Marriott Activates NBA Partnership

Image: PHOTO: Draymond Green, NBA, Golden State Warriors, basketball. (photo via Flickr/Keith Allison)
Image: PHOTO: Draymond Green, NBA, Golden State Warriors, basketball. (photo via Flickr/Keith Allison)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 2:15 PM ET, Wed August 23, 2017

Marriott International announced Tuesday that it will continue its partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) into 2018.

The agreement means that the Bethesda, Maryland-based hotel giant will serve as the official sponsor of a series of upcoming events across as many as four different continents.

The partnership will also benefit members of Marriott's trio of loyalty programs, including Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG).

Much like in the past, members will be able to redeem points for a variety of NBA-related experiences through the Marriott Rewards Moments and SPG Moments platforms, whether it's hanging out with current or former players or scoring tickets to high profile games throughout the season.

Select elite members will also capitalize on VIP access and experiences at marquee games and events.

"The global popularity of basketball makes the NBA an ideal partner to provide members of our loyalty programs once-in-a-lifetime experiences," said Marriott's Global Marketing Officer, Karin Timpone, said in a statement. "We know that consumers-more so than ever before-travel for experiences and this one unlocks truly memorable moments for our guests around the world."

Beginning this upcoming fall, Marriott will serve as the official sponsor of the NBA China Games 2017, the NBA Mexico City Games 2017, the NBA London Game 2018 and the NBA All-Star Game 2018 in Los Angeles.

[READMORE]READ MORE: Marriott to Open a New Hotel Every 14 Hours for Three Years[/READMORE]

The Minnesota Timberwolves will play the reigning champion Golden State Warriors in two preseason games in China. The first will be played in Shenzhen on Oct. 5 followed by a rematch in Shanghai on Oct. 8.

The Brooklyn Nets will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Mexico City on Dec. 7 before battling the Miami Heat in the Mexican capital on Dec. 9.

The 2018 NBA London Game will feature the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics going head to head inside London's O2 Arena on Jan. 11. Finally, the NBA universe will descend on Los Angeles in February for the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend.

Marriott initiated its partnership with the NBA in 2015.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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