Kia Signs On As First Presenting Sponsor Of NBA Tip Off Week

The NBA has signed a partnership for Kia Motors to become the "first presenting sponsor of the NBA's Tip Off Week, a deal that includes the car company activating around a daylong fan fest event" today in Union Square in Manhattan, according to John Lombardo of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Today's event, coinciding with the start of the '08-09 NBA season tonight, will include a "full basketball court, appearances by NBA legends" and current members of the Knicks, as well as "other entertainment." Kia this week will activate its sponsorship with "NBA-branded Kia Borregos making appearances in each of the NBA's 30 markets combined with merchandise giveaways." Kia also will promote Tip Off Week throughout all of its 640 dealerships nationwide. Kia signed a sponsorship deal with the NBA in January and is "entering its first full season with the league." Automaker Toyota also has a "leaguewide marketing partnership with the NBA." In addition, NBA sponsor Budweiser "will roll out a commemorative green aluminum bottle to mark" the Celtics' '07-08 NBA championship, which will be sold in various stores throughout New England (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/27 issue). Former NBAers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Scottie Pippin appeared on ABC’s “GMA" this morning and promoted Kia's partnership (“GMA,” ABC, 10/28).

GREEN WITH ENVY: adidas yesterday unveiled Celtics F Kevin Garnett's Team Signature Commander 2008 Champions shoe, which he will wear tonight during the Cavaliers-Celtics season-opener. The shoe features a silhouette of Garnett on the side, and the shoe's insole includes the dates and scores of all six '08 NBA Finals games, as well as the NBA champion logo. Only 17 pairs of the TS Commanders were made, and fans cans bid on autographed pairs at www.celtics.com/shop beginning at 8:00pm ET tonight to raise money for the team's Shamrock Foundation (adidas). Additionally, SPORTINGNEWS.com's Rich Lopez reported adidas Saturday will release the Superstar Boston Celtics 17th Championship sneaker, which "takes inspiration" from the Celtics uniform and the NBA championship trophy, for retail of $100 at the NBA Store in N.Y. and at retail outlets in Boston (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 10/27). Meanwhile, the Celtics and the Massachusetts State Lottery again will team up to launch a limited edition lottery ticket celebrating the Celtics' NBA title. The $5 instant game, which debuted today, offers nearly $40M in prizes, various Celtics merchandise and the opportunity to win $1M on the parquet floor during a Celtics game (Celtics).

HEAT CHECK: Converse today will launch a national TV ad called "Same Day, Same Story" as part of a marketing campaign coinciding with the launch of Heat G Dwyane Wade's new Wade 4 shoe (Converse). Converse noted that the spot will run on various channels, including ESPN and BET (BOSTON.com, 10/27). The tagline for the ad is "Wade's belief is stronger than your doubt," and the shoe is "all about Wade stepping up his game in the fourth quarter" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 10/27).

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