Coinbase, the major US cryptocurrency exchange, has signed a deal with the National Basketball Association, aka the NBA. The bitcoin (BTC) exchange announced this on October 19:
BREAKING
We’re excited to announce that as of today we are the official crypto platform of the @NBA, @WNBA, @NBA2KLeague, and @usabasketball. Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/QQMjjHNlra
— Coinbase (@coinbase) October 19, 2021
Coinbase reports that it will become the NBA’s “exclusive” crypto partner. The press release states that this is a multi-year contract and that this is the first sponsorship deal with a crypto platform for all American basketball leagues.
As part of the deal, Coinbase will sponsor the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the US women’s basketball league, and the NBA 2K League, an “esports” league in partnership with NBA and NBA 2K video games, in addition to the NBA. Coinbase will also sponsor the NBA G League, the US underage basketball league, and USA Basketball, the US national basketball team.
The press release states that the deal will feature “unique content, innovations, activations and experiences from Coinbase to educate fans about the increasing advancements in the crypto economy.” That will begin with the NBA’s 75th anniversary season. Coinbase will be featured on the sport’s nationally televised broadcasts, which are viewed by some 1.6 million Americans daily. For finals, that can be ten times higher.
“As part of the partnership, we will create interactive experiences to connect with the incredible NBA and WNBA community and athletes around the world.”
Says Kate Rouch, chief marketing officer from Coinbase. Kerry Tatlock, NBA senior vice president of marketing, says:
“As a trusted cryptocurrency platform used by millions of people, Coinbase is a perfect fit for the NBA’s first-ever partner in this thriving category. We look forward to partnering with Coinbase to bring new ways for fans to interact with the competition and each other, while also improving the experience for fans who are already Coinbase users.”
💎 75 Greatest Players in NBA History
Follow along with this thread for the unveiling of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, which will be announced on TNT’s NBA Tip-Off/ESPN’s NBA Today starting tonight and through Thursday. 25 members will be announced each day. #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/i06aYSBLEJ
— NBA (@NBA) October 19, 2021