Upper Deck formally announced a licensing deal with Jalen Green, the first high school hoops prospect to sign with the NBA G League. The trading card and memorabilia deal places the first signed trading cards of Green in packs of '19-20 Goodwin Champions cards, which were released to retail this week. Some signed items are now available online (Upper Deck).
ESPORTS CONNECTION: Florida-based esports outfit Misfits Gaming Group expanded its partnership with both the Heat and Magic. Both NBA teams have the rights to include MGG in partnership deals, and both teams will assist in marketing, promotion, digital, and sponsorship sales on behalf of MGG. The partnership provides MGG with access to a variety of non-endemic brands (MGG).
MASSAGE MESSENGER: Clippers F Paul George is the latest athlete ambassador for massage device brand Therabody, and he will “promote the Theragun PRO massager, in addition to the Theragun mini, and the company’s new Wave Roller.” George, who also endorses Nike and Gatorade, among others, said, “I was introduced to Theragun when I first got to the league … I’m a fan of their products, so a partnership just felt natural” (ROLLINGSTONE.com, 7/21).
