Nike and the NBA have expanded their marketing agreement to promote basketball participation around the world as Sky Sports signs a new deal with the NBA to cover games and programming for the next three seasons.

The deal sees Nike bringing its Converse brand into the tie-up for the first time. As part of the new deal, Nike will join the NBA's Basketball Without Border program, a youth camp that promotes basketball and healthy living in Europe and the US. Nike will explore new markets to take the camp into and help expand the program with the league.

The deal also sees Nike's Converse brand, famous for its All-Star sneakers, sit alongside Nike's Jordan brand.

George Ravelling, a spokesman at Nike, said: "Nike's ability to reach basketball players around the world is greatly enhanced by the programmes and credibility provided by current relationship with the NBA."