North America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) has launched a face-mask collection online, supporting communities impacted by Covid-19.

The NBA face masks, produced by NBA licensee Foco and e-commerce partner Fanatics, will feature designs of all 30 NBA teams.

According to the company, proceeds from the sales of the masks will be contributed to Direct Relief, a humanitarian organisation committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies.

The NBA face mask line will be introduced at the league’s e-commerce sites in Europe and 10 countries across Asia-Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Vietnam.

Face masks are no longer just a medical product. In some countries, wearing a mask was a cultural norm long before the Covid-19 pandemic arrived. Face masks have gone mainstream in the fashion industry as many labels are introducing their own face mask line, including New Balance and Pendleton.