Historic Partnership is Maker’s Mark’s First Sports League Sponsorship.
Maker’s Mark has been named the Official Spirits Partner of Unrivaled, the player-founded and athlete-owned women’s basketball league entering its second season in January. The multi-year partnership will integrate Maker’s Mark at games held at Sephora Arena in Miami and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Shared Vision of Innovation and Independence
Unrivaled Co-Founder Napheesa Collier emphasized the alignment of values between the two organizations. “What Maker’s Mark has done throughout its renowned history is exactly what Unrivaled aims to do, which is carving our own path to create something better, and leaning into unreasonable ideas instead of shying away from them,” Collier said. “That’s what makes Maker’s Mark a perfect fit as our first Official Spirits Partner.”
Maker’s Mark Managing Director and eighth-generation whisky maker Rob Samuels noted the shared spirit of challenging tradition. “Maker’s Mark founders — my grandparents — broke with tradition to reimagine what bourbon could be… Unrivaled shares that same spirit, and we’re delighted to shine a light on their community of players who prioritize passion and purpose on and off court.”
In-Arena Fan Experiences and National Media Presence
Throughout the season, Maker’s Mark will offer branded fan experiences, including specialty cocktails and activations in select hospitality spaces. At Miami’s Sephora Arena, the brand will take over the new VIP Loge Box, creating an immersive space for guests. Maker’s Mark will also be featured at select pre-game Fan Fest events with photo opportunities, games, and exclusive merchandise.
During broadcasts, Maker’s Mark branding will appear via in-arena signage, commercial spots across TNT and truTV, and custom digital content on Bleacher Report. These placements will highlight Maker’s “Perfectly Unreasonable” campaign.
Unrivaled Builds Momentum Ahead of 2026 Season
The partnership arrives as Unrivaled prepares for its expanded 2026 season, which tips off January 5 in Miami. The league will introduce two new clubs, enhanced arena layouts, a tour stop in Philadelphia, and broader national broadcast coverage. Unrivaled continues to grow its roster of players and solidify its standing as a pioneering, player-led sports organization.
Exclusive Content and Fan Engagement
Both partners will offer fans and ambassadors exclusive content, benefits, and community-focused activations throughout the season. More information, including local bar activations and cocktail recipes, is available at Maker’s Mark’s website and on social media.
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