The NBA and Louis Vuitton just announced a multiyear partnership that includes an LV-branded trophy case and a capsule collection designed by Virgil Abloh

In announcing the deal, the NBA deputy commissioner said that many professional athletes are often seen wearing luxury clothes, and they are the ones "setting the trends and setting the culture."
Vuitton will also design the travel case for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, which is given each year in June to the NBA team that wins the finals.
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Luxury just can't get enough of the sports industry.

On Wednesday, Women's Wear Daily reported that the NBA has entered a "multiyear partnership" with Louis Vuitton. In addition to Vuitton designing an exclusive travel case for the Larry O'Brien Trophy ( given each June to the NBA team that wins the finals ), the newly formed collaboration will include a capsule collection designed by Virgil Abloh,the creative director of menswear for the legendary French fashion house.

NBA Louis Vuitton NBA

Mark Tatum, NBA deputy commissioner, called the league's partnership with Vuitton " unique " and said the NBA had never done anything "at this scale" before.

"We have done other collaborations with other fashion houses before, but nothing at this level and at this scale," Tatum said, according to WWD. "We know from social media that our fans follow and are big fans of the Louis Vuitton brand. We know that they're going to be excited about this new partnership and collaboration."

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The NBA x Louis Vuitton announcement follows the reveal of other big-name luxury houses partnering with various sports and sportswear entities, in the hopes of capitalizing on the $55 billion sportswear market, Business Insider previously reported .

In recent months, Puma released a collection with Balmain , Raf Simmons announced the release of a shoe inspired by athleticism , and Balenciaga debuted a martial arts inspired shoe . Dior is teaming up with Nike Jordans , while Vuitton itself previously collaborated with the streetwear and skateboarding brand Supreme.

Even as luxury embraces street and sportswear culture more, many professional athletes have always worn these high-end brands, as Tatum pointed out. In that sense, a partnership between a league like the NBA and a brand such as Louis Vuitton is not all that surprising.

"I think that's why some of these luxury brands are looking to players, influencers, because they are the ones setting the trends and setting the culture, if you will, and these fashion brands are very much a part of that culture," said Tatum. "Our players are often seen in Louis Vuitton merchandise."

Meanwhile, the capsule collection that Abloh is set to design will be inspired by three highlight moments in a basketball player's career: the press conference, the match, and the frequent traveling. WWD reports that the collection, set to launch in October, will include "branded luggage, clothing, and other Vuitton products."

"The NBA participates in that meeting of style, art, fashion, sport and music," said Louis Vuitton chairman and CEO Michael Burke. " Louis Vuitton has long been associated with the world's most coveted trophies , and with this iconic partnership the legacy continues victory does indeed travel in Louis Vuitton."