Big brands back the NBL’s boom

The National Basketball League has confirmed 22 new and renewing commercial partners for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season, with 10 long-standing partners renewing and 12 new partners joining, as some of Australia’s most recognised brands become a part of the League’s continued growth.

Kmart, AAMI, Choice Hotels, Disney+, Powerade, Step One, Reebok, Foot Locker, Mortgage Choice and Australian Venue Co. have all renewed with the NBL, while Optus, Virgin Australia, Red Bull, 7-Eleven, Heinz, Spotlight, Liberty Financial, Sprite, Mega Rewards, Curtin University, Sharpie and Bounce Inc. have joined the NBL Group this season, with each partnership built around bringing fans closer to the game, in arena, at home and in the community.

NBL Group CEO David Stevenson said commercial growth was central to the League’s continued rise, and thanked returning and new partners for their support. 

“Everything our fans see and feel on game night, from the players on court to the atmosphere in the stands, is built on the strength of our partnerships,” Stevenson said.

“Commercial growth is what allows us to keep investing in and evolving the League, whether that’s new innovations such as the Ignite Cup, HoopsFest and Most Valuable Creator, lifting the experience in arena and on screen, or taking the NBL to communities right across Australia and New Zealand. 

“To every partner joining us this season, and to those who have backed us for years and chosen to do it again, thank you. We don’t take that support for granted, and we’re excited about what we’re building together.”

NBL Chief Commercial Officer Samantha Green said every partnership, renewing and new, had been shaped around what matters most to fans.

“Every renewal and every new partnership started with a conversation about the fan,” Green said. 

“Whether it’s something you see courtside, something that turns up in your local store, or a reward for being part of the NBL community, we wanted each partner to add something genuine to the season. 

“The response from the market this year has been outstanding.”

Naming rights partner Hungry Jack’s, the NBL’s longest-running partner, continues to lead a strong group of long-standing partners who remain the foundation of the League’s commercial growth, with Kmart, AAMI, Choice Hotels, Disney+, Powerade, Step One, Reebok, Foot Locker, Mortgage Choice and Australian Venue Co. all extending their relationships with the NBL for the new season.

“The partners who renew with us are the best measure of what we’re building,” Green said. 

“To have brands like Kmart, AAMI and Disney+ continue to back the League speaks to the value of the partnership and the trust we’ve built together, and we’re incredibly grateful for their ongoing support.”

Among the League’s 12 new partners, Optus joins as Major partner and Official Telco, while Virgin Australia comes on board as the Official Airline Partner, helping teams, fans and the NBL community connect across the League’s footprint. 

Red Bull becomes the Official Energy Drink of the NBL, with additional designations across the Ignite Cup and HoopsFest, while 7-Eleven steps in as Presenting Partner of the Ignite Cup, the League’s in-season tournament.

Heinz and Spotlight have each joined as Official Partners, while Sprite comes on board as the Official Soft Drink. 

Liberty Financial, Mega Rewards, Curtin University and Sharpie also join the new partner line-up, bringing activations spanning fan experience, education and community.

Fans can follow all the action from the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season with every game live on ESPN. 

Download the NBL App to stay connected all season long.