Will Ferrell wants you to get sweaty for 'Semi-Pro' (video)

Posted Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 3:48 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Check out the afro-coiffed Will Ferrell in the teaser trailer for his upcoming comedy Semi-Pro. Ferrell stars as Jackie Moon, the owner-player-coach of the Flint, Michigan Tropics of the '70s American Basketball Association.

For you youngins, the American Basketball Association actually existed. Founded in 1967, the ABA was a competitor to the NBA until the two pro leagues merged in 1976. This video features the famous red, white and blue basketball used in the ABA -- in a strategic location. The movie takes place on the eve of the merger in '76. (Flint never really had an ABA franchise.)

The number featured in the video, 1-800-TROPICS, is indeed in-service. If you call this "Get Hot-line," Moon will give you all the details on season tickets. He sold me with just the mention of corn dogs.

The movie also stars Woody Harrelson, Will Arnett, Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000 of Outkast), Maura Tierney, and Jackie Earle Haley. Semi-Pro will be in theaters on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 2008.