Knicks Sign Contract With Taiwan Computer Maker Acer Due to Lin

The New York Knicks signed a marketing partnership with Acer (2353) Inc., the fourth-largest computer maker, marking the National Basketball Association team’s second affiliation with a Taiwan-based company since Jeremy Lin joined the starting lineup last month.

The Harvard University-educated Lin, who is of Taiwanese descent, has helped to fuel gains in merchandise sales and television ratings since starting his first game on Feb. 6. His jersey is the No. 1 seller in the NBA since Feb. 4, the league said, declining to give specifics.

The Knicks signed a marketing sponsorship with Maxxis International, a tire company, last month.

The agreement with Acer expires after the season. As part of the contract, Acer will place advertisements near the Knicks’ bench.

Lin, 23, wasn’t drafted and was cut by two teams before joining the Knicks, who won six consecutive games after he became a starter.

New York has now lost its last six games, falling into a tie with Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks host the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.

To contact the reporter on this story: Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net

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Taiwan Computer Maker Acer

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

The Acer Inc.'s Aspire S3 laptop computer is arranged for a photograph in San Francisco.

The Acer Inc.'s Aspire S3 laptop computer is arranged for a photograph in San Francisco. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg