Indianapolis-based event retail company MainGate this week "announced a unique three-year deal with the NBA" in which the company will "create a special 'Item of the Game' promotion for all 30 teams for all 41 of their home game -- plus any home playoff games," according to Anthony Schoettle of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. The initiative will debut "during the playoffs this year" before it starts "full-force next season." The deal also "includes all of the teams in the WNBA and the NBA D-League." Limited-edition items such as caps, scarves and drinkware "will be available only on the designated game day, either through the team’s arena gift shop or online." MainGate President & CEO Dave Moroknek said the company's first licensing deal with the NBA represents “a huge logistical challenge.” However, he "thinks it will be well worth it" financially. Former NBAer Brian Cardinal "has been hired to head up the program for MainGate." Company officials "will sit down with officials from each NBA team this offseason to plan the schedule for selling the items, which will be marked with the branding 'Item of the Game.'” Moroknek: "We can see what works in one market and try that in other NBA markets" (IBJ.com 4/7).
