Rakuten to Power Tokai University Seagulls Men’s Basketball Team Through New Branding Partnership

Tokyo, July 20, 2021 - Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced a new partnership to support the branding of the Seagulls, the Tokai University men’s basketball team. Under the Rakuten Sports label, which specializes in sports management, content and merchandizing, Rakuten will take an active role in supporting the team and its initiatives going forward.

The Seagulls are no strangers to the winner’s podium at national tournaments and have produced a number of professional players, including the most B.League representatives of any university team in Japan^*1, as well as a number of players on Japan’s national team. At the 72nd All Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship held in 2020, the Seagulls were victorious for the sixth time, and for the first time since 2018. Going forward, the team’s success is expected to continue.

Through Rakuten Sports, Rakuten has already established a global management partnership with Seagulls star Yuki Kawamura and supports the management of Yudai Baba, who played with Melbourne United in the Australian National Basketball League in the 2020-21 season. Rakuten is building a global sports network through diverse initiatives that also include partnerships with the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Golden State Warriors, and three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry. By applying its diverse network and branding expertise gained through these partnerships, Rakuten will lend its full support to the Seagulls with the aim of earning sponsorships, publicizing the achievements of the team and its players, and promoting university sports in general.

As part of its mission to empower people and communities through sport, Rakuten will continue to support promising young athletes and pursue initiatives that contribute to the development and advancement of the world of sports.

*1 As of July 20, 2021

Team name: Seagulls, Tokai University men’s basketball team

Year established: 1960

Affiliations: Kanto Collegiate Basketball Federation, Kanagawa Basketball Association

Key achievements:
Six-time winners of the All Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship (2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2020)
Two-time winners of the Kanto Collegiate Basketball Championship (2014, 2015)
Five-time winners of the Kanto Collegiate Basketball League (2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018)