• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The NBA trades in a D for a G, partners with Gatorade to form the G-League

Gatorade hopes to bring some juice to the NBA Development League. Photo via Getty Images

Gatorade hopes to bring some juice to the NBA Development League. Photo via Getty Images

The NBA has announced a new activation with Gatorade to rename the NBA D-League (short for developmental league) into the NBA Gatorade League (G-League) starting in the 2017–18 season. Specific terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Not only is this a fantastic play on letters — Gatorade has been focused on trying to establish their G Series brand — but also a perfect molding of mantras. The NBA wants the G-League to be branded as an avenue for players to improve their performance while teams can use it as a resource to develop prospects at their own pace. Gatorade will be able to leverage that and enhance their standing as an athlete development brand.

With 22 teams in place and three more on the way for the 2017–18 season, the NBA is inching closer to finally having their own 30-team farm system.

Want more great content like this? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter!

As time goes on, the G-League should no longer be a place where players go to disappear, but rather an important cog in the development of a prospect or battle-tested veteran.

Player salaries for the league will be on the rise thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement, and partnering with Gatorade brings a credibility to the league that the NBA (and its followers) have been seeking.

Why would anyone else take the league seriously if it didn’t even do so itself?

This announcement and the upcoming league expansion changes all of that. Order has been restored, and the NBA continues to hit home runs.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks former player Charlie Villanueva laughs during warm ups before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Philadelphia 76ers at the American Airlines Center.

The Sports Media Company That Went From $0 to $1M in Revenue..

Theo Pinson and Charlie Villanueva are among investors in the business.

Caitlin Clark, Fever Draw Record 2.7M Viewers vs. Sky

Caitlin Clark recorded her third career triple-double.
Jason Dantona

The Face of the Knicks-Celtics Rivalry Is a Long Island Battery Salesman

Jason Dantona achieved internet fame for his viral interview disparaging Boston.

Featured Today

AA Mint Cards

Young Collectors Are on a High-Stakes Chase for Ultra-Rare Trading Cards

“They just want that excitement of the chase,” says a 23-year-old collector.
Donnie Gobourne JDL
May 17, 2025

U.S. Professional Softball Players Are Flocking to Japan to Get Paid

The Diamond League offers paychecks and amenities that the U.S. can’t beat.
Jun 1996; Seattle, WA USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Supersonics guard Gary Payton (20) lays the ball up against the Chicago Bulls during the 1996 NBA Finals at Key Arena.
May 15, 2025

5,000 Pieces of Thunder History Are Hidden in Seattle

Sonics championship banners, trophies, and retired jerseys are all in one place.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
May 15, 2025

House v. NCAA Settlement to Pay College Athletes: All Your Questions Answered

The yearslong lawsuit over player compensation is in the home stretch.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 6 of Portfolio Players, dive into the world of sports investment with George Pyne, founder and CEO of Bruin Capital. Discover why owning a sports team is considered recession-proof, how leagues like MLB and UFC have adapted to the new media landscape, & the complexities of NIL.
January 15, 2025

State Farm Cancels Planned Super Bowl Ad Amid California Fires Controversy

State Farm’s Super Bowl ad last year featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.
Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; From left: Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears on the ESPN Monday Night Football Countdown set before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
December 17, 2024

A ‘Wave’ of Sports Content Is Coming to TikTok

The next generation is consuming sports in a different way.
Apr 7, 2022; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy (left) and Brooks Koepka set up to putt on no. 9 during the first round of The Masters golf tournament.
November 27, 2024

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf TV ‘Showdown’ Will Pay Out $10M Crypto..

Two golfers from each tour will face off in Las Vegas.
Oct 29, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts after hitting a RBI single against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium.
October 31, 2024

Strauss Ads on MLB Helmets Annoyed Some Fans. CEO Says They Were a ‘Huge Success’

Strauss’s deal with MLB goes until 2027.