NBA And Intel Capital Announce Venture Partnership

The National Basketball League (NBA) and Intel Capital have announced a multi-year sports and entertainment investment partnership.

The NBA + Intel Capital Emerging Technology Initiative will look to identify technologies from global companies that have the potential to impact the future of both industries, from an athlete and fan perspective.

The collaboration will focus on US-based start-ups that both parties can evaluate for potential partnership and investment opportunities.

Intel Capital is a division of Intel Corporation which manages corporate venture capital, global investment, mergers and acquisitions.

Wendell Brooks, Senior Vice-President of Intel Corporation and President of Intel Capital, said of the agreement: “Venture investments in sports reached $1.5BN (£1.1BN) in 2017, and the next five years in sports will be defined by even more technology disruption. With this new initiative, the NBA and Intel Capital aim to bring extensive human and technology resources into companies we believe will lead the next wave of transformation in sports and entertainment.”

“We look forward to tapping into Intel Capital’s infrastructure and 27-year track record of identifying successful start-ups,” Amy Brooks, President of Team Marketing and Business Operations at the NBA, added. “Together, we will identify and support the next generation of innovative sports and entertainment technology companies to find and develop new ways to enhance the game on the court and the fan experience.”