The Fever deal expands Salesforce's existing agreement with Pacers Sports & EntertainmentFEVER
The WNBA Indiana Fever have signed a multiyear sponsorship with S.F.-based CRM provider Salesforce, which will make the tech firm the team's "new jersey sponsor," according to Mickey Shuey of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. The Fever jersey will "feature the Salesforce name across the front and the Salesforce logo on the shoulder" beginning with the upcoming season. The partnership is an "expansion of a multi-platform agreement reached last fall with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, which expanded its use of Salesforce to personalize digital interaction with fans." Salesforce will also be the "presenting sponsor of the Fever's Pride Night" on June 9. Salesforce "generally refrains from sponsoring sports teams or venues," and the company "does not have any jersey-related sponsorship deals with the NBA's 30 franchises, or other WNBA teams." However, it does have an agreement with the Kings "focusing on fan engagement and interaction, similar to the PS&E deal." Retailer Finish Line "previously held the marquee sponsorship on the Fever's jerseys," dating back to '13, when the WNBA "first allowed such deals" (IBJ.com, 4/10). In Indianapolis, Alexandria Burris notes Salesforce "previously announced plans to hire more than 800 people in downtown Indianapolis" by '21 and invest $40M over 10 years as part of its expansion (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/11).
