The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Kendall-Jackson Winery today announced a multiyear partnership, making Kendall-Jackson the Official Wine of the NBA and USA Basketball and La Crema the Official Wine of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Kendall-Jackson and La Crema have also been named the Official Wine Partners of USA Basketball’s men’s and women’s national teams, respectively. The multiyear agreement marks the leagues’ first-ever official winery partnerships.
The NBA’s collaboration with Kendall-Jackson, the family-owned winery based in California, officially links the worlds of fine wine and basketball, celebrating the brands’ shared commitments to excellence and community. Kendall-Jackson will have a presence at league marquee events including through elevated experiences, wine tastings and opportunities for players, coaches and fans to learn about and appreciate wine in new and engaging ways.
Kendall-Jackson will serve as the presenting partner of the NBA Experiences Dinner Series, an exclusive, ticketed fan opportunity offered at marquee NBA events. The brand will also become an associate partner for the second-annual NBA Con, the league’s immersive fan event held this summer alongside NBA 2K Summer League, showcasing a commitment to blend the world of wine with the excitement of basketball. Both experiences will provide attendees an opportunity to explore wine through pop-up tasting rooms. The brand will also collaborate with the league to host additional tastings and experiential showcases at NBA All-Star and will have the opportunity to produce commemorative wine bottles and gift product to NBA players.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kendall-Jackson to the family as the NBA’s official wine partner and look forward to future collaborations across the broad portfolio of Jackson Family Wines brands,” said Julie Morris, NBA Senior Vice President of Commercial Development and Media. “This partnership recognizes the dynamic interests of our players and fans and uniquely blends the culture of wine with the excitement of the game.”
“Our partnership with the NBA is a natural extension of our shared values and our commitment to embracing the evolving landscape of culture and taste,” said Chris Jackson, Co-Proprietor for Kendall-Jackson. “It’s about enriching the fan experience by blending the passion for the game with the artistry of winemaking. As we embark on this exciting journey together, we are setting the stage for a future where wine converges in unexpected and exhilarating ways.”
The origin of the partnership dates to 2020 during the NBA Restart at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. During the pandemic when players, coaches, and staff completed the 2020-21 season inside the “Bubble”, Kendall-Jackson recognized the league’s expanding interest in wine and conducted virtual wine tastings and educational sessions to reaffirm the importance of community and shared experiences.
Additionally, Kendall-Jackson will be the exclusive wine of USA Basketball’s 50th Anniversary event. The winery’s first vines were planted in 1974, the year USA Basketball was founded.
Kendall-Jackson is part of Jackson Family Wines, a global wine portfolio that spans California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada in North America as well as Italy, France, South Africa, Chile, and Australia and includes acclaimed wineries like La Crema, Penner-Ash, Freemark Abbey, Stonestreet and Vérité. In addition to Kendall-Jackson’s partnership with the NBA and USA Basketball, the Jackson Family’s La Crema winery, located in Russian River Valley, the heart of Sonoma County, will be the official wine of the WNBA, celebrating a shared dedication to fostering inclusivity and recognizing the achievements of women.
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