Globetrotters Challenge Olympic Hoop Champs

PHOENIX, United States (AFP) - Basketball's world-famous comedian team, the Harlem Globetrotters, has challenged Argentina's Olympic championship squad to a one-million-dollar pay-per-view television showdown.
Argentina captured gold at last month's Athens Games by defeating Italy in the final after defeating a United States collection of National Basketball Association players in the semi-finals. The US team settled for a bronze medal.
Mannie Jackson, owner and chairman of the clown princes of basketball, issued the challenge for a neutral court meeting to Argentina Basketball Confederation president Horacio Muratore.
Promoters have already contacted the Globetrotters about offering the million-dollar prize, said Jackson, whose team has entertained fans in 117 nations.
"The Globetrotters are up to the challenge," Jackson said. "They have NBA star Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs and more importantly, they play the game the way it is supposed to be played."