Sprint Becomes Official Wireless Service Partner for NBA
(SPORTS TECHNOLOGY)
Sprint Nextel (News - Alert), a wireless services provider offering the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users, is now the official wireless service partner of the NBA after a recent multiyear marketing partnership agreement.
Sprint is replacing T-Mobile, who was the league’s sponsor since 2005 until the end of last season.
“NBA fans are leading an increasingly mobile lifestyle, which makes Sprint an ideal partner to help them connect with our game at anytime, from anywhere,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “We look forward to working with Sprint to provide fans unlimited access to the NBA, beginning with the launch of the new, jointly developed Sprint NBA Mobile application.”
Other leagues like Major League Baseball have their own mobile services, such as MLB.com Mobile.
As part of the partnership, Sprint will reach the NBA fan base through marquee league events, television and digital exposure, and customized NBA mobile content for its customers.
Thuuz, a free service quantifying excitement in sports, launched an app for Android and iPhone (News - Alert) devices that monitors every game and alerts enthusiasts to the most exciting ones. The Thuuz mobile app connects users to the games whether they’re in front of a TV, PC, tablet, smartphone or walking down the street and seeking the nearest sports bar.
A key element of the Sprint-NBA partnership is the development of “Sprint NBA Mobile,” a custom app which will be the most comprehensive app in the marketplace for NBA fans
The app will provide direct access to live ESPN (News - Alert) NBA games via Sprint’s TV’s ESPN channel. The app will include access to in-game and post-game video highlights, news, scores, stats, live home and away radio broadcasts, and will be updated with additional elements throughout the season.
“Sprint NBA Mobile” will be available on Android (News - Alert) phones exclusively to Sprint customers by the beginning of the NBA season and will be offered at no additional cost with unlimited usage with an ‘Everything Data Plan.’
Sprint offers its unlimited data plan for $79.99 a month. It is the only national carrier with truly unlimited data plus unlimited text and calling to any mobile for all phones.
Sprint also offers the Sprint NBA newsletter, which provides insider access to NBA content, special discounts and “once-in-a-lifetime fan experiences,”
“Only Sprint delivers the NBA without limits to fans with truly unlimited plans, so fans can watch and listen to live games from their phones or check scores and stats as much as they want without worry,” said Dan Hesse (News - Alert), Sprint CEO.
Fans who are interested in getting even more live NBA action will be able to purchase NBA League Pass Mobile, which will offer up to 40 out-of-market games per week, through the Sprint NBA mobile app store. Sprint customers receive an exclusive 20 percent discount off the subscription fee.
To support the partnership, Sprint will also unveil a marketing campaign with broadcast and digital elements that show how Sprint’s Unlimited data plan provides its customers access to the NBA through the Sprint NBA Mobile app.
Also through this partnership, Boost Mobile became the first marquee partner of the WNBA and the league’s official wireless service partner, and the official wireless service provider for the NBA D-league.
The Boost Mobile brand is featured on the front of the game jerseys throughout the league, marking the first time the WNBA has had a league partner with jersey branding with multiple WNBA teams through the season other than Adidas, the league’s official outfitter.
Rachel Ramsey is a TMCnet editorial assistant, contributing news items and feature articles on a variety of communications and technology topics. Rachel has previously worked in PR and communications at The Wriglesworth Consultancy, an award-winning London PR firm. She has also contributed to the creative services department at CBS 3 and The CW Philly in Philadelphia. To read more of Rachel's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Jennifer Russell
