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Joe Hand Promotions is the premier distributor
of closed circuit pay-per-view boxing and special events in the
country. Founded by Joe Hand, Sr. and his family in 1970,
the company’s size and reputation has grown due in large part to
the chairman's background, passion and keen foresight about the
television distribution industry. One of the first companies
of its kind, Joe Hand Promotions is still leading the way and thriving
after 38 years!
Joseph Hand, Sr. started his professional career as a Philadelphia
Police Detective but always had an eye and passion for sports, particularly
boxing. In 1967, Hand became a charter member of Cloverlay
Corporation, the organization that helped guide Joe Frazier to the
heavyweight championship. Hand became intrigued by the prospect
of forming his own company specializing in sports promotions.
Joe Hand Promotions main focus is promoting and distributing closed
circuit pay-per-view boxing events, plus other sporting and entertainment
broadcasts. The company has promoted or broadcast almost all of
the major championship fights nationwide including Leonard - Hearns,
Tyson-Lewis, Hopkins-Trinidad and DeLaHoya - Mayweather.
Joe Hand Promotions is no stranger to other sports and events either.
The company has promoted such popular events as the World Cup, Woodstock
’94, David Bowie, the Mr. Olympia Bodybuilding Championship, Kenny
Rogers, The Beach Boys, Frankie Valli, plus numerous boxing and
wrestling events at Atlantic City casinos. They also work
with DirecTV in bringing the NFL Sunday Ticket to hundreds of commercial
establishments throughout the country.
In 1998, Joe Hand Promotions joined forces with the WWE to distribute
its wrestling events. This partnership increased the non-existent
market to over 800 monthly commercial customers. In 2001,
the company acquired the rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championships
(UFC). Currently, the UFC is the fastest growing sport on closed
circuit pay-per-view television. With a growing fan base and the
expertise of Joe Hand Promotions’ sales staff, the UFC is getting
bigger and bigger with each event. Their likeable personalities
and competitive mixed-martial arts display has made the UFC a can’t-miss,
monthly event. With its considerable skill, Joe Hand Promotions
has been able to exhibit the monthly UFC events to its huge network
of bars and restaurants. Within a few months, Joe Hand Promotions
expects the number of locations showing the UFC events to eclipse
2000 establishments on a monthly basis!
Joe Hand Promotions is one of the founding fathers of HBO’s commercial
sports distribution network. According to Senior Vice President
of HBO Pay-Per-View Mark Taffet, “[Hand’s] expertise and passion
for this business are respected and unquestioned.”
Joe Hand Promotions works in conjunction with many nationally known
promoters including Dana White from the Ultimate Fighting Championship,
Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc., Don King of Kingvision Pay-Per-View Ltd.,
Ken Hershman of Showtime Networks Inc., Mark Taffet of HBO, and
Vince McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment. In 1996, with his
connections and invaluable friendship with King, the company was
able to bring the Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis fight to the Corestates
Center in Philadelphia. At the time, it was the highest rated
sports program on the Fox Network.
It has always been the philosophy of Joe Hand Promotions to support
many causes and organizations in order to make a difference in the
community. Through the years, the company has been involved with
the Special Olympics, Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, and scholarship
funds at various Philadelphia area high schools. Joe Hand,
Sr. received the prestigious Wanamaker Community Service Award in
2002 because of his philanthropy. He has always maintained
the notion that you cannot just be a taker; you must also give back
to the community. He is hopeful that the children he has helped
will also be able to give back to those less fortunate. |
