• by Tanya Gazdik , October 27, 2021

Kia America and the National Basketball Association announced a multiyear extension of their exclusive marketing partnership, tipping off the 15th season of the relationship.

As the official automotive partner of the NBA, Women's National Basketball Association and NBA G League, Kia’s presence will continue to grow across the leagues’ performance awards and marquee events.

Both Kia and the NBA have grown over the last three decades, says Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America.  Now, the automaker is expanding the deal with the addition of the WNBA and NBA G League end-of-season performance awards.

Kia is one of the NBA’s longest-tenured partners, says Tara Mulcahy, NBA senior vice president, global partnerships. 

With an expanded presence as the official partner of the Kia All-NBA Teams and NBA Summer League, the deal aims to broaden Kia’s fan engagement throughout the league’s calendar, Mulcahy says.

The renewal will see Kia serve as an official partner of Summer League and the title partner of the NBA’s seven All-NBA teams.

Kia will continue to build on its commitment to women’s sports with an expanded partnership with the WNBA, which just completed its 25th season.

The automaker will serve as the title partner of the Kia WNBA monthly awards and Kia WNBA end-of-season performance awards.

Kia also carries 13 partnerships across NBA teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns.