The Untold Story from The Other Dream Team, Lithuanian Basketball Team Documentary Film

Artist Licensor Became Major Sponsor by $450,000. Donation to 1992 Lithuanian Olympic Basketball Team

 

For Release-02-17-12- NEW YORK- The image of a skeleton dunking a flaming basketball rallied the 1992 Lithuanian Olympic Basketball Team to a bronze medal victory in the Barcelona Summer Olympics. The image played a key role in the story and is part of a documentary film about the Lithuanian basketball Team called "The Other Dream Team."

The iconic "Slam Dunking Skeleton" was actually created independently by N.Y. licensor and art director Greg Speirs, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3998173/ documented in the in the 2012 movie: "The Other Dream Team." http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606829/fullcredits#

Check out the audio interview with the major charity sponsor of the 1992 Lithuanian Olympics Basketball Team:  Audio Interview

This donation represented 100% of his profits which generated $450,000 for the team from the merchandising of his trademark skeleton design on sales of t-shirts. At that moment Speirs, former 1970's Grooves Music Magazine Art Director, acquired the status as major funder of the 1992 Lithuanian Olympic Basketball Team.

Apart from the noble efforts of others who initially raised money and partially funded the team for its trip and expenses, the overall big money wasn't generated until Speirs' design was marketed and sold on t-shirts which raised around $450,000 for the team which Speirs readily donated. The merchandise featuring the artist's trademark design generated huge ongoing funds for the team and Lithuanian children's charities.

"It's all about independence, and the freedom to pursue dreams without interference. The Lithuanians became independent after the Soviet breakaway and had the opportunity to flourish and pursue their dreams in freedom. In a similar parallel as an artist with freedom I created an image independently and chose to allow it be used to raise ongoing funds for the team and also provided the team a spirit of focus to rally around. The 1992 Lithuanian Basketball Team really symbolizes a spirit of freedom to me, and winning the bronze medal was not only a victory in sports but also symbolized a triumph over communism itself. The feeling of pride and energy was channeled through the image. The lesson we and the Lithuanians understand is that we have the freedom to succeed or fail independently as individuals and benefit from the fruits of our labor and flourish in our free enterprise system without an oppressive hand being over us. You work together as a team, but at the same time have the freedom to excel as an individual within that team," said Greg Speirs.

"The way that Greg's connection and huge donation was virtually unreported for decades is worthy of a Paul Harvey style 'Rest of the Story' segment," says Mike Thompson, Skullman.com spokesman. "This fact does not diminish the significance of the contributions and efforts of others. Each had their part to play to make this inspiring story happen for the team now known as The Other Dream Team. It only clarifies what actually happened and adds to the richness of the story because the facts are complete. It's called a documentary because you are documenting the facts, otherwise you are editorializing and not reporting. When key facts are edited out it would no longer be a documentary either," added Mike.

Skullman.com is home of the Original 1992 Lithuanian Tie Dye basketball jerseys. The Original Lithuanian Tie Dye Slam Dunking Skeleton brand is available for licensing from Skullman.com http://www.skullman.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos, sample jerseys and interviews are available.

The Slam Dunking Skeleton and Lithuanian Tie Dye brand are 1992 copyright and registered trademarks of Greg Speirs.

Newspaper article: news article

Related links: http://www.gregspeirs.com

Who's Who in America: http://biography.marquiswhoswho.com/sports-artist/greg-speirs/4298026

The Other Dream Team biography: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3998173

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Greg-Speirs/100003250624899

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/GregSpeirs

 The Other Dream Team:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606829/fullcredits#

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50159848&lang=en`

Contacts

Skullman.com
Contact:  914-787-9840
mikethompson@skullman.com
http://www.skullman.com
or
Speak to the artist, 914-787-9840
Photos:

NOTE: We give notice to the public and media that the artist is owner of the copyright and trademark. The artwork image is a federally protected intellectual property. Our interest is in insuring that proper accreditation is always given in the media to the artist aforementioned in this release when his property is spoken about or used. 

Links:

Newspaper article: http://beverlykelley.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/03/olympic-gold-sometimes-thats-not-the-only-prize-worth-winning.htm

IMDB Database  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3998173/

Who's Who in America Biography:  http://biography.marquiswhoswho.com/sports-artist/greg-speirs/4298026

Skullman website:  http://www.skullman.com

Speirs site:  http://www.gregspeirs.com

Photos: http://www.skullman.com/greg_speirs%20Monaco%20bobsled%20photo%20gallery.htm

contact: mikethompson@skullman.com

1-800-362-1886

 Original 1992 Lithuanian Tie Dye jersey: (See http://www.skullman.com)             PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR EDITORIAL      More Photos Available for Editorial   

 Website: www.skullman.com

Greg Speirs' Who's Who in America bio.       Greg-Speirs         "The Other Dream Team Movie" cast                 "The Other Dream Team" Movie bio (Greg Speirs)

  Contact: Skullman.com

  Telephone: (914)787-9840

  Shirt info: 1-800-362-1886

  Email:  skully@skullman.com

  Photos and jerseys are available for editorial use. (Editors may also link and use site photos).

NOTE: Symbols, copyrights and trademarks are the exclusive property of the artist and can only be used under license and with written permission from the artist.

 The Lithuanian Slam Dunking Skeleton and Lithuanian Tie Dye brand are copyright and registered trademarks of Greg Speirs.      PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR EDITORIAL