September 8th, 2023
The BNZ Breakers are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Everest Infrastructure Partners, a global leader in telecommunication infrastructure.
Everest, with a robust portfolio boasting over one billion dollars in assets across 2,500 tower sites spanning four countries, stands as one of the world’s largest and most rapidly expanding cell tower operators. During the Breakers’ upcoming NBL24 campaign, Everest will proudly display their logo on the back of the Breakers’ jerseys, solidifying their presence as a key sponsor for the new season.
Marcus Gyles, New Zealand Director at Everest, is enthusiastic about the new partnership. “With offices in the USA, Portugal, and Australia, we are excited to expand our footprint into New Zealand through our partnership with the Breakers,” he says. “They embody our core values of honesty, transparency, and trust.”
In New Zealand, Everest works with property owners to acquire cell tower ground leases, rooftop antenna leases, wireless cell towers, and other telecommunication infrastructure. Through this partnership with property owners, Everest provides critical telecommunication infrastructure solutions to leading wireless companies including, 2Degrees, Spark, One New Zealand, Connexa, and Aotearoa Tower Group.
“New Zealand’s telecommunication landscape is rapidly evolving with the deployment of next generation networks including 5G broadband,” says Will Heapy, Everest’s Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive. “This sponsorship with the Breakers illustrates Everest’s long term commitment to invest in the critical infrastructure that underpins wireless networks in New Zealand.”
The BNZ Breakers are delighted Everest’s logo will adorn the back of all their home and away jerseys for the upcoming season which begins at the end of the month.
“This new partnership demonstrates again the strong international presence the BNZ Breakers continue to have on and off the basketball court,” says BNZ Breakers’ Chief Executive Lisa Edser. “The club is enjoying a strong period of growth after finishing second in the league last season and we are entering an exciting period for the club again with NBA games against the Portland Trailblazers and Utah Jazz in the United States next month. “Our partnership with Everest provides us with greater international awareness while also bringing us closer to 2degrees who have been a valued supporter of the club for many years.”
The BNZ Breakers are one of New Zealand’s most successful sporting franchises and have won four championships in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). Their last appearance in the Championship Series was in March this year, where they went to five games against the defending champion Sydney Kings. That series is widely regarded by Australian basketball critics as the greatest series ever played in the 44 year history of the competition, with it played in front of record crowds and TV audiences.
The BNZ Breakers’ first game in the new NBL season will be against the Cairns Taipans on September 30 at Spark Arena in Auckland. The game will double as a celebration of captain Tom Abercrombie’s career as he will play his 400th game for the club. Abercrombie is the first Breakers’ player to reach that milestone and has been part of all four championship winning teams.