Gila River Resorts & Casinos (GRRC) has signed up Jae Crowder, a starter for National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise the Phoenix Suns as a brand ambassador.
Crowder, the first professional athlete to enter into an endorsement deal with GRRC, will work with the gaming enterprise on a range of marketing and promotional projects.
The first of these will include Crowder hosting a Summer Oasis Pool Party at Gila River Resorts & Casinos' Wild Horse Pass facility in Chandler, Arizona.
Owned and operated by the Gila River Indian Community, GRRC operates the Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva casinos, while a fourth venue, Santan Mountain, is due to open later this year.
“I have a vision of growing with Gila River as we have a lot of things in common,” Crowder said. “Being an athlete at the highest level with one of the best teams in the NBA, it is important to grow my local relationships with people whom I am comfortable with and believe in.”
GRRC president and chief marketing officer Dominic Orozco added: “Jae Crowder is a bossman, and we are honoured to have him as our first-ever brand icon.
“Gila River is celebrating its new resorts designation in a big way with Jae. His talent, drive and vision with his business manager, Josh Mason, is unmatched. We are excited to welcome Jae as our new teammate to the Gila River family.”