For the past seven years, the Harlem Globetrotters have selected athletes from a variety of sports as honorary members of the team. With that honor, the athlete can join the Globetrotters if he or she so wishes.

This year, the Globetrotters would like Mariano Rivera to move from the Bronx to Harlem.

"C'mon," Rivera said with a laugh before Tuesday night's Yankees game.

When it was pointed out to Rivera that he would have time to try new things when he retires after this season, he laughed some more.

In 2008, Mariano Rivera met Kevin "Special K" Daley, a Globetrotter and fellow Panamanian. Courtesy of Harlem Globetrotters

Here is the news release:

Brittney Griner, one of the most decorated players in the history of women's basketball, was among five athletes selected today in the seventh annual player draft of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters.

Joining the elite group of top athletes chosen by the Globetrotters were College Slam Dunk Champ Doug Anderson of the University of Detroit Mercy, NAIA All-American Tyrone Davis of Northwood University (Fla.), High Point University (N.C.) high-flyer Corey Law and baseball superstar Mariano Rivera.

"Brittney Griner is a great ambassador for the game of basketball and a terrific player. We fully support her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury," said Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. "Our North American tour runs from the end of December to the end of April, which would not conflict with the WNBA season. The Globetrotters already have two outstanding female stars in TNT Maddox and T-Time Brawner, so the transition to our roster would be seamless.

"And in the fourth quarter, when the Globetrotters need to close out a game, who better than the best closer of all-time? Mariano Rivera has made a living by finishing off opponents. We always have a place on our roster for winning athletes with that kind of mindset. His charitable work through the Mariano Rivera Foundation also embodies the spirit of the Globetrotters giving back to the community."

Griner, by the way, declined the Globetrotters' offer.