Sprint To Debut Ad Featuring Kevin Durant On TNT During Sunday's NBA All-Star Game

A 60-second TV spot featuring Thunder F Kevin Durant will make its national debut Sunday during the Sprint Halftime Report of the NBA All-Star Game on TNT. The launch marks Durant’s fourth consecutive year as a spokesperson in Sprint’s national advertising. Durant plays the role of an attorney who defends against the high wireless prices other carriers charge. Sprint will air 30- and 60-second versions of the ad during the coming weeks, complemented by digital and social extensions of the ad's concept. The spot and all extensions were developed by N.Y.-based Translation (Sprint).

BALLERS' BELL: Durant and Rockets G James Harden Friday morning rang the NYSE opening bell alongside BBVA Compass Chair & CEO Manolo Sanchez. Durant and Harden are both BBVA endorsers. NYSE President Tom Farley joined the players in shooting basketballs from the balcony of the Exchange. Durant and Harden appeared on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" and discussed their endorsement strategies. The net's Jim Cramer said to Durant, "You are known as the endorser for Nike and for Sonic. I had a company called Sparkling Ice on 'Mad Money.' You endorse them and you didn’t get any money. You just like the product?" Durant replied, "I love their product. We’ll talk about the other stuff off the camera, but I love the product and I’m glad I’m a part of it." CNBC's Carl Quintanilla later called Harden and Durant "kings of endorsements" and asked them how they decide which brands to align themselves with. Harden: "In the right direction as far as me and marketing myself. ... First of all, I’m honored for BBVA, to have a partnership with them. They’ve done a great job thus far. I’m just on the path up and including them and the way I'm going, it's all positive vibes." Durant said of his decision to sign with Nike over Under Armour, "I just want something that’s authentic to me. I’m all about continuity -- continuing to grow with who I’ve grown with since I was a rookie in the league. Along with BBVA, those guys are such great partners. It seems like me. Everybody in that organization seems like me and it’s great to be a part of” (“Squawk on the Street,” CNBC, 2/13).