 Black Friday Football (feat. Amazon, NFL)
Amazon and NFL called âBlack Friday Footballâ an Americaâs new culture. While I had never previously watched an entire NFL game, the prospect of this unique amalgamation intrigued me. Seated in front of the TV at 1:20 pm, I took note of all the advertisements until the end of the game at 6:04 pm. Check out the full Ads list of Black Friday Football and some key observations HERE.
The Mercedes Formula 1 team became the first sports partner of the Meta-owned messenger app WhatsApp. Its broadcast feature brings fans closer with behind-the-scenes experiences and in-race updates. Leagues and professional sports teams have been actively using the Instagram channel feature for more direct communication with fans. Integrating a Messenger application in fan communication looks like a more aggressive attempt and will be interesting to watch.
My favorite jersey patch partnership! The Atlanta Hawks partnered with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta for jersey sponsorship. âYâ logo is featured on all Hawks uniforms, G-League Skyhawks uniforms, and the physical uniforms of NBA2K League Hawks Talcon GC players. GM of the Hawks and a few of their players are YMCA alums. This is a value-driven partnership that will empower the impact of youth sports. Also, it is a meaningful investment for future Hawks fans.
 Follow-up (30, Nov. 2023)I questioned whether this partnership would be financially beneficial for the Hawks. And it seemed like a lot of people had the same question. According to Andrew Saltzman, Hawks EVP and CRO, the deal âprovides philanthropic support but definitely comes with cash.â
Las Vegas Grand Prix and local small businesses
The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix might have generated a good amount of economic impact, but maybe only for selected hotels near the venue. Many owners of small businesses near the Strip were disappointed to find out that the Grand Prix didnât help their businesses at all. It even hurt some businesses because of road closures and construction-related traffic. Event organizers should be respectful and responsible for local businesses when hosting a mega event. It may be a once-a-year happening to a group of people, but it could affect someoneâs ordinary life.
 NBA x NHL x MLB, 30-second Responsible Betting Ad
Sports betting is getting big, and ESPN BET (ESPN Sportsbook) recently launched. The NBA, MLB, and NHL released a 30-second ad âNever Know Whatâs Nextâ to educate fans on the importance of responsible betting in sports.
Two years ago, under 50% of fans were in MetLife Stadium building at kickoff. New York Jets leveraged pregame production to encourage fans get in their seats before a game starts. They integrated emerging technologies to create more sophisticated video, audio, fireworks, and live programming. A season and a half later, over 90% of fans were in their seats at game kickoff. I believe that the arena experience should be better than at home experience to make the sports teams more sustainable. And I appreciate Jetsâ holistic approach to increase value of physical attendance.
