As brands look to "integrate themselves more deeply" into esports, "Rocket League" is becoming an "increasingly attractive marketing channel thanks to its parallels with traditional sports," according to Alexander Lee of DIGIDAY. The game has expanded its in-game marketing inventory by "using the surfaces of its virtual vehicles as advertisements." Between August 24 and September 5, “Rocket League” players could "download limited-edition Puma-branded decals and wheels matching the real-life kits of football clubs sponsored by the sportswear brand," including Serie A's AC Milan, Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund, Premier League's Manchester City and Ligue 1's Olympique de Marseille. The decals "feature Puma’s logo prominently," and are among the first “Rocket League” in-game decals to "include a consumer goods brand’s logo in this way." Puma and its partners at Rebel Ventures are "confident in the marketing power of 'Rocket League'" because they "see the game as a crossover point between traditional sports and esports fandom." Like more traditional sports games such as “EA FC,” “Rocket League” is "relatively popular among sports fans." Puma is "arguably even more enthusiastic about its integration into 'Rocket League' than it is about any traditional sports game marketing efforts." So far, Puma is "satisfied with the numbers it's been getting from Epic Games" (DIGIDAY, 9/8).
