The Perth Wildcats and Rio Tinto signed a three-year extension that elevates Rio Tinto to Principal Partner with its logo on the Wildcats' playing jersey and continues funding for grassroots programs and community initiatives across Western Australia. The deal funds expansion of the Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy into the Pilbara from 2027, supports regional engagement like clinics and pre-season games, and maintains Rio Tinto’s role as presenting partner of the Wildcats Mental Health Game.
Home News Releases Perth Wildcats and Rio Tinto strengthen partnership with three-year extension Perth Wildcats and Rio Tinto strengthen partnership with three-year extension 15 September 2026 share PERTH, Australia -- The Perth Wildcats and Rio Tinto have strengthened their partnership, signing a new three-year agreement that will build on their shared commitment to creating opportunities for young people and communities across Western Australia. As part of the renewed agreement, Rio Tinto will become Principal Partner of the Perth Wildcats, with the Rio Tinto logo featuring on the front of the Wildcats playing jersey. The extension marks the next chapter of a partnership that has continued to grow both on and off the court. The partnership is focused on supporting grassroots basketball, creating development opportunities for young people and using the power of sport to connect communities across metropolitan and regional Western Australia. A key part of the partnership is the continued growth of the Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy, which will expand into the Pilbara from 2027, creating greater development opportunities for regional athletes and coaches. Since the partnership began, more than 2,000 children across the Pilbara have participated in Wildcats basketball clinics. The recent Perth Wildcats pre-season game in Karratha provided another opportunity to bring elite basketball closer to regional fans and communities. Rio Tinto will also continue as presenting partner of the Perth Wildcats Mental Health Game, supporting Lifeline WA and using the reach of professional sport to encourage important conversations around mental health and wellbeing. Perth Wildcats Owner Mark Arena said the three-year extension would allow the partnership to build on the momentum created over the past three seasons. “Rio Tinto shares our belief in the ability of basketball to connect and inspire communities, and we are incredibly proud to extend our partnership for another three years. “Together, we have been able to take basketball into communities across Western Australia, create new pathways for young players and coaches, and deliver initiatives that have an impact well beyond game day. “Rio Tinto stepping up as Principal Partner is a tremendous show of confidence in what we are building together, and we are excited about how much more we can achieve over the next three years.” Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Matthew Holcz said the renewed partnership reflected a shared commitment to creating opportunities for communities across Western Australia. “Our partnership with the Perth Wildcats is about more than sponsorship – it's about creating opportunities for young people, strengthening communities and using sport to bring people together. “Over the past three years, we have worked together to make a difference, particularly in regional Western Australia and through the Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy. “We are excited to build on that work, expand the Academy into the Pilbara and help nurture the next generation of Western Australian basketballers.” To mark the extension, Rio Tinto and the Perth Wildcats will launch “60 Years, 300 Reasons to Celebrate”, recognising Rio Tinto’s 60-year history in Western Australia and giving Wildcats fans the opportunity to join the celebrations. A total of 300 Wildcats items will be given away, including NBL27 jerseys, game tickets and hats as part of community pop ups today across Perth, taking the partnership directly to fans and the wider community. Media contacts Perth Wildcats: Daniel Gawned danielg@wildcats.com.au 0411 383 832 Rio Tinto: Bruce Tobin Bruce.tobin@riotinto.com 0419 103 454 Category: Pilbara
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.riotinto.com
Perth Wildcats, Rio Tinto, Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Lifeline WA, Perth Wildcats Academy, NBL27, Perth Wildcats Mental Health Game, Daniel Gawned, Bruce Tobin, Pilbara, Karratha
Perth Wildcats: Perth Wildcats is a professional basketball club that has extended its partnership with Rio Tinto and will feature the Rio Tinto logo on the front of the Wildcats playing jersey as part of a new three-year Principal Partner agreement.
Rio Tinto: Rio Tinto is a global mining company that has become Principal Partner of the Perth Wildcats under a new three-year agreement and will continue supporting grassroots basketball, mental health initiatives and the Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore: Rio Tinto Iron Ore is the division of Rio Tinto led by Chief Executive Matthew Holcz and is involved in the renewed partnership with the Perth Wildcats to create opportunities for communities in Western Australia.
Lifeline WA: Lifeline WA is a mental health and crisis support organization that will be supported by the Perth Wildcats Mental Health Game through Rio Tinto's continued presenting partnership.
Perth Wildcats Academy: Perth Wildcats Academy is the Wildcats' development program supported by Rio Tinto that provides training and development opportunities for young athletes and coaches and is set to expand into the Pilbara from 2027.
This article is part of Prism's real-time sports business intelligence radar, which tracks sponsorships, partnerships, media rights, stadium deals, and investments across global sports. View the full intelligence profile for each company to access active analysis modules, deal timelines, and connected company networks.