Anheuser-Busch is once again partnering with the Nets under a new multifaceted, multiyear deal, becoming the official domestic beer sponsor of the team and its NBA 2K League affiliate NetsGC. The brewer’s previous deal with the team ended in ’16. Anheuser-Busch is also now the presenting sponsor of the Nets City Edition Platform, with the team last night unveiling its alternate jerseys for this season that continue to honor The Notorious B.I.G. In correlation, Anheuser-Busch has rolled out a special version of its Budweiser bowtie logo, shifting the crown from the middle of the emblem to now hover over the “B,” also a tribute to the late rapper.
As part of the deal, Anheuser-Busch will get signage in Barclays Center and then an elevated presence in the arena on City Edition nights. Additionally, three suites are being knocked down to build a Budweiser Lounge that will be open later this season. BSE Global Senior VP/Partnerships & Strategy Bryan Calka said the popularity of last year’s City Edition jerseys led the team to explore creating a specific partnership around the platform, and Anheuser-Busch was a perfect fit. "Anheuser Busch was looking for an authentic way to be woven into Brooklyn culture and our City Edition platform presented that opportunity," Calka said. Budweiser Dir of Sports Marketing Matt Davis agreed with the sentiment, noting the company wants to "move away from typical logo placements and would rather do something to enhance the fan experience," which it believes will be the case with this partnership.
