• by Teresa Buyikian , October 31, 2024

The world series may be over (Go Dodgers!), but basketball is always keeping things hot—especially in the wing department.

Last week Wingstop announced a multiyear partnership, declaring the chicken wing giant the official chicken partner of the NBA, as well as the NBA G League, the NBA’s official minor league.

The deal, which is Wingstop’s first partnership with a major U.S. professional sports league, will help the brand “leverage media exposure through virtual and courtside signage during nationally televised NBA broadcasts, and will appear on the leagues' social and digital platforms throughout the season,” per the announcement.

"Wingstop … has established itself as a mainstay in the gameday routines of many of our fans," said Julie Morris, NBA senior vice president of commercial development and media in a release. "We … look forward to collaborating on… ways to engage with our fans, bringing them closer to the sport they love."

But this isn’t the first time Wingstop, which now boasts over 2350 locations worldwide, has worked with the NBA. The new partnership builds on the chain’s existing team deals with the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks.

The collaboration includes providing Wingstop with a significant presence at the NBA All-Star game, which in 2025 takes place in Oakland, California. The brand is also presenting partner of the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Green Carpet, which hosts celebrity arrivals to the All-Star game on Feb. 14 at the Oakland Arena.

The deal also supports the NBA G League, comprised of 31 teams, with 30 of those having a direct affiliation to NBA franchises for 2024-25. Described as “the league that offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere,” it also touts that over half of 2023-2024 NBA roster players joined the league after playing in the NBA G.