Nike and WNBA Reach Multiyear Marketing Partnership Extension
Published on July 24, 2009 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
NEW YORK, July 24, 2009 - Nike and the WNBA today announced an extension of their marketing partnership, which dates to the league's inception in 1997, with a new multiyear agreement.
As part of the partnership, Nike will receive courtside signage and will advertise during WNBA national game telecasts on ABC, ESPN2 and NBA TV. Nike will feature its WNBA players in advertising and promotional campaigns for the brand. The sportswear giant also will continue to have its players wear Nike footwear on the court during WNBA games.
Nike currently has endorsement relationships with 43 WNBA players, including Sue Bird, Becky Hammon, Diana Taurasi, Candice Wiggins, and veteran Lisa Leslie, who is in the midst of her final season. Leslie has been wearing special commemorative Nike shoes since the beginning of this season, in recognition of breast health awareness and in celebration of the conclusion to her illustrious career.
Nike also will feature the Minnesota Lynx's Wiggins in its Delicious Training campaign, which in conjunction with other pro female athletes, is designed to inspire teen girls and lead them in being the best they can be. The campaign will launch in August and will be promoted through advertisements in Teen Vogue, highschoolsports.net, Seventeen Magazine, and seventeen.com, along with exposure on nikewomen.com.
"Nike has long been an ardent supporter of women's basketball and a wonderful partner of the WNBA," said WNBA President Donna Orender. "We are thrilled to continue our successful partnership and look forward to working with Nike to engage our fans and continue the growth of the game among women, men and young fans."
"We are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the WNBA. We share the common goals of development and growth of the league both on and off the court," said John Slusher, Nike VP of Global Sports Marketing.
About the WNBA
The WNBA is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity. Comprised of 13 teams, the WNBA is the most successful women's professional team sports league in the world. The league concluded its historic 12th regular season with increases in attendance, ratings, Web traffic, and merchandise sales. The 2009 WNBA season tipped off June 6 on ABC.
Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women's health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education. For more information on the WNBA, log on to www.wnba.com.
About Nike
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.
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