Weeks After Jeff Bezos’ Rumoured Interest, Indian Billionaire Announced Entrance Into NBA World with Major Retail Deal

NBA fans in India are probably on cloud nine as of now. It was recently reported that the league had initiated a partnership with Reliance Retail. Reliance is India’s largest retail company with over 15,000 stores across the country. NBA and Reliance announced during a press release that they would be working together to launch a wide range of NBA merchandise in the country. The news was released on October 12, 2022.

Reliance Retail is owned by the eighth richest person in the world, Mukesh Ambani. The Indian businessman’s net worth is estimated to be around $95.7 billion. Reliance will be introducing apparel showcasing the official NBA brand and the sizes will range from youngsters to adults. Additionally, the collection also includes school supplies, accessories, toys, and many more.

As of now, fans can purchase merchandise at selected Reliance stores and their e-commerce website. But wait, there’s more! Customers will be given the whole NBA experience as the store’s TVs will display NBA-related content and game highlights. Fans will also be able to win prizes through sweepstakes. The collaboration makes sense as Reliance and NBA have come together multiple times previously. Be it the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program or the broadcast agreements on Reliance-owned digital platforms.

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“As the NBA’s popularity in India continues to grow, making products more broadly available reflects our commitment to providing fans in India with a more wide-ranging NBA experience,” said Rob Millman, senior vice president of international licensing and business development at NBA.

Milman further said that the league is looking forward to establishing a stronghold in the Indian market through the partnership with Reliance.

Jeff Bezos might become the new owner of an NBA team

Looks like Mukesh Ambani is not the only billionaire who might be looking to form a strong tie with the league. While the NBA-Reliance collab may be termed as relatively a new development, the rumors regarding Jeff Bezos and the Phoenix Suns have been going around for quite a few weeks. The name of the $139 billion worth entrepreneur started floating around as the potential buyer of Robert Sarver’s Phoenix Suns a while back.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne first named Bezos as the new possible owner in the list of other possible buyers. But Bezos has not yet confirmed the rumors. However, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal sure had some things to say on Bezos-related matter. Days after Bezos’ possible involvement was announced, Shaq gave a startling revelation of his own. O’Neal revealed that he was interested in buying Sarver’s share. However, when he found out that Bezos might be possibly in the run too, he backed out.

“Nobody on this planet can compete with Big Man JB. Because you know what? I just ordered 50 things off Amazon today. Big Man JB got that money coming in!” the former Los Angeles Lakers player told TMZ.

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Although, the Big Aristotle did say that he is open to doing business with the billionaire mogul.

Do you think Bezos will really attempt to buy the Phoenix Suns? Let us know your thoughts is the comments below!