The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) today announced Nike (NYSE: NKE) as the Official Footwear and Apparel Sponsor of the association. Nike’s sponsorship will be integrated throughout the NWBA’s events and programs. The multi-year exclusive partnership will elevate the branding image of the NWBA and expand the reach of wheelchair basketball.

Nike stands for sport and physical activity and believes in the power of sport, and is best exemplified through its new message of, ‘If you have a body, you are an athlete.’ In recent years, Nike has featured imagery of wheelchair basketball athletes in its advertisements, most notably three-time U.S. Paralympian and 2012 Paralympic bronze medalist Matt Scott of Detroit, Mich., a hopeful for the 2016 U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Paralympic Team.

“We are very proud to partner with the National Wheelchair Basketball Association as we look to empower athletes through sport,” said Brent Braden, Nike Sports Marketing Director.

Nike is providing the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament National Champions with Nike Dri-Fit shirts and hats starting with the 2016 NWBT in Louisville, Ky., April 7-10. Additionally, Nike will provide additional outfitting to elite level teams and emerging elite programming, as well as supporting developmental programs, and Operation Rebound participants.

“We are committed to aligning with companies like Nike who drive a better world through all of their product lines, and this value can be realized through the wheelchair basketball community,” said Jim Scherr, NWBA Executive Director. “Nike maintains a focus to inspire all athletes and this was our focus in developing this partnership for NWBA programming.”