How NBA Teams Market their product
While NBA is one of the most popular sports not only in the United States, but Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa, it is also important to point out that the popularity of each team differs from one state to the other and from one country to another. Chicago Bulls, Lakers, Miami Heat and Spurs are some of the most popular NBA teams in the world. Perhaps Chicago Bulls, Lakers and Miami Heat have been made extremely popular by players such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
In spite of the popularity of their players, NBA teams also apply certain marketing strategies to increase their popularity. Listed below, are some of the marketing strategies used by various NBA teams:
This is a strategy that is applied by millions of teams worldwide. By partnering with popular brands like Nike, Sprite, Nokia and McDonald, NBA teams are able to increase their popularity. Brand alliance is extremely important, especially when it comes to marketing NBA teams abroad in countries like China.
Pre-season games
Before the start of each season, NBA teams travel to different states and countries trying to popularize their names. By holding pre-season games in states and countries where the teams are popular, they are able to attract new fans since everybody wants to be associated with them.
Contracting Players from other Countries
One of the strategies that top NBA teams use to increase their popularity in countries like China is contracting Chinese players. For example, most people are familiar with Ming Yao whose country of origin is China. Most Chinese tune in to watch NBA because of Ming Yao.
Cooperation with different sports channel
As a means of increasing their audience, NBA teams have a knack of cooperating with various sports channels. More than often, the cooperation with sports channels is not to popularize basketball, but the brand names.
Promoting basketball as a game
Basketball is one of the most popular games in colleges, high schools and universities. This is because most students dream of playing professional basketball in NBA. By sponsoring teams at college and high school levels, NBA teams are popularizing their brands.