OAKLAND, California: NBA franchise Golden State Warriors and Singapore-based Rakuten Sports have entered into a strategic partnership for business development and partner acquisition in key Asia Pacific markets.
Under this agreement, Rakuten Sports – Rakuten Group’s service focused on creating partnerships built on shared values with professional sports teams, athletes, brands and rights-holders around the world – will become the exclusive international partner in Japan, Taiwan and Singapore for the promotion and sale of Warriors partnership packages in these three markets. Rakuten Sports will support the franchise by developing partner-based deals in these key markets.
“Through this partnership with Rakuten Sports, we are excited to identify companies in key Asia Pacific markets that share our values, as well as our desire to grow as brand partners and have a positive impact on the global community,” said Warriors executive vice president, Mike Kitts. “We know that less than 1% of NBA fans worldwide have the opportunity to attend a game in person, but there is a very clear global appetite and fanbase for Golden State Warriors basketball. For us, driving engagement and interaction opportunities with those fans is paramount.”
“Since making history by unveiling our jersey partnership in 2017, the Warriors and Rakuten have worked together to delight fans and grow our brands and the sport of basketball as a whole,” said Rahul Kadavakolu, vice president of Rakuten’s Sports Business. “The Warriors are a model for the sport of basketball today, and we are proud to team up again to bring in like-minded brands and partners for the Warriors in Asia.”
The Warriors will visit Japan this fall for the NBA Japan Games 2022, presented by Rakuten to play two pre-season games against the Washington Wizards at Saitama Super Arena.
This partnership with the Warriors marks a new initiative for the Japanese fintech major in its stated commitment to “empowering the world of professional sport”. In Japan, Rakuten operates the professional baseball team Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and professional J.League soccer club Vissel Kobe, and also serves as the title sponsor for the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships. Rakuten has also partnered with the NBA and the legendary soccer club FC Barcelona.
