Molten Renew Sponsorship deal with British Basketball League

[Sam Neter]

Molten, the world’s largest manufacturer of inflatable sports balls, has renewed its sponsorship of the British Basketball League (BBL) for a second three-year term.

The new three-year deal, which commences this month (September 2009), sees Molten’s distinctive, 12-panel G-Series basketball, once again, as the exclusive and official BBL league and club ball.

The sponsorship package includes two elements, namely a substantial supply of the Molten G-Series professional basketballs and funding. While the balls will be used in all BBL games, cup games and championship finals, as well as all junior development programmes, community projects by BBL Clubs and any other events which the BBL undertakes, the cash is to be directly invested by BBL in a scheme to develop basketball in the clubs’ communities.

A further element of the sponsorship agreement means that all Molten products, including digital scoreboards, continue to be available exclusively online via the BBL web site (www.bbl.org.uk).

Bob Hope, chairman of Molten Sports and one of the original founders of the League, said: “We are very pleased to be in a position to continue our sponsorship of the British Basketball League for a second three-year term, despite the current economic climate. We feel it is vital that the top UK professional teams play with the latest basketball equipment in the build up to London 2012 and we have been able to continue our sponsorship following strong basketball sales over the year, which have increased by over 35%. In addition, we have developed an excellent working relationship with the BBL over the past three years and are looking forward to developing it even further over the coming years and assisting them, not only with a supply of balls, but also in helping to improve club development and competition.”

He continued: “Indeed sponsorship of the League fits in well with our programme of basketball sponsorship, which currently includes all FIBA international events and all the GB Teams, the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association, Basketball Ireland, Basketball Wales, England Schools Basketball and Mini-Basketball England.”

Paul Blake, chairman, British Basketball League added: “Our clubs use the Molten range of basketballs across all elements of their business from community work right the way through to the top level BBL Competitions. We feel the Molten basketballs are, by some distance, the best in the business and hence we are delighted to be extending this deal for a further three year period.”

Source: www.bbl.org.uk