TO CELEBRATE its 75th anniversary, the National Basketball Association (NBA) joined forces with Formula 1 (F1) for “a first-of-its-kind content and promotion partnership to bring together the broad, global fanbases of the NBA and F1.” It also marked the return of F1 to the country as the 2021 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix happened last Sunday, Oct. 24, in Austin, Texas.
Exclusive imagery featuring F1 cars in custom liveries representing all 30 NBA teams dropped on NBA and F1 social channels around the world. ESPN also hosted F1 drivers as they battled it out off the track in a free throw challenge at an NBA 75th Anniversary-themed basketball half-court within the Circuit of the Americas paddock. NBA legends were on site to meet the drivers and provide shooting tips as they competed to make the most number of free throws out of 10, with US$20,000 up for grabs to be donated to the winner’s charity of choice.
The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-2022 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries.
