NBA takes a shot at liquor advertising
As per SportBusiness International magazine, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is throwing up a hail mary in an effort to generate more revenue during the economic slowdown by lifting its ban on courtside liquor advertising. A 1991 ban prohibited teams from selling ads to liquor companies that could be visible on camera, and limited these types of sponsorships to off-camera areas such as at concourse spaces and bars.
“We are always trying to find ways to drive more revenue and this falls in line with that,” said senior vice president of team marketing and business operations for the NBA Chris Granger. “The vote was simply to rescind the prohibition of teams selling [hard liquor] courtside ads. We are working on what other opportunities will exist.”
The decision falls in line with Major League Baseball, the National Hickey League and NASCAR all lifting similar bans in their arenas as well.
