Location: New York, USA
WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.
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Position Summary
The 2027 NBA Summer Internship is a 10-week program that runs from June 7 – August 13, 2027. The program gives participants the opportunity to learn about the business of basketball, develop critical career skills, and contribute to meaningful projects across a range of departments in the NBA and its affiliate leagues (WNBA & G League). In addition to on-the-job experience, interns are invited to participate in a broad array of professional development programming as well as community and social experiences.
The program prioritizes rising seniors, with limited exceptions for graduate students, based on business need.
Interns should reflect excellent academic standing and have strong written and verbal communication skills. Additionally, we look for candidates who possess leadership skills as demonstrated through relevant extracurricular or community activities.
More information on the Summer Internship program experience can be found here.
Role Overview
Selected interns will aid in the development and management of media, merchandising, licensing, and marketing partnerships with some of the world’s most recognizable brands. Major assignments may include market research on sales and new business opportunities, preparation and support of partnership meetings, and detailed analysis of market opportunities. Additional responsibilities may include the day-to-day assignments to support on-site events and activations, content capture, and preparation for partner development conversations.
Past interns have worked across a range of departments, including:
Digital Media, which advances fan and business growth for the league and teams through digital technology and business innovation. Our work is focused on cross-functional collaboration to architect strategy, develop strategic partnerships, and identify and operate high-value solutions spanning AI transformation, digital products, and emerging technologies for the league and teams.
Global Media Distribution, which manages the NBA’s relationships with domestic and international media partners, overseeing the distribution of game and programming content worldwide. The team delivers NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, and USA Basketball content to fans across more than 200 countries and territories.
Global Partnerships, which develops and manages marketing and merchandising partnerships with some of the world’s most recognizable brands. The group works closely with these partners to leverage our commercial assets (including league and team marks, marketing rights, game imagery, brand integrations, and league events and experiences) to drive storytelling and connections with fans of the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball.
These roles require interns to demonstrate a foundational mastery of AI technologies in driving project execution and achieving business objectives.
Major Responsibilities
May include, but not limited to
Working with our global business development team to pursue prospects through initial contact strategy, development and delivery of sales presentations and proposals, negotiation, and contract execution
Coordinating with internal teams and resources to develop customized programs for prospects and bring best ideas to market (e.g., Media, Partnership Development, Partner Management, Partner Activation, Hospitality, Licensing, Social Responsibility, Marketing, Team Marketing & Business Operations, PR, Affiliate Leagues)
Identifying sales prospects and key company contacts for potential sponsorship across our portfolio of leagues
Conducting field research across key emerging industries, categories, international companies, and executives for relevancy and points of entry to identify new content technologies and business opportunities
Establishing and managing relationships with key external contacts (e.g., corporate decisionmakers at prospective companies and influencers in the sports marketing and agency worlds)
Required Education & Professional Experience
Enrolled in an undergraduate program and entering Senior year in the academic year following the internship
These roles are open to all but typically best suited for individuals in the following majors: Business Management, Communications, Digital Media, Fashion Merchandising, Film/Media Studies, Graphic Design, or Photography
Preferred Skills & Knowledge Attributes
- Proven project management experience
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Eagerness to learn and willingness to work hard
- General knowledge of sponsorships, sports business, and/or industry knowledge
- Innate curiosity about the evolving media landscape and consumers’ consumption of said content
- Ability to independently forge relationships internally to advance projects
- Facility and familiarity with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
- Knowledge of new and emerging platforms and social networks being used by their peers
- Considerable experience and understanding of capturing content, implementing content strategy, and communicating with niche audiences
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop preferred
Salary Range
$26/hr
Job Posting Title
Summer Intern
Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical; short-term disability; mental health coaching/therapy; and sick time.
Eligibility Note: Not all positions are eligible for these benefits; eligibility may vary by role.
We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law.
About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.
NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. The NBA's digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. The NBA's Tap to Watch provides seamless access to local, national and global live game telecasts via the NBA App, NBA.com, third-party digital platforms and NBA partner platforms.
NBA Cares, the NBA's global social impact platform, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.
Job description provided by NBA.
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