Category: NBA News Blog

NETS Basketball is giving Russian speaking fans the opportunity to further connect with the team by making its website viewable in Russian.

By logging on to www.netsrussia.com, viewers will have access to NETS related content translated into Russian, such as articles on the team, interviews with players, coaches and management, photographs, and ticket information. Soon there will be news about ‘An Evening of Russian Culture,’ which will be held during a NETS home game this season.

Since Mikhail Prokhorov’s majority purchase of the team in May, 2010, the NETS are receiving significant interest in Russia. During the team’s visit to Moscow in October, the players conducted a clinic before 3,000 youngsters at the CSKA arena, and several players appeared at an Adidas store to celebrate the opening of the first NETS merchandise shop in Russia.

“We’re excited that Russian-speaking fans will now have the chance to get closer to NETS Basketball in a comprehensive way,” NETS CEO Brett Yormark said. “While we strive to become Russia’s NBA home team, we are also gaining a large Russian fan-base in the metropolitan area, which can now fully experience the NETS.”

“I’m glad we’re reaching out to our global fan base in a personalized way,” said Mr. Prokhorov, the NETS’ principal owner.  “We want Russian speakers from New Jersey to New York to Moscow to see the NETS as their home team, and a Russian language website is an excellent way to further that goal.”

The Russian language website has been developed and is being maintained by Global Advertising Strategies, an interactive agency based in New York City.

“This launch signifies a continued evolution for the NETS online and further demonstrates the team’s commitment to communicate with Russian fans,” said Ryan Gordon, the Media Director of Global Advertising Strategies.

New Jersey Nets guard Devin Harris has been diagnosed with a left knee strain following an MRI performed today, December 1. Harris will miss the Nets next two games, Wednesday night versus Oklahoma City and Friday night at Charlotte, after which time he will be re-evaluated. The injury occurred in the third quarter of Tuesday night’s contest at New York.

Harris has played and started in all 18 games this season, with averages of 17.7 points and a team-high 6.6 assists in 31.7 minutes per game.

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The New Jersey Nets are great at landing sponsorships. Here are their latest deals:

NETS Basketball continues to globalize its franchise as it enters into new sponsorship alliances with PEAK, one of the leading China-based sports products companies, and Zippo, the internationally renowned maker of the famous Windproof Lighter.

In following the team’s participation in the NBA’s China Games in October, the NETS’ new sponsorship with PEAK demonstrates its sustainable business presence in China despite no longer having a Chinese player. PEAK, which is based in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China, became the NETS’ first China-based partner in October 2008.

PEAK’s sponsorship agreement with the NETS includes television-visible courtside and baseline signage that can be seen during the NETS regular season home games that will be broadcast in China this season.

PEAK, which recently opened its U.S. office in Los Angeles, will also receive signage during NETS home games at the Prudential Center on both LED’s and the centerhung scoreboard.

Zippo sells its diverse product line in more than 160 countries, including Russia, the U.S., China, Japan, and India.  It will receive a variety of sponsorship entitlements during the 2010-11 NBA season such as: television-visible courtside signage during NETS home games; advertising time during local radio broadcasts of NETS games; and advertising on the NETS’ English and Russian official team websites.

“PEAK and Zippo are exciting international brands that align perfectly with our global objectives,” said NETS CEO Brett Yormark. “While we continue the globalization of the team, we also remain committed to serving as a marketing solution for international partners. As we form these alliances, it is clear that our message of providing value is resonating throughout the international business community.”

“We are excited to continue in a partnership with the NETS and realize the powerful benefits of building our business through NETS Basketball in the U.S.’s No. 1 media market,” said PEAK CEO Jim Xu.

“Aligning with the NETS gives us traction in two key markets in Russia and the United States,” said Zippo’s Global Marketing Director, David Warfel.  “Our strategy of product diversification and foreign market penetration can be realized through this partnership.  We can leverage our entitlements to promote our Outdoor Line in the U.S. and build awareness in Russia.”

The NETS extended their international reach in October when they announced a sponsorship alliance with Aeroflot, Russia’s leading air carrier and among Russia’s most recognized brands, and with Stolichnaya, a pioneer in the flavored vodka category. In addition to their pre-season games in China, the NETS visited Russia in October and will be playing in the NBA’s first-ever regular season games in Europe in March when they play twice against the Toronto Raptors in London.

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