SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
Streaming sports video service DAZN launched its biggest marketing campaign thus far, spotlighting the Canelo Alvarez/Daniel Jacobs boxing match set for May 4 in Las Vegas. To promote the card, the platform tapped the talents of comedian and boxing fan Tracy Morgan to serve as the face of the new campaign with the first spot running last night at WrestleMania. The full campaign features a 30-second, 15-second and six-second video spots that will run on linear and digital outlets.
The NY Jets revealed their rebrand on Thursday night, replacing the traditional hunter green and white combo from the past20 years, with “Gotham Green” and “Spotlight White,” in addition to a Stealth Black” alternate uniform. In addition, the team revealed a tweaked logo on the team’s all-green helmets. “We wanted to create something that we think today’s fans and traditional fans will like, and something that the players will like,” team president Neil Glat told the AP. “And we also kind of were looking for that gritty, resilient New York City-area look. So, you’re trying to accomplish a lot of different things.”
DIGITAL, DATA & TECH
Speaking of WWE, the company locked in a partnership with gaming platform Roblox for WrestleMania, allowing players to pick up skins for various WWE Superstars, including: Becky Lynch, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Xavier Woods. In addition, users can limited-time, exclusive virtual items for their avatar, including a WWE championship title, hat, and backpack. “We are always looking for fun, imaginative ways to engage our fans across a variety of platforms, and we are excited to partner with Roblox as we head into WrestleMania,” said Jayar Donlan, Executive Vice President, WWE Advanced Media. “Roblox is also a unique way to immerse a new generation of fans into WWE as they can create, share, and bring Superstar avatars and experiences to life.”
ESPORTS
With Season 7 of the Rocket League World Championship underway, publisher Psyonix announced that this year’s title will be decided at the Prudential Center in Newark from June 21-23. Plus, for the first time in RLCS World Championship history, play will feature a new Group Stage to Single-Elimination format.
Riot Games continues to add advertisers to the LEC, announcing deals for the LEC Spring Finals with both Sanquin and GoDaddy. The pair of brands now join last week’s announcement of Beko as a partner for the league with Sanquin, a Dutch non-profit blood institute, returning as an LEC partner for the Spring Finals following the success of their 2018 Summer Finals partnership which saw over 5,000 people register to donate blood. Sanquin will be integrated into the broadcast every time ‘First Blood’ is secured during the Spring Finals, and every attendee at the Spring Finals who signs up to donate blood and has it tested will unlock Vladimir in-game as a gift. Meanwhile, new LEC sponsors GoDaddy will see more information about their activation released at a later date.
In other sponsorship news, Chase locked in a three-year partnership with the Golden State Warriors‘ NBA 2K League team, Warriors Gaming Squad. The partnership sees the Warriors’ Gaming Squad’s home court sport Chase branding as well as digital signage around the arena. In addition, the partnership will also see collaborative video content produced throughout the second season while Chase customers will have the opportunity to visit where the home of the Warriors Gaming Squad.
Luminosity Gaming named Mark Thomas as Vice President, Head of Marketing for the team. Thomas joins the organization following a run on CBC's Sports Partnerships team and will overseeefforts to grow the Luminosity brand globally, while building out its brand partnerships team.
INDUSTRY/ROSTER MOVES
THE PLAYERS Championship announced Marsha Oliver, formerly Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s Director of Public Affairs, as the event’s new Senior Director of Community Outreach.
THE MAIN EVENT
Virginia/Texas Tech on CBS at 9p.