Maker’s Mark with Unrivaled women’s basketball league first sports partnership, bringing bourbon experiences to Miami and Philadelphia arenas in 2026.
When a 72-year-old bourbon brand makes its first-ever sports league sponsorship, you know something extraordinary is brewing; and it’s not just in the barrel.
Maker’s Mark has announced a multi-year partnership with Unrivaled, the player-owned women’s basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
This isn’t your typical corporate handshake; it’s a meeting of two rebels who’ve spent decades proving that breaking tradition pays off. The Maker’s Mark and Unrivaled partnership celebrates what happens when unreasonable ambition meets handcrafted excellence, whether you’re rotating bourbon barrels by hand or reimagining professional basketball from the ground up.
Two Mavericks, One Mission
Let’s be honest: most bourbon brands play it safe, and most sports leagues follow a well-worn playbook. But Maker’s Mark built its reputation by literally burning a 170-year-old family recipe in 1953 to create something better.
Unrivaled?
They launched a 3-on-3 compressed full-court league that gives players equity ownership and pays them what they’re actually worth.
See the connection?
“What Maker’s Mark has done throughout its renowned history is exactly what Unrivaled aims to do…”
Napheesa Collier
Unrivaled Co-Founder
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.”
The partnership kicks off with Unrivaled’s second season on January 5, 2026, in Miami, featuring games at Sephora Arena and the league’s first-ever tour stop at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena. For bourbon lovers and basketball fans from Manhattan to Miami Beach, this means specialty cocktails inspired by the league, VIP experiences in Maker’s Mark Loge Boxes, and pre-game Fan Fest activations that bring the signature red-wax aesthetic to courtside.
When Bourbon Meets the Hardwood
“Maker’s Mark founders – my grandparents – broke with tradition
to reimagine what bourbon could be
a perfectly unreasonable spirit that endures today
Rob Samuels
eighth generation whisky maker
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 prioritize passion and purpose on and off court.”
Here’s what makes this partnership genuinely fun:
Maker’s Mark understands that the best experiences happen when quality meets personality. Their soft red winter wheat gives their bourbon that signature sweetness and creamy finish, flavors that have made it a staple in craft cocktail bars from San Francisco to Charleston. Now they’re bringing that same attention to detail to the Unrivaled fan experience, creating signature cocktails that’ll be available at select hospitality spaces throughout the season.
Think about it: after watching some of the world’s best basketball players battle it out in a fast-paced 3-on-3 format, you can celebrate (or commiserate) with a perfectly balanced Old Fashioned made with Maker’s Mark 46 or their award-winning Cask Strength.
According to The Whiskey Wash, Maker’s Mark has been elevating the American whiskey category with super-premium expressions that appeal to both bourbon purists and adventurous cocktail enthusiasts.
The Experience Beyond the Game
“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.”
The activation goes beyond just arena signage. Maker’s Mark will run 30-second spots on TNT and truTV throughout the regular season and playoffs, showcasing their new “Perfectly Unreasonable” global campaign. They’ll also produce custom content for Bleacher Report and offer exclusive benefits to their communities of brand ambassadors and fans. For those following along at home—or planning a watch party in your Brooklyn loft or Austin bungalow—nearby bar activations and signature cocktail recipes will be available at makersmark.com/unrivaled-announcement.
What’s particularly savvy about this Maker’s Mark and Unrivaled partnership is the shared values beneath the surface. Both brands earned their credibility the hard way: Maker’s Mark through B Corp and Regenified certifications driven by regenerative farming at Star Hill Farm; Unrivaled by launching with eight clubs featuring the current top women’s basketball stars and actually delivering on their promises during a breakthrough inaugural season. [Insert Internal Link: Best Bourbon Cocktails for Game Day]
The flavor profile extends beyond bourbon, too. With two new clubs joining the 2026 season, a redesigned arena with expanded fan sections, and a fourth night of national broadcast games, Unrivaled is serving up exactly what fans have been craving: more access, more talent, and more respect for women’s professional sports.
FAQ: Maker’s Mark and Unrivaled partnership
Q: Where can I experience the Maker’s Mark and Unrivaled partnership in person?
A: Maker’s Mark will have activations at Sephora Arena in Miami and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia during the 2026 season, including VIP Loge Boxes, pre-game Fan Fest experiences, and specialty cocktails at select hospitality spaces.
Q: What makes this partnership significant for women’s basketball?
A: This is Maker’s Mark’s first-ever sports league sponsorship, signaling major mainstream brand investment in a player-owned women’s league. It demonstrates that premium brands recognize Unrivaled’s value and audience reach.
Q: Can I find Maker’s Mark cocktail recipes inspired by Unrivaled?
A: Yes! Visit makersmark.com/unrivaled-announcement or follow @makersmark and @unrivaledbasketball on Instagram for signature cocktail recipes, nearby bar activations, and exclusive content.
The Unreasonable Future Looks Bright
When two boundary-pushers join forces, everyone wins—especially the fans who get to witness history in the making while sipping something exceptional. Whether you’re courtside in Miami or hosting friends for the broadcast, the Maker’s Mark and Unrivaled partnership proves that supporting women’s sports and savoring world-class bourbon aren’t mutually exclusive. They’re perfectly complementary.
Ready to experience the action? Grab tickets for Unrivaled’s 2026 season at unrivaled.basketball, and pick up a bottle of Maker’s Mark to toast the occasion. After all, unreasonable ambition deserves equally unreasonable celebration.
publish those signature cocktail recipes soon. My home bar needs them.
Curious what cocktails theyll create for the arena.
bourbon that’s actually good = my kind of Monday night plans
Intriguing diversification for Maker’s. First sports sponsorship shows strategic thinking.