• October 6, 2008

T-Mobile USA has re-upped for three more years its sponsorship of the National Basketball Association and the Women's National Basketball Association. As part of the deal, T-Mobile will also sponsor the NBA Development League, the NBA's official minor league.

T-Mobile will get a presence on national TV, and will launch a raft of NBA-themed advertisements starring the likes of Dwyane Wade and Charles Barkley. There will also be marketing materials, sweepstakes, promotions, player appearances, and special events.

The company will continue its T-Mobile rookie programs comprising awards presentations and competitions. T-Mobile will have a presence at major NBA Rookies events such as the NBA Draft, NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NBA Rookie Photo Shoot, and the Rookie Transition Program.

T-Mobile will also sponsor NBA Nation, co-branded by automaker Kia which became NBA sponsor this year. In addition, the company will sponsor NBA Europe Live 2008 presented by EA Sports. T-Mobile will also continue to build close relationships with various NBA teams in key local markets, which will allow them to engage with fans on a more local level.

The company's WNBA partnership includes sponsorship of the WNBA Draft, WNBA All-Star Balloting presented by T-Mobile, the WNBA All-Star Game, WNBA Summer Jam, and the WNBA Playoffs and the WNBA Finals.

NBA D-League will also get T-Mobile branding for the first time through such events as all-star balloting, Game at NBA All-Star, and during regular-season games via promotions, signage, and concourse displays.--Karl Greenberg