Sacramento Kings to help expand reach of US Grand Prix

Olympic gold medalist David Wise at the 2014 Grand Prix in Park City. USSA/Sarah Brunson

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and the Sacramento Kings ownership group – Sacramento Basketball Holdings LLC, have announced a unique partnership where the Kings will serve as a sales representative for the USSA’s popular Sprint U.S. Grand Prix freeskiing and snowboarding tour. The deal includes global sponsorship sales representation to market and sell property and intellectual rights within Grand Prix, one of the world’s longest running action sports series.

“The USSA is one of the world’s most respected sports associations, and we look forward to together providing unique and innovative sponsorship opportunities starting in Sacramento and stretching across the country,” said Sacramento Kings President Chris Granger. “A central element of our NBA 3.0 philosophy is expanding our business globally. Our two companies have a like-minded culture and shared vision of global growth, and we believe this relationship will create significant opportunities for our brands and communities.”

The Grand Prix, now entering its 19th season, is run under the USSA’s U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding brands, and it served as the primary qualifying series for the 2014 Olympic Teams in halfpipe and slopestyle skiing and snowboarding, which won eight medals in Sochi. The tour will also serve as the pathway to the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.

Sponsorship and media assets will include official sponsorship rights and benefits, group licensing rights, event signage and hospitality, television, print, digital, mobile and social media inventory and assets within the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix. The acquisition of these rights enables Sacramento Basketball Holdings, LLC to attract sponsors on a national and international scale using intellectual property rights and the group licensing capabilities of the USSA.

“Our partnership with Sacramento Basketball Holdings offers a unique opportunity to benefit our freeskiing and snowboarding athletes by expanding the reach of the Grand Prix series. What’s especially valuable for us is Sacramento’s close proximity to Lake Tahoe, which is a vital region to our sport,” noted USSA CMO Michael Jaquet. “The excellence that Sacramento Basketball Holdings, LLC has built within the market in such a short span of time will make this a valuable program for expanding the reach of our Grand Prix.”

The USSA has a wide range of partners committed to the Grand Prix, with Sacramento Basketball Holdings, LLC managing all remaining inventory. Sacramento Basketball Holdings, LLC includes the Sacramento Kings, Sacramento Kings Foundation and Sleep Train Arena. The company focuses on upholding the implementation of the “NBA 3.0” philosophy by utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance the fan experience, acting as a positive agent of change in the community and expanding the team’s global brand.

Release courtesy of USSA