DoorDash becomes Official On-Demand Delivery Platform of the NBA

Sinking a huge deal, DoorDash has become Official On-Demand Delivery Platform of the NBA, WNBA and NBA 2K League.

Over the past year, DoorDash has become a staple in many people’s lives. With today’s announcement, the last-mile logistics platform has become the Official On-Demand Delivery Platform of the NBA, WNBA and NBA 2K League. While the food and sports partnership is a win for all the organizations, an even bigger initiative looks to make a difference in local communities.

From convenience to necessity, the rise of delivery platforms has been meteoric. That meal was a not only a taste of the familiar, but it was also a lifeline for many restaurants. Every order of tacos, barbecue or even pizza was a way to keep kitchens open while the table sat empty.

By becoming the Official On-Demand Delivery Platform of the NBA, WNBA and NBA 2K League, the organizations understand that strong connection between food, sports and community experiences.

As an avid basketball fan, Tony Xu, DoorDash CEO and Co-founder understands the connection between sports and communities. He said, “This partnership will bring together food, sports, culture and technology to create memorable experiences for fans, while at the same time advancing our shared values of diversity, access and empowering local communities.”

While the partnership creates exclusive partnerships and gameday experiences at home, the collaboration is more than just a bite of that favorite game day food. The Play It Forward Challenge is social media campaign designed to give back and unite communities.

Both DoorDash and the NBA have been proactive in finding tangible and sustainable ways to address racial inequality. The #PlayItForward Challenge is a social media campaign “designed to unite communities and encourage fans to support Black-owned restaurants.”

“This new partnership is a timely first for us as DoorDash is uniquely positioned to amplify our efforts to engage with fans who are watching games from their homes while also stepping up to support the Black-owned businesses in their communities – a key priority and area of focus across our leagues,” said Dan Rossomondo, Senior Vice President, Head of Media & Business Development, NBA.

By using social media platforms, fans are encouraged to share and highlight Black-owned restaurants in their communities. From NBA Players sharing their favorite meals to fans talking about their preferences, the idea is to both support and bring awareness to these restaurants.

As the partnership brings fans closer to the sport that they love, it is more than just placing another food order via a special promotion. The campaign, Food Is Life, shows how food and sports are intertwined. Just like those epic NBA greatest moments can bring excitement, the vast cuisines available via DoorDash are just as thrilling.

This announcement is just the beginning of this partnership. As it evolves, it will be interesting to see how the players, games and promotions bring fans not only closer to the sport that they love but also to expose them to new food experiences. It will be a big win for everyone involved.

What do you think of this DoorDash and NBA partnership? Do you think that more food and sports partnership will be happening?