Sports: NBA India push and green jersey

The National Basketball Association has put a dedicated executive atop its India business, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru is using an Indian Premier League match to push its green identity. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) (indianexpress.com) The NBA named Sunny Malik as country head for India on April 17, 2026, and said he will lead the league’s strategy and operations in the market. Malik has already worked with the league in India, including as business head for global partnerships and media. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) (pr.nba.com) That appointment comes after several NBA India commercial moves in 2023, including a localized digital-content deal with NEWJ, a broader fanwear partnership with Suditi, and the launch of NBAStore.in with Bhaane. The league said in September 2023 that the 2022-23 season drew more than 100 million unique viewers in India across linear, social, and digital platforms. (pr.nba.com 1) (pr.nba.com 2) (pr.nba.com 3) (pr.nba.com 4) RCB, meanwhile, wore its green jersey against Delhi Capitals at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, April 18, 2026, as part of a club campaign it calls the “Green Initiative.” Indian Express reported the jersey switch for the IPL 2026 home match, and the franchise said the shirts are made from recycled materials. (indianexpress.com) (royalchallengers.com) RCB said the initiative began in 2011 and described itself as “the only carbon-neutral T20 franchise in the world,” with a longer-term goal of becoming carbon positive. The club has tied the campaign to fan pledges and environmental projects in Bengaluru, including lake restoration work highlighted by the franchise in 2024. (royalchallengers.com 1) (royalchallengers.com 2) (royalchallengers.com 3) The two announcements land in different sports, but both are about building a market through local presence and repeat branding. The NBA is adding management structure in India; RCB is turning one of its home dates into a recurring identity event tied to Bengaluru and sustainability. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) (royalchallengers.com) India has been a long-running target for global sports leagues because of its young audience, digital viewing growth, and merchandising upside. The NBA’s recent India deals have focused on content, apparel, and e-commerce, while IPL teams such as RCB increasingly package club identity around causes as well as results. (pr.nba.com 1) (pr.nba.com 2) (pr.nba.com 3) (royalchallengers.com) Neither move changes a scoreboard on its own, but both show how sports businesses now sell more than games: one is hiring for expansion, and the other is dressing a fixture as a statement. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) (indianexpress.com)