Apple, Beats by Dre signs exclusive deal with NBA, team-branded headphones coming

Beats has signed a deal with the National Basketball Association to make the Apple-owned company the official supplier of headphones and wireless speakers to the league — with NBA team-branded headphones coming soon.

Beats by Dre will provide product to players and during marquee events like the NBA All-Star game, NBA Draft, international NBA games in China and Europe, WNBA All-Star, WNBA Draft, and USA Basketball men's and women's national team exhibition tours.

"Beats revolutionized the music industry and has become one of the most innovative and culturally influential brands in the world," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "Through our partnership, we have an exciting opportunity to merge sports, pop culture and technology to deliver unparalleled experiences and premium products to our fans."

Beats will also collaborate with and establish separate deals with NBA teams and launch a line of its audio products for fans around the world, including NBA team-branded headphones.

On May 28, 2014, Apple officially announced its intention to acquire Beats Electronics for on May 28, 2014 for $3 billion, with $400 million of it paid in Apple stock. The company continues as an independent entity, with the core of a digital music streaming service used to build Apple Music.

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10 Comments

racerhomie3

said about 5 years ago

Excellent!

Now where is my Mac Mini?
Please just release the A Series for the Mac already!

StrangeDays

said about 5 years ago

Compare this to the NFL who banned their workers from wearing them uncovered. hmmm

bonobob

said about 5 years ago

Oh, good, this is just what I needed! Headphones that cost extra so that a licensing fee can go to the NBA. I'm in!

ihatescreennames

said about 5 years ago

bonobob said:

Oh, good, this is just what I needed! Headphones that cost extra so that a licensing fee can go to the NBA. I'm in!

You aren't required to purchase the NBA styled headphones, or any headphones at all. That said, when Beats came out with colors for the World Cup teams they were a relative hit and I remember people being sorely disappointed when they were no longer available.

Folio

said about 5 years ago

I still prefer the cachet of things you are not required to wear. Apple, more so than Nike vs Adidas, has differentiated quality. But sure, NBA is hip marketer, lots of highlight replays, so I get it, It's also a defensive measure. [Side note: Recently seeing Apple AirPods pop up on middle class African-American males in my city on US East Coast, e.g. within last two weeks on a Sanitation collector and a postal worker, both mobile jobs traveling around neighborhoods. Great advertisement for product need, and value.]