Jeff Jarrett, known for his nearly four decades in professional wrestling, has shared that his initial passion was basketball, not wrestling. This revelation came during a recent interview where he expressed excitement about Acclaim Entertainment’s game relaunch, which includes a basketball-themed title.
Throughout his extensive career, Jarrett has served in various roles such as promoter, WWE Senior Vice President of Live Events, AEW Director of Business Development, and as an in-ring competitor. Despite his deep ties to wrestling, Jarrett’s earliest athletic interest was basketball, a sport that remains close to his heart, especially given his family’s involvement. His renewed connection to basketball comes as part of his role on Acclaim Entertainment’s advisory board amid their recent revival.
Jarrett’s Enduring Love for Basketball and Video Games
Jarrett detailed how basketball has remained a significant part of his life, both personally and professionally. He shared that he played college basketball and that his daughter is currently involved in collegiate basketball as well. This personal connection made the inclusion of a basketball game in Acclaim’s new lineup especially meaningful to him.
I wish I would have had a camera on me when I got the roll out, the basketball [game],
Jarrett said.
I like to say this. My first love is actually not professional wrestling; my first love is basketball. My daughter plays college ball. I played college ball. I’m a basketball guy, but when the basketball game was a part of the release, I jumped at it. So I gotta say, that’s near and dear to my heart, no doubt.
The basketball game Jarrett refers to is called Basketball Classics, a retro-style arcade game that Acclaim is featuring as part of its video game revival. This title aims to capture the nostalgic essence of classic basketball games, offering players a fun and familiar gaming experience on the court.
A Passion for Classic and Family-Oriented Games
Beyond basketball, Jarrett revealed his fondness for other types of video games within his personal collection. Notably, he highlighted NBA Jam, a well-known basketball game series, and mirrored this with his enthusiasm for more casual but engaging games like Mario Kart.
The simple ones or any basketball game, NBA Jam, I could go through the years on that,
he said.
My son Kody is a huge Madden guy. Obviously, I got a place in wrestling games through the year, but if you really want to get down to the super hardcore of it, I’m a Mario guy. There’s just something about Mario Kart that I played hours upon hours. I had my little girl sit in my lap, and she used to take a nap in my lap, and I’d kind of get in trouble. Like, ‘Hey, put that baby down, you’re playing too many games.’ But anyway, Mario Kart, that may be the thing that I was most attached to.
This mix of gaming interests shows Jarrett’s connection not just to competitive sports games but also to moments shared with family, emphasizing how gaming has woven through different parts of his life.
Reflecting on the Collaboration with Acclaim Entertainment
Jarrett’s involvement with Acclaim Entertainment is more than just a nostalgic nod; it is a convergence of his experiences in wrestling, business, and gaming. As an advisor, he focuses on marketing and development, helping transform good concepts into standout products.
As you’re well aware that I’m [part of] three generations of professional wrestling, but going back a long time ago, many, many moons ago, I was a gamer that was more of a fan from a business perspective with my business cap on,
Jarrett explained.
So all these years later, I call it my two worlds colliding. In a lot of ways, it’s an honor to be a part of it because all the pieces of the puzzle that have kind of been layered in here, if you will, it’s just super exciting. So when they approach me, I just kind of sat back and had to pinch myself because, again, I’ve been in video games, obviously in the wrestling space for years, years and years, and way back in the day, the Acclaim game. But as we move forward and just the rebirth, if you will, it’s super exciting.
Jarrett’s enthusiasm reflects a hopeful outlook for the gaming revival and its potential to bridge his personal passions with his professional expertise. His role signals a promising blend of nostalgia, family, and business acumen guiding Acclaim’s resurgence.
With the revival of Acclaim Entertainment underway, fans of both wrestling and basketball can look forward to dynamic gaming experiences that honor classic styles while innovating for modern audiences. Jeff Jarrett’s basketball passion adds a unique and heartfelt dimension to this evolving landscape, suggesting exciting developments ahead for both industries.
