NBA Extends Cisco Partnership in Multi-Year Deal

The National Basketball Association (NBA) have inked a multi-year extension with networking equipment manufacturer, Cisco Systems.

Cisco will remain the league’s official technology partner after signing on as partners in 2007.

Cisco will maintain a series of category rights for the NBA, WNBA, NBA D-League and USA Basketball.

The new deal, however, contains a series of new elements, including a larger role with the WNBA. Cisco will help create a new Cisco WNBA Inspiring the Future Award recognizing exceptional female leaders in tech education.

The extension also calls for the creation of a committee involving NBA and Cisco execs to “enhance courtside connectivity within NBA venues.”

NBA Exec VP/Global Marketing Partnerships Emilio Collins said, “Cisco has consistently incorporated innovative technology solutions into our partnership, from enabling connections with our fans to transforming collaboration among our employees.

“As we continue to look at growing the game experience and the ways in which it can be presented and consumed, we know that Cisco will play a vital leadership role with us.”

“Today’s partnership extension reflects our mutual and ongoing commitment to bringing innovation to the NBA and the game of basketball through the Internet of Everything,” said Blair Christie, Cisco SVP and Chief Marketing Officer.

“Together we are enabling new fan experiences and, with our new research and development initiative, will see the amazing things that can happen when we connect the unconnected. We also look forward to extending our relationship into Brazil and impacting that country in new ways by bringing their sport and fan experiences to a new level.”

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