At the intersection of sports innovation and business development is creating a pathway for University of Bridgeport (UB) students to explore their passions and sharpen their professional skills. NBALAB is the NBA’s research and development incubator, designed to foster innovation in areas such as product design, technology, and fan engagement. The NBALAB and UB partnership offers students a unique opportunity to participate in internships and projects that blend their academic learning with dynamic real-world experience.
Through this collaboration, UB students studying business, marketing, and other related fields can gain hands-on experience working alongside industry professionals. These opportunities enable students to learn how to bring creative concepts to life. The chance to work in a cutting-edge environment like NBALAB provides students with a distinct advantage, helping them build resumes and portfolios that stand out in today’s competitive job market.
This partnership gives students the unparalleled opportunity to network and forge meaningful connections with both global and local industry leaders before they graduate and enter the workforce.
UB students aim high with NBALAB
NBALAB is an innovation hub dedicated to fostering creative ideas, products, and partnerships within the sports industry. It collaborates with emerging brands, artists, and designers to create unique and marketable products and content for fans worldwide. Through the partnership with UB, NBALAB works to advance the impact of sports culture while providing valuable real-world experiences for students and entrepreneurs alike.
This unique alliance places students at the epicenter of sports industry innovation , where they work directly with professionals to bring fresh ideas to life. As Eric Perugini, Chief Commercial Officer of NBALAB describes, “Our relationship with University of Bridgeport is truly a microcosm for what [we’re] all about: working with smaller groups on a more individual basis to help grow. We view them as a valuable resource that can support us as our business evolves.”
NBALAB’s commitment to collaboration means UB students aren’t just interns — they’re vital contributors. They get to delve into projects that require creative problem-solving and innovative thinking. Whether they’re refining marketing campaigns or exploring tech-driven solutions to engage NBA fans, students gain practical experience that’s difficult to find elsewhere. For Jai Sai Likith Kancharla, an international UB student, this experience has been transformative: “This opportunity makes me feel proud and accomplished. As an international student, I’ve never been exposed this much before, and working with NBALAB is a great opportunity.”
University of Bridgeport students working with NBALAB are implementing digital strategies to boost the organization’s social media engagement and sales. Using data provided by NBALAB, students cleaned, analyzed, and visualized insights to optimize product sales and track performance. The students are able to apply their knowledge to focusing on strategies that will enhance NBALAB’s social media following, developing tactics for organic growth and higher engagement.
Take the next step in your career by exploring hands-on, real-world learning opportunities at the University of Bridgeport — where partnerships like NBALAB empower students to turn their passions into professions. Apply today!
Inside the partnership
The impact of UB’s partnership with NBALAB extends beyond typical internships, as students are encouraged to play a significant role in decision-making processes. Eric highlights this unique approach, explaining, “I want our interns to have a seat at the table and for their voices to be heard. That’s the greatest gift we can offer — empowering them to manage and run businesses within a business, not just giving them tasks but enabling them to contribute strategically.” By treating students as valued team members, NBALAB provides an environment where students not only build resumes but also develop the confidence to become leaders in the industry.
Dr. Tim Raynor, executive director and associate professor within UB’s Ernest C. Trefz School of Business, is another key figure in the NBALAB/UB collaboration. He emphasizes the importance of bridging academia and industry for long-term career readiness . “There’s nothing more real than taking a student out of the academic setting and partnering them with a business that’s trying to grow. It’s critically important to focus on experiences that embed our students in the community,” says Raynor. Through this partnership, UB students are empowered with the skills and connections that prepare them to transition smoothly from college to career.
For UB students, this collaboration with NBALAB is more than just an internship. It’s a pathway to a future filled with possibility, where academic learning meets real-world application and ambition turns into accomplishment.
Ready to kickstart your career and make your mark in the world of sports, business, or innovation? At University of Bridgeport, partnerships like NBALAB offer students unique, real-world experiences that take learning beyond the classroom. Whether your passion is in marketing, design, business, or technology, UB provides the pathway to put your skills to the test, build your network, and stand out in today’s job market.