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The Indiana Pacers have announced a groundbreaking partnership with Spokenote, marking the first instance of a major U.S. professional sports team featuring a jersey patch with QR code functionality,
As part of this sponsorship deal, Spokenote, an expert in utilizing QR codes for personal and business purposes, will collaborate with the Pacers.
However, details regarding the financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, according to Sportico.
Innovative Sponsorship Deal Enhances Fan Engagement
The QR code patch, debuting online, currently directs fans to a dedicated page on the Pacers' official website. As per Sportcal, this page offers a video explainer, providing fans with insights about the collaboration. The Pacers will proudly showcase the new jerseys during their upcoming game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Indianapolis.
Looking ahead, the Pacers promise to utilize the QR code patch to deliver exclusive content to fans. This content will include engaging material that hasn't been previously shared elsewhere.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Todd Taylor, President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, stated, "We are thrilled to have Spokenote as our jersey patch partner, and their innovative product will allow us to engage our fans in many new and different ways. We are extremely proud to assist a local startup on its journey to becoming a widely known consumer brand."
Motorola's Reign Ends as Pacers Embrace Interactive Sports Advertising
Previously, Motorola held the jersey ad spot for the Pacers from 2018 until last year. Currently, except for the Clippers, Grizzlies, and Trail Blazers, almost all NBA teams also integrate ads on their jerseys.
Notably, implementing QR codes on sports jerseys is not a novel concept. In 2022, the University of Central Florida made headlines by replacing traditional jersey numbers with QR codes during the football team's spring game. Additionally, Forward Madison F.C. embedded QR codes in their kits, enabling supporters to purchase beers for fellow fans in the stands.
Integrating interactive elements has gained popularity as a common strategy in sports advertising. Noteworthy examples include Coinbase's bouncing QR code during the 2022 Super Bowl and various product promotions aired during Amazon's first Black Friday NFL telecast.
Photo: NBA.com
