D-League To Be Renamed NBA G-League As Part Of Gatorade Sponsorship

[RealGM Wiretap]

Beginning with the 2017-18 season, the NBA Development League (NBA D-League) will be renamed the NBA Gatorade League (NBA G-League) as part of a multiyear expanded partnership announced today by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Gatorade. This marks the first time a U.S. professional sports league has named an entitlement partner.

As part of the partnership, the NBA and Gatorade unveiled a new NBA G-League logo that will be featured across all game balls, team jerseys, oncourt signage, and league digital assets. Additionally, Gatorade will incubate its latest product and equipment innovations into NBA G-League locker rooms, and teams will have the opportunity to collaborate with Gatorade to help players maximize their athletic potential and oncourt performance.

Through the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), the sports fuel company will collaborate with the NBA G-League on programs to enhance player sports performance and recovery. Since 1985, GSSI has helped athletes optimize their sports performance and well-being through research, education, innovation and providing high-caliber sports nutrition science services. GSSI scientists will partner with the NBA G-League on player nutrition and training programs, incorporating the newest technology and innovations in Gatorade testing, product and equipment.

Founded as a league to develop NBA talent, the NBA D-League has become an integral part of the NBA family, with 40 percent of current NBA players having spent time in the NBA D-League and four current NBA head coaches starting as coaches on NBA D-League benches. The league has tripled in size from eight teams during the inaugural 2001-02 season to a record 25 teams for the 2017-18 campaign.

Via RealGM Staff Report

[Tim Reynolds]

Is there a League for a G?
Now listen to me, is there a League for a G?
A place where the undrafted and struggling meet?
A spot for the ones who did wrong, so tell me when I'm gone
Is there a League for a G?


Is there a League for a G?
A court in the sky, tell me where it be
Please anybody will you tell me what you know?
Cause after they die where do gun slingers go?
Visions of a League got me picturin' the cloud
Now I don't even know if any crooks are allowed
Did a lot of dirt, did a lot of things foul
So do I got the right to still say I'm God's child?
Damn! Oh, my Commissioner, forgive me for saying this
But I need to know, is the NBA just a waitin' list?
Can I really go? Is it wearin' like a club
And they say I can't get in cause I'm dressed like a thug
No love outside, knockin' on the NBA's door
Standin' next to undersized 3's and 4's
People still poor, unguaranteed contracts
That's Hell there, is there a League where....

I don't know why but I felt like remixing 2Pac for this news article. Should be the official song IMO.

Personally I think this is ridiculous and overboard with the advertising, but at least there is FINALLY "A League for a G".

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[codydaze]

This is like an Onion article. G-League? Really?

[Tofubeque]

They really did it. They found a worse name than d-league.

[intheair1]

first time a league has named an entitlement partner? nascar says hi and youre welcome for the idea

[ATTL]

Any additional sponsorship money go to the players?

[Triple 7]

I can't believe it's April 1st already.

Wait it's not?

[BasketballJosh]

It's not like there is anything sacred about the NBA D-League name, history or brand. It's a minor league. The profits brought in help keep it afloat so the focus can be put on development for the parent clubs.

Sure it sounds silly, but who cares? The point is DEVELOPMENT first. It's in the name -- well, was -- but you get the point.

[MartyConlonJr]

Brawndo's got what development players crave

[Triple 7]

Brawndo's got what development players crave

That movie was on in the barber shop today when I was getting a cut. My barber was talking about Trump and how he'll either be considered the best president or the worst president.

I have never felt more immersed in a movie in my life

[Hakimbrook46]

Who else finds this idea dumb?

[Pedro]

His momma call 'em D-league, I'm-a call 'em D-league.

[TheCage4]

The NBA continues to find ways to grow their revenue stream yet still have a product on the floor that old school basketball enthusiasts like myself can barely watch.

Once they turn the ball into a round billboard that'll be the final nail.

[Plutonashfan]

All around shameful move but I don't watch the D league so what the hell... Only positive is that maybe the name change will get rid of the negative connotation the name has. For example my friends and I all call scrub players like Quincy Amy "straight D league"

[fuller4379]

Pretty fckn stupid.

[DoItALL9]

Will hockey, baseball, and football (Pacific league?) follow?

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[MeestR]

A,B,C,D,E,F,G.....?

The D-league just got relegated down 3 spots, without anybody jumping over them. How embarrassing!

(and here I thought domestic talent was IMPROVING! Silly me...)

[LeMasta]

G League
where we G's

[Clyde Frazier]

Any additional sponsorship money go to the players?

I'm hoping it helps with their plan to increase salaries. I'm totally against ads on jerseys in the NBA, but anything to bolster the d (g) league as viable alternative to college is a plus.

[Clyde Frazier]

Fun fact: every time you say "g league", you also say "gigli", widely considered one of the worst movies ever made.