Sprint becomes the new wireless carrier of the NBA replacing long-time partner T-Mobile

The NBA's long-time wireless carrier partner, T-Mobile, has been benched. Replacing the nation's fourth largest carrier is Sprint. The latter plans on continuing some of the same promotions that T-Mobile used with the NBA such as using television commercials and a digital marketing campaign for exposure. Sprint also will be offering a special Android app called Sprint NBA Mobile which will offer in-game video, scores, news, stats and radio broadcasts of NBA games.

There is no word on how this change will affect deals made by individual NBA teams. Last year, the Miami Heat signed a multi-year contract with T-Mobile to become the Heat's official wireless carrier. This deal allowed T-Mobile to put up signs in the American Airlines Arena as well as giving the mobile operator airtime on Miami Heat broadcasts and allowing for other special promotions during Heat home games.

T-Mobile used Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley in its television commercials along with Miami Heat Superstar Dwyane Wade. Sprint has not yet announced if any NBA players will be taking part in its marketing of the partnership. League Commissioner David Stern said, "NBA fans are leading an increasingly mobile lifestyle, which makes Sprint an ideal partner to help them connect with our game at any time, from anywhere." Sprint CEO Dan Hesse added,"“Only Sprint delivers the NBA without limits to fans with truly unlimited plans, so fans can watch and listen to live games from their phones or check scores and stats as much as they want without worry." As part of the partnership, Sprint's pre-paid Boost Mobile will become the wireless carrier partner for the WNBA.

The NBA's strike-delayed season will open on December 25th with some marquee matchups including a rematch of last year's NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. Sprint will probably be debuting some new television spots on that day.

source: KansasCityBusinessJournal