The NHL’s three California teams have reached deals with solar energy provider Sungevity that aim to build on the league’s overarching efforts in sustainability.
With the deals, the teams — Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose — will provide fans with $500 discount offers on solar energy plans from Sungevity. Sungevity also gains online and in-arena promotional opportunities.
The deals follow the NHL this summer issuing a sustainability report in which the league provided data and details on the energy and environmental issues that are affecting hockey overall. “Major environmental challenges, such as climate change and freshwater scarcity, affect opportunities for hockey players of all ages to learn and play the game outdoors,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in the report.
San Jose COO John Tortora said this type of deal is expected of the Sharks.
“We take our role in the community very seriously, and as a high-profile sports franchise, we have a responsibility to take the lead in implementing and engaging with companies that have sustainability in mind,” he said. “If we can help deliver messages like sustainability, it benefits society, and frankly, our fans expect it of us.”
Aaron Teats, vice president and CMO in Anaheim, said the Ducks are cognizant of their role in the community, as well, and that partnerships like this help broaden that.
“As a pro sports team, we feel we have the power to bring people together towards common causes that can improve our community as a whole,” he said.
Sungevity provides residential solar services to 12 states, including California. While the company has partnered in the past with both nonprofit and for-profit companies, this outreach serves as its first foray into sports, said Renu Mathias, the company’s director of affinity marketing.
She cited the NHL’s commitment to sustainability efforts as being a factor in wanting to do the team deals. “The fact that California is the biggest growth market for solar and that the fans of these teams really care about sustainability efforts as well, it makes even further sense,” she said.
