for a $2 million prize. The 2016 TBT featured notable players such as Mike Bibby, Jason Williams, and Larry Sanders. The tournament began on July 9-10 in Charlotte and Los Angeles, with subsequent rounds held in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City, culminating in the semifinals and championship game on July 30 and August 2, respectively.
TBT provides a unique platform for basketball enthusiasts to showcase their skills and compete for substantial prizes. The tournament's format, with its single-elimination structure and winner-take-all prize, adds excitement and intensity to the competition. The involvement of sponsors like Jack Link's Protein Snacks further elevates the event, providing additional exposure and incentives for participants and fans alike.
Duke Basketball's Inaugural Season: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Prizes for winners
The Jack Link's Bracket Challenge offers participants the chance to win exciting prizes. The first-place winner will receive a trip for two to the 2024 NCCA men's Final Four tournament in Phoenix, Arizona, including hotel and event tickets, along with $5,000 in cash. The second-place winner will receive $3,000 in cash and a year's supply of Jack Link's meat snacks, valued at $1,200. Three additional winners will also receive a year's supply of Jack Link's meat snacks.
The Bracket Challenge is a free competition where participants fill out a bracket of their predicted winners. The challenge is open to residents of the fifty United States (excluding Washington and Nevada) and Washington, DC, who are 18 years of age or older. The deadline to submit brackets is March 16, 2023, at 12:15 PM ET, with bracket matchups announced on March 12.
Jack Link's, a Wisconsin-based company, is the presenting sponsor of The Basketball Tournament, which was founded in 2014. The tournament offers a prize pool of at least $1 million and is aired on ESPN. In addition to the Bracket Challenge, Jack Link's also sponsors the Minnesota Wild and Major League Fishing.
IU Basketball: Where to Sit to See the Team Bench
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Basketball watch party snacks
If you're planning a basketball watch party, you'll need some crowd-pleasing snacks to keep your guests satisfied. Here are some ideas for basketball-themed snacks and treats that are sure to be a hit:
Savory Snacks
- Chips with creamy dips like ranch, spinach dip, or melted cheese.
- Pizza is always a crowd-pleaser, but for a fun twist, try using a fluffy base of mozzarella cheese-filled focaccia.
- Sliders or mini sandwiches are easy to make and can be customized with toppings like jerky or guacamole.
- Macaroni and cheese bites are a fun, snackable version of a classic comfort food.
- Pigs in a blanket can be elevated with salty ham and herbed brie instead of the traditional weenies.
- Spicy jalapeño or sour cream and onion chips are a tempting snack that can be easily poured into bowls for self-service.
- Popcorn, especially cheddar cheese popcorn served in mini orange bags with black stripes to resemble a basketball.
- Cheese puff balls served in small dessert cups with a crisscross pattern drawn on to look like a basketball net.
- Buffalo chicken dip served in a round pie dish with chopped black olives arranged on top to resemble a basketball.
- Teriyaki jerky pounders are a tasty, shareable snack that's perfect for a watch party.
Drinks
- Bloody Marys are a fun alternative to beer and can be made with Jack Link's Bloody Mary Mix.
- Serve drinks in orange paper cups or plastic cups decorated with a DIY basketball pattern and black-and-white striped straws.
- Orange Gatorade can be dressed up by removing the label and adding a strip of black-and-white striped wrapping paper.
Desserts
- Orange sherbet or mango sorbet served in cups decorated with frosting to look like basketball hoops.
- Triple chocolate basketball cupcakes are a festive way to enjoy a sweet treat during the game.
- Rice crispy treat balls are a perfect matchup of sweet and savory, especially when paired with other treats on a snack board.
The Standard Width of a High School Basketball Backboard
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Jack Links is the presenting sponsor of "The Basketball Tournament" (TBT), a single-elimination, five-on-five, winner-take-all, open-application tournament.
The tournament is a $1 million "winner-take-all" event. In 2016, the prize was doubled to $2 million.
The tournament is open to players aged 18 and above. Participants have included professional players, recent college talent, local legends, and pickup basketball stars.











































