NEW YORK, NY, November 19, 2021 - The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) today announced the launch of its first-ever flagship holiday event NBPA 450 Gives, a new experiential + digital activation showcasing the best gifts to give and receive. The NBPA will partner with different sponsors starting November 26 (Black Friday) through December 9 for 14-days of prizes and giveaways that fans can win.

The traveling NBPA-branded holiday pop-up will kick off on Black Friday at Industry City in Brooklyn with launch sponsor Google and Brooklyn Nets star Blake Griffin. He will reveal an NBPA member-curated gift box that fans can enter to win. Curated with assistance from Bifties, a Black, female-owned company that’s all about helping people “give b(l)ack”, the gift box will feature items from Black-owned businesses developed in partnership with Google to celebrate its #BlackOwnedFriday initiative with the US Black Chambers, Inc. The goal of the program is to reimagine Black Friday, as a day to search, shop and support Black-Owned businesses.

“This is a great initiative by the NBPA to bring together fans, brands, and businesses during the holiday season," said Griffin. “I am excited to help kick off NBPA 450 Gives and support some amazing Black-owned businesses with our Black-owned Friday giveaway in partnership with Google.”

Alongside Blake’s appearance, there will also be a live DJ set, NBA2K gaming stations, free baked goods from Brutus Bakeshop, a Black female-owned bakery based in Brooklyn, and coffee from BLK & Bold, a Black-owned coffee company which donates 5% of their profits to supporting at-risk youth, to lead off a packed schedule of giving.

The traveling pop-up will make stops each day throughout New York City. It will feature special interactive experiences for fans, revealing new gifts fans can win from the NBPA and its participating partners. Prizes include a trip for two to attend the next NBPA event during All-Star Weekend, Mitchell-N-Ness prize packs, New Era caps, digital gift cards from Merrell and Barcode, and more. Google, 2K, Merrell, Barcode, Blk & Bold, Champion, and Mitchell-N-Ness are among the sponsors.

“We are very excited to launch NBPA 450 Gives going into the holiday season alongside an incredible lineup of partners,” said Que Gaskins, interim President of THINK450, the innovation and partnership engine of the NBPA. “Our players love to give back and engage with their communities, especially during the holidays, and this hybrid event of both experiential and digital activations serves as another unique way for them to connect with fans and showcase the businesses and brands they love.”

Fans can follow @TheNBPA, search the hashtag #NBPA450Gives, or visit NBPA.com/450Gives for updates on where to find the NBPA pop-up and instructions on how to enter to win the daily giveaway.

For more information or to get a full schedule of the 14 days of giveaways, please contact hanifs@11ounces.com or communications@nbpa.com.

About the NBPA

The National Basketball Players Association is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of our players, magnify the power of their collective will, and amplify their voices as leaders who will transcend sport and society globally.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, or counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities.

Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the subsidiary of the NBPA charged with managing the players’ group licensing rights.

About THINK450

THINK450 is the innovation and partnership engine of the NBPA, dedicated to uncovering shared interests between the 450 players and leading brands to build more engaging partnerships. Together with its partners, THINK450 creates original ideas that engage fans, stir them to action, and earn brands the right to participate in cultural conversations. For more information, visit THINK450.com.

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