• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Fully Funded: The NBA All Star Game Sponsors Flood In

By: Trace Welch, @twelch88

The NBA All Star Game has grown as one of the foremost attractive sporting events for sponsors to seek exposure and market growth. The NBA has shown great strides in the last 20 years in terms of popularity, not only in the United States, but on a global level as well. The game is played with such superior athletes twisting and gliding through the air in cohesion, that it is a natural event that all ages and fan levels will be satisfied with viewing. This presents a unique opportunity to organizations that want to convey a clear message to different factions of the population.

There are some unique benefits that not only the NBA all-star game, but the entire all-star weekend provides to potential sponsors. The NBA all-star weekend provides a platform for established organizations to continue to spread their message, but also for promising others that are trying to make a major play in their industry. The NBA all-star weekend has, and will continue to be, a major investment opportunity that could someday rival the importance of the Super Bowl, when it comes to commercial media.

The NBA is the fastest growing league in terms of popularity, and its reaches are starting to extend far beyond the borders of the United States. The NBA is growing significant followings in places such as Asia, Africa, and South America. While the sport of basketball has had a significant following in Europe for the majority of the last and current century, they are moving into markets that they previously did not have staying power in. This only increases the overall popularity of the league, but also increases the financial power of the NBA. With such a significant and diverse following, the NBA is seeing an extensive demand in sponsorship opportunities.

This is no more evident than in the successes of the league to find sponsorships for its most entertaining weekend of the year, NBA all-star weekend. The station that broadcasts all of the entertainment for the weekend, Turner Network Television (TNT) has claimed that this is their best financial year in terms of selling advertising space.[1]According to Jon Diament, executive VP of Turner Sports Ad Sales, sponsors are lining up to reach the young diverse fan base that the NBA has to offer. [2]

An advertising spot in during TNT’s broadcast will represent an extensive cost in the advertising budget of an organization’s. The cost of a 30 second spot will cost the customer a fat $240,000. Although this number is lower than a Super Bowl advertising spot, it still has shown significant growth and projects to only increase in value at a substantial rate due to the high viewership ratings of the all-star weekend.

The Saturday night package, which includes the skills competition, dunk contest, and 3 point contest, averages 6.28 million viewers, while the game itself draws around 7.71 million viewers. These are numbers that, when added together, rival the MLB and NFL all-star ratings, while showing more growth than either of these two contests. These large viewership numbers will only continue to attract more and more sponsors while simultaneously increasing the revenue from ad sales. I will delve into what new strides the NBA have taken in terms of sponsorship and corporate expansion during my next weekly whip around.

[1] https://adage.com/article/media/tnt-sells-nba-star-game/297104/

[2] https://adage.com/article/media/tnt-sells-nba-star-game/297104/

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Emmanuel Acho Set To Land Solo Show on Fox Sports

Rising star Emmanuel Acho is poised to land his own solo show at Fox Sports, say sources. He currently co-hosts FS1’s ‘Speak for Yourself.’
Sponsored

Varsity Partners Steps Up the Sponsorship Game with TBT Teams

TBT has thrived on innovation and forward thinking through its seven year existence —including being the first indoor U.S. sporting event to return to action during the pandemic with a 24 team bubble in Columbus,Ohio —brand sponsorships for teams was the next opportunity for growth.
Sponsored

Executive Roundtable: Putting Employees First

Best Employers in Sports, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Dolphins, remote work, diversity, inclusion, COVID-19, leadership, career development
Sponsored

Putting Fans At The Center of Your Data Strategy Post-COVID

The Portland Trail Blazers are one example of an organization offering a more personalized customer experience thanks to data.

Featured Today

Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
Tom Brady

Tom Brady Calls Chiefs Conspiracy Theories ‘BS’

The Fox analyst defended NFL refs ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
Sponsored

Surprising Ticket Trends for NFL Championship Sunday

The AFC and NFC Championship Games are producing several interesting ticket storylines.
Sponsored

Bucking the Trend: Super Bowl Ticket Prices Cool Off

The Big Game in the Big Easy won’t break ticket-price records.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Sponsored

Records and High Prices for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The league is seeing several record first-round prices, according to TickPick.
Sponsored

Home Games, Bowls, Bad Weather: The 12-Team College Football Playoff Is Here

Home Games, Bowls, Bad Weather: The 12-Team CFB Playoff Is Here
Sponsored

High Prices for High-Drama College Football Conference Championships

CFB’s new-look conferences—and title game matchups—are having a direct effect on demand for tickets.
Lane Kiffin
December 4, 2024

College Football Devolves Into Sniping As Playoff Bracket Nears

From Lane Kiffin to Jim Phillips, no one is holding back.