NBA News and Rumors: Game Association Owners Allow Ads in Jersey Shirts in Upcoming 2017-19 Season
A major change in basketball advertising is expected to sweep across the league as NBA owners gather to vote on a proposed measure that will allow putting ads on players' jersey uniforms for the 2017-18 season.
The proposal is expected to get unanimous approval according to insider sources with a number of teams already testing the waters. If the measure becomes official, potentially lucrative ads will be placed in a 2.5-by-2.5-inch patch on the jersey's left shoulder.
"It's manifest destiny. So let's begin by saying this isn't going to affect the competition. What we're talking about is a patch on the jersey. And one of the reasons we want to do it is that it creates an additional investment in those companies in the league ... the amplification we get from those sponsors, those marketing partners of the league, who want to attach to our teams and our players," remarked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as quoted by ESPN.
He further noted, "But once they put their name on the jerseys, they'll then use their media to promote the NBA extensively. That's probably the greatest reason for us to do it."
The vote is scheduled to take place in Thursday and Friday in New York at the Board of Governors conference. According to Fox Sports, teams shall keep 50% of the jersey ad money while the other 50% shall go to the league's revenue-sharing pool for all franchises.
For quite some time, NBA has been discussing in great length about the lucrative potential of adding ad decals on basketball uniforms. Two years ago, Silver hinted that jersey ads will be an inevitable feature in the league. The nine-year $24 billion media rights deal NBA signed in 2014 contained provisions allowing ad placements in jersey shirts, Sports Illustrated mentioned in a report.
