By Godson Umejiego, Correspondent USA
Hotels.com®, an Expedia Group company, and the National Basketball Association (NBA), Monday announced a multiyear global partnership that makes Hotels.com the Official Travel Partner of the NBA.
Tipping off ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season, the agreement will allow Hotels.com to engage with NBA fans and travelers alike through integrated marketing efforts, showing why using Hotels.com is the most rewarding way to book accommodations. As part of the deal, Hotels.com will have an in-game presence with brand integration on the top of the backboard for nationally-televised games throughout the season across ABC, ESPN and TNT, a first-of-its-kind position for an NBA global partner, placing Hotels.com in the most exciting plays of the year.
“We are proud to begin our official partnership with one of the world’s most influential and culturally relevant sports leagues,” said head of global brand creative, sponsorships and partnerships for Hotels.com, Mike Wolfe. “We’re looking forward to bringing our combined innovation and creativity together to further connect with NBA fans around the world.”
“We are excited to welcome Hotels.com, and Expedia Group, to our family of global partners,” said NBA Senior Vice President, Media and Business Development, Dan Rossomondo. “This partnership marks the league’s first with an online travel site, and we look forward to leveraging Hotels.com’s expertise in travel and hospitality to engage with the NBA’s global fan base in new and unique ways.”
Hotels.com will be revealing its integrated marketing plan throughout the season to engage both basketball fans and travelers. Expect to see more from Hotels.com in 2021 as it celebrates the first year of its official NBA partnership from tip-off through the NBA Finals. Additionally, Expedia Group brands, including Expedia, Vrbo, Travelocity and others, will have the opportunity to participate in the partnership.
The 2020-21 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. E.T. on TNT.
