Kia, already the official automotive partner of the NBA, has expanded the partnership to support the event to be held at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 23. The Draft will be televised live on ESPN from 19:00 ET, and the car manufacturer’s brand will be prominently featured throughout the event at the host venue and also through coverage on NBA TV and NBA.com. Kia has collaborated with the NBA on various promotional projects since 2008.
“At Kia, we are true fans of the game, and following the drama and excitement of the outstanding 2010-11 season we are pleased to be expanding our basketball presence as the presenting partner of the 2011 NBA Draft,” said Kia Motors America vice-president of marketing and communications Michael Sprague. “Our relationship with the NBA has significantly raised awareness and consideration for the Kia brand and our diverse line-up of stylish and fuel-efficient vehicles, and we look forward to sharing the passion and energy of the NBA Draft with basketball fans across the country and around the world.”
NBA executive vice-president of global marketing partnerships Mark Tatum added: “The NBA Draft is one of the marquee events on the NBA calendar and Kia Motors is an ideal fit to serve as the event’s presenting partner. Since our partnership launched, Kia Motors has dedicated itself to connecting with our passionate fan base, and presenting the 2011 NBA Draft will provide it with another unique way to highlight its vehicles and create unique experiences for our fans.”
On NBA.com, Kia Motors will present the ‘Kia NBA Drive to the Draft’ feature, which will include the NBA Draft Prospect Index and Profile Pages of approximately 160 draft prospects. The automaker will also present the ‘Virtual Green Room’, a platform for behind-the-scenes footage, draftee video journals, exclusive interviews with draftees, and blogs written by NBA.com editors.
The Dallas Mavericks, owned by billionaire media entrepreneur Mark Cuban, won the 2010-11 NBA title on Sunday. However, this year’s Draft will take place under a cloud, with the NBA currently locked in negotiations with the players’ union in a bid to seal a new collective bargaining agreement by the end of this month, when the current deal expires.
