Beats by Dr. Dre, the headphone brand co-founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a comprehensive marketing and merchandising partnership that will make the company the official headphone, wireless speaker and audio partner of the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), NBA G League and USA Basketball beginning in October 2018.
“Beats revolutionized the music industry and has become one of the most innovative and culturally-influential brands in the world,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Through our partnership, we have an exciting opportunity to merge sports, pop culture and technology to deliver unparalleled experiences and premium products to our fans.”
In celebration of Beats’ 10-year anniversary, the multi-year deal will build on the music and tech brand’s global recognition by leveraging its extensive roster of NBA stars including LeBron James, Draymond Green, James Harden, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum and Karl-Anthony Towns.
“The NBA and its players have long been significant drivers of global culture. Basketball, music and style speak as one voice. Julius Erving became a style icon; Allen Iverson cemented hip hop’s place on and off the court and LeBron James is breaking new music every day. … The list goes on and on,” said Luke Wood, president of Beats by Dr. Dre. “This partnership with the NBA is the perfect alignment for Beats. It feels like coming home.”
“I always want to be the best and work with the best. That’s why I joined the Beats fam; they have the best headphones, and they made them a style icon when no one else thought of electronics that way,” said six-time NBA All-Star James Harden. “Whether I’m traveling, working out or decompressing after a game, I can’t imagine listening to anything without them. Beats loves basketball and always works to tell the stories of their favorite players. I’m excited to see what they do with the NBA.”
As part of the expansive partnership with the NBA, Beats will provide product to players and activate during marquee events including NBA All-Star, NBA Draft presented by State Farm, international NBA games in China and Europe, WNBA All-Star, WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, and USA Basketball men’s and women’s national team exhibition tours.
Beats will also collaborate with and establish separate deals with NBA teams and launch a line of its audio products for fans around the world including NBA team-branded headphones.
