NBA partnerships with some popular brands, like Nike or Louis Vuitton, are nothing new. We all know how Michael Jordan became a global ambassador for Nike Air by wearing their iconic shoes on NBA courts, during the 90s, not caring at all about being fined for his choice. Sport, after all, is a very good vehicle for marketing and promotions, and professional athletes look like perfect testimonials.
Many brands want to be associated with the league and teams sign sponsorship deals in order to reach wider markets.
The fashion industry, the food industry and the show-business invested heavily in their relations with NBA and players, seeing pro players as a way to reach younger audiences, African-americans and women, given the rising popularity of WNBA, thanks to record-breaking athletes like Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark.
Another industry which invested widely in NBA sponsorship deals is the gambling one, perhaps less recognisable than the others, but equally eager to promote itself through sport.
Gambling Industry as NBA Sponsor: Examples and Perspective
Sponsors from the gambling industry became a significant driver in the growth of NBA. As these partnerships increase, this landscape continues to expand, providing fans with more opportunities to engage with the sport they love through online platforms.
However, given the vast number of websites available, it can be challenging finding the best options for everyone’s needs. This is where comparison portals come into play. They offer a comprehensive and updated view of the latest odds and statistics.
To stay up-to-date and find the best options, the bettor could check out NBA betting odds on Oddschecker.com, a platform providing a complete overview of the league and its ever-evolving trends.
The gambling industry relies heavily on sports, since the vast majority of bets are placed on games and their results, no matter the sport and the place where the match is played. So it’s only natural to look for a partnership between the league and the sportsbook.
Gambling regulations in the US are particularly confusing. These operations are generally prohibited by federal law, however each and every state is free to license and regulate betting as it pleases.
The landscape is fragmented and whenever people cross a border everything changes. Most of the authorised operators chose to partner with the NBA and some of its teams.
Online casinos and the most popular sportsbooks affiliated their brand with basketball franchises. We are looking at a league that receives millions of dollars in sponsorship revenue and asks whoever wants to take part in its circus a huge amount of money.
Obviously, betting operators and the like don’t have any problem with that, since the exposure they get is extremely valuable to their business. DraftKings, Fanduel, MGM, Stars Group (with the brand BetStars) and many others already reached a lucrative partnership with the league.
Viewers Data From the NBA: The Reason Why Brands Chase a Partnership
The NBA can count on an army of loyal fans. It isn’t that surprising. A lot of people love basketball and here they can watch incredible players and amazing athletes: the best in the world.
This league’s history consists in a slideshow of superstars and unforgettable games, such as some of the unforgettable finals ever. Around 1.5 million fans tune in for each regular season match. Way more viewers sit down in front of their screens for the playoffs.
This massive reach has seen team sponsorships grow to almost 1.5 billion dollars for the most successful franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics or the Chicago Bulls.
Partnering with major sports league teams gives a brand the chance to communicate his message and promote itself in front of a wider audience. Gambling operators know this too well and are constantly looking to buy a space in the arenas or, whenever possible, directly on the jerseys, in order to be looked at during every game.
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