TOKYO — The National Basketball Association and Rakuten Inc. have announced a marketing partnership that makes the Japanese online giant the exclusive online distributor in Japan of all live NBA games.
The partnership, Rakuten's first with a North American professional league, comes as the internet services company expands its involvement in sports.
The two companies on Tuesday said Rakuten will offer the NBA's premium live game subscription service exclusively to Rakuten's members through NBA.com, the NBA app and for purchase through Rakuten TV, the company's video-on-demand service.
"Rakuten is one of the world's most innovative companies and an ideal partner for the NBA," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.