NBA Team Sponsorship Revenue Rises 8% to $1.6 Billion Thanks to Jersey Patch Deals

During the current NBA season, teams earned $1.62 billion in sponsorship revenue, reflecting an 8% increase from the previous year and a significant 91% jump from $850 million five years ago, as reported by data firm SponsorUnited. Although the total number of deals grew only 2.5%, the partnerships are becoming larger and more strategically important, according to the NBA Marketing Partnerships report for 2024-2025.

However, this amount is still below the NFL’s sponsorship revenue, which reached nearly $2.5 billion, up 6% from last season. A major factor contributing to the growth in the NBA’s revenue is the increased presence of sponsor patches on team jerseys.

These patches, which were introduced in 2017, gained popularity in the league, and the number of deals more than doubled this past year. Six new NBA jersey partners added over $80 million in spending, indicating that partnerships focused on jersey patches are generating considerable interest and revenue.

The recent opening of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome has also boosted overall sponsorship revenue. “When a major stadium opens or a new team joins, it significantly increases league revenue,” noted Bob Lynch, founder of SponsorUnited.

This surge in activity is akin to adding three new teams in terms of revenue generation. This season saw 450 brands making their debut in NBA sponsorships, predominantly from the construction, alcohol, and technology sectors.

Key players like Rakuten and JPMorgan Chase emerged as the top sponsors in the league. Additionally, players are now forging substantial endorsement deals, which, although not counted in team sponsorship figures, often lead to collaboration between brands and teams.

Notably, Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers set a record with 30 endorsement deals in a single season.