NBA slam-dunks $739m in sponsorship over 2014-15 season
America’s National Basketball Association has netted itself $739m in sponsorship revenue for the 2014-15 season; an 8.9 per cent increase on the preceding year.
The figures, compiled by IEG Research, showed that Anheuser-Busch was the most active sponsor of the sport with 81 per cent of sponsored NBA properties in the malt beverage category reporting a partnership with the company and its brands.
In terms of categories however it was insurance which took the lead after the sector leapfrogged car makers, with the industry being five times more likely to sponsor professional basketball than the average of all other sponsors.
William Chipps, IEG Sponsorship Report senior editor: “The NBA’s growing popularity—particularly in international markets—continues to drive corporate interest in the league and its teams.”
The NBA’s sponsorship tally was helped by the addition of four new partners this season; Harman, Kaiser Permanente, PepsiCo and Under Armour.