In regards to Henry’s blog post on the NBA Play-off Finals, I’d like to talk about how sports integrates with marketing in professional sports leagues. Watching Dallas Mavericks defeat the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heart, 4–2, and win their first NBA title was definitely fun to watch.
Paul Monroe, the Dallas Mavericks VP of Marketing and Communication named talks about how digital and social media marketing strategies are emphasized in this century to engage with their fans. One of the first NBA teams to use blogs, Dallas Mavs adds value of the team from advertising interactively on facebook, twitter, and youtube. Newer strategies like smart-phone apps. adds emotional experience for fans out there showing videos of interviews with Mavs players. It allows fans to understand the internal sides of the team and fans love it. Social parties, before & after game chats, and tickets promotions are different ways for the public to become aware and participate in sports events. Winning the NBA league title definitely adds recognition and sales on its team merchandise, and Dallas fans are more willing to support in the future of the team later on.
Here are some creative promotions that NBA teams have used to attract fans:
College Nights: $5 tickets during all 15 Wednesday night games. The first 100 people that show up will be upgraded to the lower level. Buy a $30 t-shirt and get into all college night games for free.
Ladies Night Out: For $15, get an upper level ticket, a beer, wine or soda, and a $25 gift card to Zen Spa. Includes free parking, as well as $3 u call it drinks after the game.
Meal Deal: For $19, get a $20 upper level ticket, hot dog, chips, and a soda
Meet and Greet: For $40, get a lower level ticket and a post-game meet and greet with a NBA player
