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[Saba Sports News] Mat Ishbia has triumphed in what some call The Great NBA Mortgage Company War.
The NBA recently announced that United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), led by Phoenix Suns owner Ishbia, will be the inaugural official mortgage partner for both the NBA and WNBA.
This new deal positions UWM, a direct competitor of Rocket Mortgage founded by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, in a significant partnership with the leagues. Ishbia and Gilbert, both alumni of Michigan State, have a storied rivalry that extends beyond business into personal disputes.
With UWM’s new status, their advertisements could even feature during Cavaliers games broadcast nationally, a development that is unlikely to please Gilbert.
The specifics of whether Rocket Mortgage pursued the same partnership remain unclear, but the victory is a definite win for Ishbia over his long-time adversary.