Turner Network Television (TNT) has added actor Rainn Wilson to star in a series of exclusive spots promoting the 2009-10 NBA season on TNT. The spots are driven by the concept of taxicab confessionals with Wilson serving as the cabbie to marquee NBA players Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz). “We are always looking for new and unique ways to promote the NBA on TNT and Rainn’s comic ability coupled with the player’s reactionary personalities will bring strong entertainment value to these spots” said Craig Barry, senior vice president/creative director of Turner Sports. "Ever since I was growing up watching the Seattle SuperSonics I've been the hugest NBA fan. So of course I was thrilled to be working with the some worlds greatest (and tallest!) athletes,” said Wilson . “Although, I have to say, enough with this baggy shorts nonsense. Bring back the NBA hotpants look of 1979! And what ever happened to the crushed velour/terry-cloth warm-up track suits of yore? Other than those recent fashion blunders, I couldn't be more psyched!" "TNT's campaigns are always very creative and entertaining and I really enjoyed working on the spots. I tried to bring as much personality to the promos and make them fun,” said Howard. “Rainn definitely has a career as a cabbie to fall back on if the acting thing doesn't work out.” The first spot featuring Wilson and Howard will roll out on Wednesday, Oct. 7 and will be available on NBA.com. Additional spots will debut leading up to the start of the 2009-10 season. The roster of players who will co-star in the promos includes four of the brightest stars in the NBA with Howard, Defensive Player of the Year and the 2008 Slam Dunk Champion courtesy of his ‘Superman’ persona; Rose, 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year; Arenas, a three-time NBA All-Star and Williams who was a part of the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal team. The addition of Wilson to the marketing campaign continues TNT’s history of working with entertainment superstars including Grammy-award winning artist Jay-Z, music producer Pharrell, acclaimed director Spike Lee, Emmy-award winning actor Jeremy Piven and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in his Ali G persona. See the new ad here: Source: Turner Sports OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK (THE BIZ OF BASEBALL) Day One of Division Series Most Watched Since 2005 Jittery Picture for TBS MLB Broadcasts Blamed on the Sun TV Ratings Up 11.8% For First Three Games of 2009 Division Series MLB Postseason Starts With Attendance Increase Over 2008 Breaking Down Player Moves By Each of the 2009 MLB Postseason Clubs Passed Ball: TBS Shows "Yankees All-Tiem Ranks" Graphic Tigers-Twins Game Most Watched MLB Tiebreaker Game Since 1998 Majestic Athletic Airs First Network TV Ad During MLB Postseason Review: Postseason.TV Misses The Mark Record Attended Game at Metrodome Pushes MLB Attendance To 73,418,529 After Yankee Decision, MLB Updates Division Series Broadcast Schedule MLB APPROVES OWNERSHIP TRANSFER OF CUBS TO RICKETTS FAMILY MLB Assigns Umpires for the 2009 Division Series Inside The Numbers: Final 2009 MLB Regular Season (THE BIZ OF FOOTBALL) Roger Goodell Will Walk Fine Line with Edwards and Cable Incidents UFL Officially Unveils Helmet Logos Ben Roethlisberger Lawsuit Timeline Football: A Game of Life and Death The New York Jets, David Clowney, and Twitter The Biz of Football Gets Blown Up in Week 3 Verizon FiOS Offering "NFL RedZone" for Free on Oct. 4 "Lagasse's Stadium" Design Sets New Standard for Food and Sports Experience (THE BIZ OF HOCKEY) NESN Sees Highest Rated BruinsSeason Opener Broadcast in 25 Years “MAKE IT SEVEN.” THE NHL AND CANADIAN NATIONALISM NHL Network Releases U.S. 2009-10 Live NHL Regular-Season Schedule Judge Rejects Sale of Phoenix Coyotes to NHL, Jim Balsillie Great One? Gretzky Steps Down as Coach of Coyotes 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 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 (select his name in the dropdown provided). Follow Maury Brown on Twitter Follow The Biz of Basketball on Twitter Follow the Business of Sports Network on Facebook