WINE & HOOPS

Move over beer, the NBA is getting into the wine game. The National Basketball Association and Kendall-Jackson Winery have announced a multiyear partnership, making Kendall-Jackson the Official Wine of the NBA and USA Basketball and La Crema the Official Wine of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).  Kendall-Jackson and La Crema have also been named the Official Wine Partners of USA Basketball’s men’s and women’s national teams, respectively. The multi-year agreement marks the leagues’ first-ever official winery partnerships.

Kendall-Jackson will have a presence at league marquee events including elevated experiences, wine tastings and opportunities for players, coaches and fans to learn about and appreciate wine in new and engaging ways. The brand will also serve as the presenting partner of the NBA Experiences Dinner Series, an exclusive, ticketed fan opportunity offered at marquee NBA events. In addition, Kendall-Jackson will become an associate partner for the second-annual NBA Con, the league’s immersive fan event held this summer alongside NBA 2K Summer League. Both experiences will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore wine through pop-up tasting rooms. The brand will also collaborate with the league to host additional tastings and experiential showcases at NBA All-Star and will have the opportunity to produce commemorative wine bottles and gift product to NBA players. Additionally, Kendall-Jackson will be the exclusive wine of USA Basketball’s 50th Anniversary event. The winery’s first vines were planted in 1974, the year USA Basketball was founded.