NBA Referees to Begin Wearing Sponsorship Patches at All-Star Game

A new NBA partnership was announced Thursday that will result in NBA officials wearing sponsorship patches for the first time ever. 

Emirates and the association announced that the airline is now officially the NBA’s global airline partner. As a result, Emirates is now the title partner of the NBA Cup, previously named the NBA in-season tournament. NBA officials will sport an Emirates patch starting at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis on Feb. 18.

“Emirates is a world-class airline that shares our commitment to engaging fans around the world in new and creative ways,” NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said in a press release. “As basketball continues to be recognized as the fastest growing sport globally, this collaboration will showcase the excitement of the NBA to the millions of people who fly Emirates every year.”

NBA referees, including Tony Brothers, shown above during the Rockets-Knicks game on Jan. 17, will begin wearing sponsorship patches for the first time at the All-Star Game on Feb. 18. 

Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports

WNBA officials will start to wear the patch in the 2025 season, and G League referees will start wearing them in the 2024-25 season.