I have greatly admired the creative work coming out of the NBA. Together with Goodby Silverstein & Partners, the league has done some of the most impressive ad efforts I can recall. I still find the NBA’s “Where Amazing Happens” spots that featured such tracks as Radiohead’s “House of Cards” or Carly Comando’s “Everyday” to be some of the finest work I’ve ever seen, syncing up perfectly with the drama of the sport. But this year’s “Talking Basketball” effort has to be one of the most bizarre and bewildering executions I’ve ever seen. When I see the spots, I hit mute or turn the channel, hardly the reaction I expect given the previous work of the NBA and Goodby.
• Stories I liked: I love the Wizards going retro with their logo and uniforms. I appreciate the return-to-old-school trend in the NBA. No one can tell me the vintage look of the Sixers, Pistons and now Wizards isn’t a significant improvement over their previous efforts to modernize. … The Nashville Predators making it deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs. This team has always had a tentative spot in the NHL landscape, and may still. But Mayor Karl Dean alluded to the support the team has received, telling The Tennessean, “They’ve got a fan base here now.” The Preds have a real opportunity to build their business off this run.
Abraham D. Madkour can be reached at amadkour@sportsbusinessjournal.com.
