• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

NBA Adds Massage Recovery Technology to the Bench with Hyperice Deal

  • Recovery tech company Hyperice will provide handheld massage device to each NBA player on the bench as part of multiyear deal with league.
  • Hyperice will debut its “Keep Moving” television commercial alongside the league returns to action after the pandemic forced play to halt in March.
NBA to Provide Free COVID-19 Testing in Orlando Through August
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

NBA players can reach for a new recovery tool when sitting courtside as part of the league’s latest partnership.

Hyperice designed an NBA-specific Hyperbox – which includes a Hypervolt massage gun that retails for $399 – for each player’s seat on the bench, according to the multiyear deal announced on July 30.

The percussive products from Hyperice and rival Therabody – manufacturer of the Theragun – have become popular in training rooms and physical therapy clinics over the last couple of years. Percussive therapy is one of the latest myofascial release tools touted to help with soreness, recovery and flexibility. 

“One of the things we are concerned about in the NBA is player health and comfort,” Dan Rossomondo, NBA senior vice president of media and business development, said. “We noticed players using these and we had a conversation between the league and Hyperice about a like-minded partnership.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. A person with knowledge of the length of the deal told Front Office Sports it runs at least three years. 

“The NBA is one of the most forward-thinking leagues in the word,” Hyperice CEO Jim Huether said. “We see our brand as a combination of Tesla, Apple, Nike and Dyson for the recovery and wellness space. This partnership will elevate both brands.” 

Hyperice’s products have previously been used by players and some – including Kobe Bryant – played a role in developing cold and heat recovery products, according to Huether.

“Our company has had a bunch of big moments through the years,” Huether said. “One of those was Kobe Bryant, who helped with ideas to make our ice compression product look better aesthetically in the early days.”

Huether also credited LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard’s use of its Venom line of heat therapy and other devices over the years to give Hyperice some cachet.

READ MORE: Addaday Inks Deal With U.S. Ski & Snowboard In Therapy Device Category Push

Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin said in a news release he invested in Hyperice when it was a year-old startup in 2011. 

“The brand has made huge strides since then and has continued to evolve and innovate new technologies that we as players have all benefited from,” said Griffin, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January. 

No other recovery devices other than Hyperice products can be used on the bench during games, although team medical and training staff are free to use products made by competitors elsewhere. 

Hyperice will debut its “Keep Moving” television commercial alongside the league returns to action after the pandemic forced play to halt in March. The spot – featuring Griffin, tennis star Naomi Osaka, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Team USA Olympic runner Colleen Quigley – is scheduled to run during the Los Angeles Clippers- Los Angeles Lakers opening night on TNT.

Beyond the ads, players captured on camera using the Hypervolt will give Hyperice some major brand recognition. 

“That’s why they wanted to partner with us,” Rossomondo said. “Their products will be seen in and around our benches [on television] and in stands when we get back to normalcy. That’s some significant exposure.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

opinion

McCarthy: Embiid, Kelce May Have Overreacted, but Hard to Blame Them

Joel Embiid shoved a columnist, while Jason Kelce smashed a heckler’s phone.

Embiid’s Clash With Reporter Sparks NBA Probe, Concerns for Sixers

The former NBA Most Valuable Player angrily confronts and shoves a local columnist.

Adam Silver Defends WNBA Media Deal Being Tied to NBA

The WNBA’s media-rights deal is looped in with the NBA’s.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NFL Teams Face Crossroads at Season’s Halfway Point

0:00

Featured Today

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
August 22, 2024

Marketing Stunt Had Major Cycling Race Start In Grocery Store

The Vuelta has a history of creative stage kickoffs.
August 26, 2024

Cooper Flagg Spurns Nike Ties for New Balance

Flagg is the projected top pick in 2025.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
August 19, 2024

Jake Paul Claims He’ll Make $40 Million Off Tyson Netflix Fight

Paul and Tyson are set to fight in Texas in November.
August 16, 2024

Mets Bring Back Grimace in Latest Viral Gambit

Viral marketing is typical for the 2024 Mets, who have leaned in.
August 15, 2024

Saudis Make North American Soccer Inroads With Concacaf Deal

It’s PIF’s first North American soccer investment.
August 9, 2024

Are Track & Field Heading for a Divorce?

Money is rushing into running, but not jumping or throwing.