Ahead of the basketball league’s second season in January, Maker’s Mark, the handmade Kentucky bourbon, has announced it will be the first Official Spirits Partner of Unrivaled presented by Samsung Galaxy—the athlete-founded and player-owned women’s basketball league ushering in a new era for the game. This is Maker’s Mark’s first-ever sports league sponsorship. As part of the multi-year partnership, Maker’s Mark will bring the spirit of sport to life throughout the season at games at Sephora Arena in Miami and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
“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,” said Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled Co-Founder. “That’s what makes Maker’s Mark a perfect fit as our first Official Spirits Partner. We’re grateful for their support in our continued pursuit of making the unreasonable a reality for women’s basketball.”
Rob Samuels, eighth generation whisky maker and managing director at Maker’s Mark added, “Maker’s Mark founders—my grandparents—broke with tradition to reimagine what bourbon could be—a perfectly unreasonable spirit that endures today. Beginning with co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled shares that same spirit, and we’re delighted to shine a light on their community of players who prioritise passion and purpose on and off court.”
As part of the partnership, Unrivaled ticketholders will have the chance to engage with Maker’s Mark brand experiences in select hospitality spaces and enjoy specialty cocktails inspired by the league. At Sephora Arena in Miami, Maker’s Mark will take over their new VIP Loge Box, creating an immersive space for VIP guests. At select games, Maker’s Mark will also be part of Unrivaled’s pre-game Fan Fest experience outside the arena where fans can enjoy games, photo opportunities, exclusive merch and activations in Unrivaled style.
Maker’s Mark will also appear in-arena through displays with broadcast-visible signage. Thirty-second commercial spots will run on media partners including TNT and truTV throughout the regular season and playoffs, featuring the new Perfectly Unreasonable global campaign, which celebrates the idea that going to unreasonable lengths—in life and in bourbon—is what separates good from remarkable. In parallel, Maker’s Mark will run custom content on Bleacher Report.
“This partnership brings together two brands that have challenged convention with an independent and generous spirit to create something truly new and compelling for their category,” said Regan Clarke, U.S. vice president of American Whiskey Brands, Suntory Global Spirits. “We’re thrilled to bring the dynamic energy of Unrivaled to life for basketball and bourbon fans alike—whether they’re enjoying the game in the arena or tuning in to watch with friends over a Maker’s Mark cocktail.”
This announcement comes ahead of Unrivaled’s highly anticipated 2026 season, tipping off January 5 in Miami. Building on a breakthrough inaugural year that engaged and excited millions of fans, the league returns bigger than ever, featuring two new clubs, a redesigned arena with expanded fan sections, and their first-ever tour stop in Philadelphia. With broader national broadcast coverage with a fourth night of games, new brand partners and a growing roster of the sport’s biggest players, Unrivaled continues to push women’s basketball forward and redefine what a player-led league can look like.