Heat, Samsung Agree To Sponsorship That Includes Floor Apron

The Heat are the NBA’s third franchise to sign a floor apron advertising deal, per the team’s new sponsorship with Samsung. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but no NBA team is pricing the new apron inventory below $1M, with one big-market team asking $3M for the apron space. Samsung’s deal with the Heat will put the company’s logo on the hardcourt in front of both team benches. The team is looking to place the ads on the floor by its upcoming home game on Dec. 1 against the Bobcats.

“It’s an integrated sponsorship with a good mix of assets,” said Heat CRO John Vidalin. “It has a combination of assets including the apron, some LED signage, promotions, playoff options, and social media activations.” The NBA earlier this year allowed teams to sell the highly visible apron inventory and the Heat now join the Pacers and Raptors as having signed apron deals. Samsung is also one of the NBA's newest league partners, last month signing a reported three-year, $100M deal.