• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 9, 2025
One week till Asset Class! Request to Attend

Crypto Companies Upend List of NBA’s Top Sponsors

  • Crypto companies were the second biggest sponsor category for the NBA in the 2021-22 season.
  • They were 43rd the year before.
NBA
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA’s top sponsors in the 2021-22 season came from industries familiar to longtime sports fans, with one exception: crypto.

Cryptocurrency companies rocketed to the NBA’s second-largest category with $100 million to $150 million in sponsorships — after placing 43rd the previous season — according to an analysis by consulting firm IEG. 

Only technology companies, which spent more than $170 million on NBA sponsorships, topped the crypto industry.

  • The NBA hit a record $1.6 billion in sponsorship revenue in 2021-22, up 13% year-over-year. 
  • The surge in crypto deals has come almost entirely from five companies: Crypto.com, Webull, Coinbase, FTX, and Socios cover 92% of the industry’s NBA spending.

Arena deals made the biggest splash, with FTX securing rights to the Miami Heat’s arena last year in a 19-year, $135 million deal, and Crypto.com replacing the Staples Center by inking rights to the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, and Kings in a 20-year, $700 million agreement in November.

The NBA ranked third in total sponsorship dollars among U.S. sports leagues in 2021, trailing the NFL ($1.8B) and MLB ($1.7B). 

Familiar Faces

Other than crypto companies, there was little movement among the NBA’s other top sponsor categories. Banks, telecom companies, and sports apparel and footwear placed third through fifth, with $100 million to $150 million in sponsorships apiece.

Beer, insurance, automotive, retail, and lottery, betting, and gaming companies rounded out the top 10, with each spending $70 million to $100 million.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Maverick Carter, LeBron James
exclusive

New International Basketball League Plans Launch, Without Maverick Carter

The venture plans to launch men’s and women’s leagues next fall.
Bucks

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.

Amazon Adds Golf to Its Packed Black Friday Sports Lineup With NFL,..

On Nov. 28, The Skins Game will return for the first time since 2008.
Scott Foster

NBA Refs Testing Earpieces in Preseason Games

The technology won’t be used in the regular season yet.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Louisville’s Miller Moss and several of his teammates stopped by Olympus Gaming Lounge to play EA Sports College Football 26 with fans for a meet and greet. July 11, 2025

Saudis, Silver Lake, Jared Kushner Take EA Private in $55B Deal

Electronic Arts makes “Madden,” “EA Sports College Football,” and more.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.