• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

The NBA Partners With ExxonMobil To Become “Official Motor Oil”

By: Zach Seybert, @zlseybert

Earlier this week, the NBA and ExxonMobil announced a new multiyear marketing partnership, making ExxonMobil an official marketing partner of the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and NBA Development League (NBA D-League).

The NBA is not unfamiliar with motor oil companies, as the league had a smaller deal with Castrol (a current sponsor of the NFL) more than 20 years ago. This deal is, however, new to ExxonMobil as it marks the first sponsorship of a sport other than motorsports (racing, etc.).

ExxonMobil's partnership with the NBA marks the first non-motorsports sponsorship for the oil company. Photo via businesswire.com.

The partnership represents the largest and most comprehensive deal between the league and a motor oil company in the league’s 70-year history. Per terms of the agreement, ExxonMobil’s Mobil 1 lubricant will become the “Official Motor Oil of the NBA, WNBA and the NBA D-League” in the United States and China. In addition, ExxonMobil will create NBA-themed campaigns to be featured on social media channels.

Having a first-of-its-kind deal with a corporate sponsor is nothing new to the NBA. With the increase in conversations of adding sponsorships to jerseys, it will be interesting to see if this partnership has any effect on that seemingly inevitable occurrence. It was reported that the NBA will start selling sponsorships for jerseys in the 2017–18 season, also the first season of Nike’s jersey sponsorship, and the Philadelphia 76ers have become the first organization to sell said sponsorship. The StubHub logo will appear on the team’s jerseys opposite the Nike Swoosh. With this move, the NBA became the first major sports league to allow corporate sponsorship patches on its game jerseys, a move that is expected to bring in $100 million annually. The NFL currently allows sponsorship logos on team’s practice jerseys, but not the game worn jerseys.

In a time where the NBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is expiring at the end of this season, the NBA and NBPA are trying to agree on terms of a new agreement. The NBA’s television deal provided millions of dollars in additional revenue, thus allowing owners to increase the salaries of their top players, but the NBPA is likely looking to increase the players’ salaries even more. This new partnership, although the terms were not disclosed, could be seen as a revenue-generating move and bargaining chip in those negotiations.

It will be interesting to see if the league creates any more new partnerships or ways to generate revenue as talks with the NBPA ramp up.

For the full release, including the video announcement, click here.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBC Made Its NBA Return Feel Big

From the nostalgia to Jordan getting personal, NBC hit the right chords.

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
Keegan Murray

$20 Million Per Year Becoming New Baseline for NBA Role Players

Christian Braun signed a five-year deal worth $125 million.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
August 11, 2025

NBA Christmas Schedule Leans on LeBron, Steph While Betting on Flagg

The Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets are all in action.
August 10, 2025

Bears CEO: Arlington Heights Only Local Location for New Stadium

The Bears currently play in Soldier Field in downtown Chicago.
August 8, 2025

Three Schools Sue Mountain West, Commish Over Withheld Funds

Boise State, Colorado State, and Utah State intensified the court battle.
Courtesy: Harlem Globetrotters
July 25, 2025

The Harlem Globetrotters Have Changed Hands Repeatedly, but Keep Making Money

The team is gearing up for its 100th season.