To coincide with the beginning of the 2008-2009 pro-basketball season, SGN, a social gaming company, today launched iBasketball for Apple’s iPhone. iBasketball leverages the accelerometer mobile technology platform for the iPhone to let basketball fans, sports and gaming enthusiasts play on-the-go.

"By expanding our series of experiential social games with iBasketball in addition to realizing our vision for engaging people across multiple platforms and social networks with the recent release of iFun Golf, we are continuing to push the boundaries of social gaming to engage and connect people from around the world through creative use of platforms such as the iPhone," said Shervin Pishevar, CEO of SGN. "The success we have seen with all of our recent game releases with nearly four million downloads demonstrates the demand for this kind of entertainment for a global audience."

The iBasketball application for the iPhone allows players to practice basketball skills such as dribbling and shooting layups and free throws in a simulated 'Around the World' or 'HORSE' style game. Players also have the opportunity to challenge a friend to a game and track shooting success against an opponent. By visiting the 'Open Challenges' scoreboard and through optional score notification emails, players are instantly notified when a challenger takes a turn and of their progress. iBasketball also features life-like spectator and simulated game sounds such as the ball bounce and 'swish' of the net.

The development of iPhone games marks SGN's expansion in mobile and social gaming technology.

Source: SGN

  OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

• Judge Throws Out 5 of 14 Charges Against Barry Bonds - The Biz of Baseball
• Curt Schilling Heads to Persian Gulf as Part of USO Tour - The Biz of Baseball
• What Will MLBNetwork.com and the Latest Version of "At Bat" Offer in 2009? - The Biz of Baseball
• Amidst Near Collapse, Cititgroup Confirms Retaining Naming Rights Deal with Mets - The Biz of Baseball
• Marlins Clear Legal Challenge on New Ballpark Financing - The Biz of Baseball
• Paul Volcker Talks to MLB Owners About the Economy - The Biz of Baseball
• Dodgers & White Sox Name New Spring Training Facility "Camelback Ranch" - The Biz of Baseball
• Blackout Policy to Remain Through MLB Network Launch - The Biz of Baseball
• The King Steps Down: George Steinbrenner Passes Control of Yankees to Son, Hal - The Biz of Baseball
• Citi Field Name Safe, According to Mets - The Biz of Baseball
• Will Smith Goes NHL-Style at Premier of "Seven Pounds" - The Biz of Hockey
• NHL Network to Broadcast 20-Part Series on NHL Captains - The Biz of Hockey
• NHL Partners with Ticketmaster for First-Ever Ticket Resale Service - The Biz of Hockey
• NHL Sees Key Gains in Attendance, Television, Online, and Corporate Growth - The Biz of Hockey
• Organizational Report: Nashville Predators - The Biz of Hockey
• Forbes NHL Team Valuations Released. Maples Leafs Most Valuable - The Biz of Hockey
• Saints to Freeze Ticket, Parking and Concession Prices for 2009 Season - The Biz of Football
  
• Joe Paterno Says He'll Coach at Penn State in 2009 - The Biz of Football
• NFL Adds Second Instant Replay Referee After Blown Polamalu Play - The Biz of Football
• ESPN and BCS Reach Four-Year Agreement - The Biz of Football
• All in the Family: Rooneys to Continue to Own Steelers - The Biz of Football
• Taking a Knee? NFL to Lower Playoff Ticket Costs by 10% Due to Economy - The Biz of Football

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.

Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

Don't forget to register and log in on The Biz of Basketball site to get updates via your in-box, and see information only logged in members can see.