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And though Woj is a serious reporter who presents as staid in most public settings, he broke out of his shell in hilarious fashion for the spots. "I actually really enjoyed shooting with Woj," Bird told Insider. "He was a lot of fun to be on set with." In one of the ads, Bird and Woj peer into the trunk of a car while accompanied by a CarMax agent, who explains that "there's no haggling and no pressure, ever."
The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that its 75th Anniversary Team, comprised of the 75 greatest players in league history, will be unveiled during special editions of TNT’s NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax and ESPN’s NBA Today from Tuesday, Oct. 19 through Thursday, Oct. 21.
Carmax’s partnership with Stephen Curry has seen their ads pop up during NBA broadcasts all season, with the star poking fun at himself a bit as he deals with oblivious Carmax agents who don’t know who he is. His latest spot with the company went viral on Sunday because of the second basketball legend it stars, as Sue Bird makes an appearance, buying a car from a delighted rep who Curry thinks is confusing the number of championships he’s won.
The perfect commercial doesn’t exi...😍 pic.twitter.com/w9AecQ2E66
— Jessica Slate (@thejslate) March 28, 2021
Aside from an abundance of platforms against which to sell, TNT’s NBA business is bolstered by the consistency of its client base. More than 50% of the network’s pro hoops revenue originates with official NBA marketing partners such as Kia Motors, American Express, AT&T, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Michelob Ultra and State Farm. And the league’s newest backer is already pumping marketing dollars into TNT’s coffers: Having been sworn in just yesterday as the official auto retailer of the NBA, CarMax is taking over the sponsorship of the pregame show, NBA Tip-Off.
If fan interest may be tempered by the short layoff, advertisers seem eager enough for the NBA to start anew. Tuesday night’s telecasts are sold out, with more than 40 brands having signed on for the TNT doubleheader. Along with CarMax, look for new Turner Sports/Bleacher Report marketing partner FanDuel to make a splash during in-game coverage and via the B/R app.
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Advertisers are backing away from the Los Angeles Clippers after racist comments attributed to the NBA team's owner. Mercedes-Benz USA said Monday its dealerships are ending their sponsorship of the Clippers in the wake of comments allegedly made by the team's owner, Donald Sterling. Used car dealership chain CarMax, airline Virgin America, and the Chumash Casino Resort are doing the same.
Major companies such as State Farm Insurance, Kia Motors America, Virgin America, Red Bull, CarMax, Amtrak, Yokohama Tires and Corona, have in rapid succession, either suspended or ended their sponsorship deals with the Clippers. Businesses do not want to continue their relationships with the team owned by Sterling, at least until Silver takes decisive action. Many of these companies also have sponsorship deals with individual Clippers players. Most notably is State Farm, which will continue to run advertisements with star point guard Chris Paul. The insurance company will still utilize the brands of Paul and the NBA, and only disassociate itself from the Clippers franchise. This strategy, which also could pertain to Red Bull and Kia, if either company continues to use Clippers forward Blake Griffin for its commercials, may place the league in a delicate position.
The L.A. Clippers have lost their first sponsor in the wake of the Donald Sterling audio -- CarMax has announced it will end its 9-year relationship with the team ... TMZ Sports has learned. A rep for CarMax -- the largest used car retailer -- tells us, "CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers’ owner completely unacceptable." "These views directly conflict with CarMax’s culture of respect for all individuals. While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for 9 years and support the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its sponsorship."
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