SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
Taco Bell's "Steal a Game, Steal a Taco" promotion is officially back for the NBA Finals as fans can snag a free Doritos Locos Taco throughout the country once a road team "steals" a win from the home team during the Finals. "The NBA Finals and Taco Bell are the perfect matchup, and we can't wait to once again raise the stakes of an already fierce competition by putting free Doritos® Locos Tacos for America on the line," said Marisa Thalberg, Global Chief Brand Officer, Taco Bell Corp. "This is the third time we've partnered with the NBA, and the power of our combined fanbase creates an exciting cultural moment around the Finals. We know one thing is for certain, everyone will be rooting for tacos." The 2018 NBA Finals start May 31 on ABC.
Meanwhile, the NBA released the spot Finally Mine as the postseason prepares for the Finals. The spot “ shows the emotions that players go through when they win an NBA championship” and features current and former NBA stars like Steph Curry, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Dirk Nowitzki and more. The spot is set to the retro-soul beat of “Finally Mine,” sung by music artist Juliet Roberts.
The WNBA launched “Take a Seat, Take a Stand,” its new women and girls empowerment program for the 2018 season. When regular-season games tip off today, fans who take a seat at a WNBA game will also have the chance to support several organizations that are changing the game for women and girls For each ticket purchased, the WNBA will donate $5 to one of six organizations of the fans’ choosing in addition to a ticket to send a young woman or girl to a game to inspire her by the strength, talent and leadership of the women of the WNBA. Partner organizations include: Bright Pink, GLSEN, It’s On US, MENTOR, Planned Parenthood and The United State of Women.
Hyundai Motor America, an official sponsor of the NFL, is offering the Hyundai Youth Football Camp for the third year in a row to children ages 7-13 to have the chance to take the field and learn from their favorite teams and players. Sessions will be held in Pittsburgh, South Florida, Minnesota, Arizona, Los Angeles, the New York City area and Houston.
DIGITAL & STREAMING
NextVR introduced the 2017-2018 season NBA MVP highlight reel live in the NextVR app, taking fans courtside. According to the company, fans will be able to immerse themselves in a compilation of the most epic shots, dunks and assists of this season from MVP contenders James Harden, Lebron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. NextVR will also roll out rookie of the year highlights, showcasing the rising talent of Donovon Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Ben Simmons.
ESPN hired reporter Lindsey Thiry to cover the Los Angeles Rams, while former NFL Nation team reporter Alden Gonzalez shifts into a new multimedia reporter role. Thiry joins ESPN from the Los Angeles Times where she worked as a multimedia sports reporter the past four years, covering the Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC and UCLA.
ESPORTS
Razer inked an official sponsorship of Overwatch League squad Los Angeles Valiant as part of a wider deal with the Immortals global esports organization. The two-year deal will feature Razer as the exclusive peripherals partner for Immortals and LA Valiant where teams will sport Razer’s esports-grade PC peripherals, including equipment comprising of mice, keyboards, headsets and surfaces, and the newly formed Immortals Mobile Division will be using the Razer Phone. “Team Razer is committed to fostering a roster of passionate and truly ambitious esports players,” says Razer Co-Founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan. “Immortals and LA Valiant exude a caliber of excellence that makes our partnership with them a natural fit, and one that we are very excited to support.”
Gfinity appointed Garry Cook as Executive Chairman of the company. Cook replaces Tony Collyer, who will step down from the Board after four years. Cook previously served as President and General Manager for Nike’s Jordan Brand, was the CEO of the Manchester City Football Club, and most recently held the Chief Global Brand Officer position for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Turner and IMG’s ELEAGUE will see the conclusion to its first ever reality television series –ELEAGUE The Challenger: Street Fighter V tonight as the final two housemates compete for one spot in the upcoming ELEAGUE Street Fighter V Invitational and a shot at its $250,000 prize pool. The one-hour finale will premiere at 11p on TBS.
ROSTER MOVES
Public relations executive Avis Roper has been named Senior Director, Communications for FOX Sports. Roper will support communications strategy and day-to-day publicity for FOX Sports with a spotlight on NFL and MLB coverage. For the past seven years, he served as the senior director of communications for the Indianapolis Colts.
THE MAIN EVENT
Jets/Golden Knights tonight at 8p on NBCSN.
