By Rick Horrow and Karla Swatek
November 4, 2013
Samsung and the NBA announced a multiyear deal making the company the league’s official handset, tablet, and TV provider. The deal is valued at $100 million over three years, and will result in Samsung installing courtside monitors for refs to use during replays. Per the deal, Samsung also will be the title sponsor of the NBA’s Summer League and presenting sponsor of NBA TV’s “Inside the NBA” show. The league’s previous TV and computer sponsors were Haier and HP, respectively.
Between the league-wide sponsorship, a handful of smaller team partnerships, and its endorsement deal with LeBron James, Samsung is investing heavily marketing around the NBA. The timing couldn’t be better. James is the biggest endorser in the NBA, and Samsung needs a strong marketing campaign as it begins selling the new Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
