NIKE, Inc. Signed Historic Partnership Extension with NBA, WNBA and NBA G League through 2037
A 12-Year Global Partnership as the League’s Exclusive On-Court and Apparel Supplier to Create Innovation and Stories for the Next Generation of Players and Fans.
NEW YORK, October 21, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–NIKE, Inc. (NYSE: NKE), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced a 12-year extension of their global apparel, sales, marketing and. A media partnership that confirms NIKE, Inc. as the world’s leading basketball uniform and apparel supplier for the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League.
NIKE, Inc. will extend its rights for more than 12 seasons to design and manufacture NBA, WNBA and G League uniforms, court apparel and fan apparel, continuing its commitment to growing and improving the sport of basketball for the next generation.
“Nike has always been a sponsor of the league – we are a strategic partner with an unwavering commitment to growing the game, along with the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League,” said Elliott Hill, NIKE, Inc. President and CEO. “Our combined strength, global reach and true passion for the game will continue to create new avenues and opportunities for players and fans alike.”
The global expansion is highlighted by new media strategies, a full commitment to grassroots basketball, as well as the continued development of an integrated membership program that provides benefits to fans with unique products, content and experiences. As a major champion of women’s sports, NIKE, Inc. is also deepening its investment in the WNBA.
“Nike has been deeply associated with basketball and has helped fuel the growth and innovation surrounding our game for decades,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “With a focus on youth basketball, our expanded partnership will create more opportunities for aspiring players to learn and compete at all levels and for fans of all ages to connect with the NBA and WNBA.”
“Since the inception of our league, Nike has been committed to a shared vision for girls’ and women’s basketball,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Our continued partnership is an opportunity to strengthen development strategies and improve touch points across our active fan base as we showcase the WNBA around the world.”
NIKE, Inc. and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) also extended its team licensing agreement to allow NIKE, Inc. become an official partner of the NBPA.
“We are excited to renew our partnership with Nike and continue to showcase the efforts of our players on and off the court,” said NBPA Executive Director Andre Iguodala. “This partnership highlights the reach, influence, and impact of our members, driving basketball fandom and influencing millions of people around the world.”
This renewal follows eight years of global collaboration in apparel, sales, marketing and content in 2015, which resulted in NIKE, Inc. become the court’s official uniform beginning with the 2017-18 NBA season. Nike has been a partner of the NBA since 1992, a promotional partner of the WNBA since its inception in 1997 and a promotional partner of the NBA G League since the 2017-18 season.
Together, the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League and Nike will continue to grow basketball into the next generation by:
Developing programs and resources to make high-level youth basketball accessible and affordable, prioritizing widespread access to age- and level-appropriate training, coaching, court development curriculum and playing conditions for youth of all cultures and abilities, inclusive. by Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA.
To create basketball programs and facilities designed to increase access to the game and enhance the playing experience for girls of all ages, including Jr. WNBA and Basketball Without Borders (BWB).
The partnership enhances player, coach and program development opportunities across the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) through expanded leadership, player health and on-court development programs.
NIKE, Inc. will expand its strong presence across the league’s marquee events, including the NBA Global Games, NBA All-Star, WNBA All-Star, NBA Draft Combine, WNBA Draft, WNBA Changemakers, NBA Draft presented by State Farm .®NBA 2K Summer League and NBA G League Fall Invitational.
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and marketer of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness. Converse, a subsidiary of NIKE, Inc., designs, sells and distributes footwear, apparel and athletic lifestyle accessories. For more information, visit https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom and follow @NIKE.
About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization whose mission is to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and the Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a large international presence with games and programs available in 214 countries and regions in languages more than 60, and goods. sold in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. The NBA lineup at the start of the 2023-24 season featured a record 125 international players from 40 countries and territories. NBA Digital properties include NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers worldwide across leagues, teams and sports. of the players. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with leading social organizations around the world to address critical social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, health beauty and health.
About the WNBA
The WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that represents the power of women. It has 12 teams and in its 28th season in 2024, W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social media, and community and youth programming, the league celebrates and promotes the game of basketball and culture. what surrounds it. In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a CBA that has set a new course for women’s basketball — and women’s sports in general — that focuses on increased player compensation. , improvements to player experience, expanded functionality. development opportunities and resources tailored specifically to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported by the league’s partnership platform, the WNBA Changemaker Collective, and AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner and first Changemaker, as well as former Changemaker partners Deloitte and NIKE, Inc., and the following contributions Google, US Bank and CarMax. In the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement which creates a Community Justice Council with the goal of being a catalyst for needed change and continued work on women’s and maternal health and rights. voting, among other important social issues.
About the NBA G League
The official minor league of the NBA, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, training and frontline staff for the NBA while serving as the league’s research and development laboratory. With 31 teams, 30 of which are directly affiliated with NBA franchises for 2024-2025, the league offers high-quality basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly environment. More than half of all players in the 2023-24 NBA season finale boasted NBA G League experience. In order to strengthen the league’s relationship with the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in the development of education through NBA Cares programs.
About the NBPA
The National Basketball Players Association is the association of current basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Founded in 1954, the mission of the NBPA is to protect and support the rights and talents of our athletes, to enhance their collective volunteerism, and to raise their voices as future leaders in sports and communities around the world. .
The NBPA advocates on behalf of all NBA players, including through the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, filing grievances on behalf of players, and providing counseling to players regarding benefits, education and post-NBA career opportunities. The trading opportunities are presented by THINK450, a subsidiary of the NBPA responsible for managing the licensing rights of the ‘riders’ group.
Committed to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to individuals, communities and organizations around the world who seek to improve the lives of those in need.
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