The deal marks the first time an African tourism board has secured a major NBA jersey sponsorship. The 'Visit Rwanda' logo will appear on all Clippers game and practice jerseys, and the brand is also the official coffee sponsor of the team's new Intuit Dome.
Beyond global visibility, the partnership is a strategic move for Rwanda, helping to promote tourism, showcase its culture and natural beauty to a worldwide audience, and strengthen the country's presence in international sports.
Here's what you need to know about the Clippers:
A rocky start to an NBA journey
Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the franchise faced early struggles despite Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo leading the way. In 1978, the team moved to San Diego, becoming the Clippers, a nod to the city's historic clipper ships.
By 1984, the franchise relocated to Los Angeles but spent decades in the shadow of the Lakers, making only occasional playoff appearances and struggling to establish a consistent winning culture.
The rise of 'Lob City'
The Clippers' fortunes changed in the 2010s. The acquisition of Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and superstar Chris Paul in 2011 launched the 'Lob City' era, famous for highlight-reel dunks and fast-paced offence.
During this period, the team won its first Pacific Division titles in 2013 and 2014, becoming consistent playoff contenders, though Conference Finals success remained elusive.
A new era under Steve Ballmer
In 2014, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer purchased the team, bringing financial muscle and a bold vision. The 2019 acquisitions of two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard and superstar Paul George positioned the Clippers as legitimate title contenders. Their milestone came in 2021 when the team reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
The team has also posted 14 consecutive winning seasons, the longest active streak in the NBA, reflecting sustained success and resilience at the top of the league.
Recent achievements
The Clippers have captured three Pacific Division titles in 2013, 2014, and 2024. Their most notable playoff achievement came in 2021, when the team reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time.
Despite these successes, the franchise is still chasing its first NBA championshipâ€"a milestone that continues to fuel the team's ambition and identity as resilient competitors in the league.
The Visit Rwanda partnership
The newly signed multi-year partnership with Visit Rwanda provides both global visibility and community impact.
The 'Visit Rwanda' logo will feature on all Clippers jerseys, reaching an estimated 1.4 billion NBA viewers worldwide.
Beyond branding, the partnership includes refurbishing basketball courts in Rwanda, hosting Rwandan youth coaches in Los Angeles for training sessions, and sending Clippers coaches to Rwanda for clinics and virtual coaching sessions.
Visit Rwanda is also the official coffee sponsor of the Intuit Dome, introducing premium Rwandan coffee to a global sports audience. The collaboration supports the NBA's Basketball Africa League, which has held games at Rwanda's BK Arena, providing young African athletes with development pathways and exposure to professional basketball standards.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/sports/article/la-clippers-rise-and-their-historic-visit-rwanda-partnership
