The National Basketball Association (NBA) has signed an expansion on its content deal with Yahoo Sports, owned by Verizon Media.
Through this extension, the website is now the league’s official marketing partner.
Both parties will benefit from the other giving them branded promotions in prominent spots.
The NBA returned to action yesterday, having been forced into hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unique new features of the partnership
From the beginning of next week onwards, Yahoo will distribute new betting-related content. On top of this, the Verizon Media-owned entity will putting virtual reality (VR) games out there.
RYOT, which is a sister company of Verizon Media, will be the NBA’s official production partner. This started upon the resumption of the current campaign.
Verizon Media Chief Executive Guru Gowrappan shared his thoughts on the extended partnership with the NBA. These were as follows.
“NBA League Pass in VR is exactly the kind of innovative solution we love to create with our partners.
“Working with the NBA to redefine the fan’s experience of the game has amazing implications for the future of sports and entertainment.”
“There will be no shortage of opportunities to get closer to the game”
Yahoo will include NBA-branded promotions across its platforms. In addition to this, the Yahoo sportsbook will now contain both NBA logos. Content from the league is also expected to feature.
Aside from this, Yahoo’s fantasy basketball website is expected to soon have more wagering-oriented game previews and recaps.
NBA President of Global Media Distribution Bill Koenig hailed the deal as giving fans more options to watch the sport they love. His words are below.
“With everything from fantasy games, sports betting integrations, gaming-focused content and NBA games in VR, there will be no shortage of opportunities to get closer to the game.”
To expand its presence within the sports betting landscape, Yahoo Sports also announced a major partnership with BetMGM last year.
