Sprite Announce Partnership with NBL and WNBL as Official Soft Drink Partner

Sprite has signed a multi-year partnership with the National Basketball League (NBL) and Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), stepping in as the Official Soft Drink Partner commencing with the 2026-27 season. 

The agreement integrates Sprite courtside across Australia’s premier basketball competitions, spanning regular-season fixtures, HoopsFest, the Finals Series, and the NBL Next Stars program. Sprite signs as the official soft drink partner of the NBL and WNBL for upcoming seasons.

At the core of the partnership is a dunk-focused content platform titled “The Freshest Dunks”, designed to capture high-energy moments across broadcast, digital feeds, and in-arena screens. The partnership also emphasises the rapid commercial growth of the women’s game, amplifying WNBL athletes through integrated social campaigns.

Commenting on the partnership, Sprite marketing director, Gemma Versteeg, said: “Sprite and basketball have been intertwined for decades.”

“Bringing that story to the local NBL and WNBL is a natural next step.

“Australian basketball is fast, growing and unapologetically itself, which is exactly what Sprite stands for.

“We’re here to own the freshest moments in the game and give fans something worth talking about,” Versteeg said.

Emphasising the economic impact of welcoming major corporate backing to the organisation, NBL group CEO, David Stevenson, added: “Sprite has been a global supporter of elite basketball for a long time, and it’s great to see our connection growing in Australia and New Zealand alongside the continued growth of the NBL and WNBL.”

“Partners like Sprite continue to fuel that trajectory, and I want to personally thank Ahmed and the team at Coca-Cola Australia and New Zealand for backing our players, our fans and the future of elite basketball,” Stevenson said. 

Echoing these sentiments, WNBL chief strategy and basketball partnerships officer, Lauren Jackson pointed to the commercial momentum driving women’s professional sport.

“The WNBL is growing faster than ever, with bigger crowds, more people watching our games and a new generation of fans connecting with our players.”

“Partnerships like this are important because they help us celebrate the moments that make basketball so exciting and put our athletes in front of even more Australians,” Jackson noted.

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