NASCAR is bringing back the Hashtag 500, where fans race on social media for a chance to win memorabilia from the 60th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18. Fans who watch the race and follow @NASCAR on Twitter will have access to custom hashtags that give fans a chance to win race items including a driver firesuit, helmet, steering wheel, set of Goodyear tires and more. NASCAR will share a new hashtag every 20 laps of the race. The first 500 @NASCAR followers that tweet the hashtag and #DAYTONA500 will be entered in a random drawing for each prize. Beginning today through Saturday, Feb. 17, fans can practice for the Hashtag 500 by competing in daily races on Instagram for a chance to win unique, personal items from Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers.
Turner Sports’ NBA on TNT American Express Road Show will originate from LA LIVE in Los Angeles for NBA All-Star 2018, highlighted by live telecasts of TNT’s Inside the NBA and performances by Kendrick Lamar on Feb. 16, and The Killers on Feb. 17. The multi-day event will tip off with a performance by Grammy-nominated Lil Uzi Vert on Feb. 15. The 30,000-square-foot fan fest located just outside STAPLES Center will feature interactive experiences, basketball clinics, a food truck and more over a four-day span with activations that include: Inside the NBA themed activities; the Tissot 24-Second Shot Clock Challenge; an on-court hoops experience; as well as the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey’s “Jack ‘N for Beats,” featuring performances from NBA DJs throughout the weekend.
Gaming gear company HyperX locked in a deal with 76ers center Joel Embiid to serve as brand ambassador for the company’s headset brand. With the signing of Embiid to the HyperX family, HyperX becomes the first brand connected to Team Dignitas, the Philadelphia 76ers and a team player. “Skilled as a pro basketball player and recognized as an esports social media star, HyperX welcomes Joel to the HyperX family as a brand ambassador for gaming,” said Daniel Kelley, HyperX director of corporate marketing. “We’re looking forward to including Joel in our activities in 2018.”
Minor League Baseball is launching “Copa de la Diversion,” a season-long event series specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate with participating teams’ local Hispanic/Latino communities. Participating teams will bolster their marketing and customer service efforts this season to create a “culturally relevant gameday experience through music, concessions and promotions.” The 160-game event series begins on April 8, in Round Rock, Texas and will see a 3-foot tall “Copa de la Diversión” trophy embark on a tour of the participating cities.
Ahead of NBA All-Star, Turner Sports and Intel have announced the launch of the NBA on TNT VR app, taking fans directly inside NBA on TNT’s Studio J, which was re-created in VR and serves as the portal into all the available programming. Fans can watch game highlights and game recaps and gain access to select live NBA on TNT games and full game replays in VR, featuring in-game broadcast stats. NBA All-Star’s signature events will be the first to stream live on the NBA on TNT VR app.
CBS Interactive Advanced Media and Learfield’s SIDEARM Sports announced a new partnership to jointly produce and operate more than 1,100 college and high school athletic websites and stream more than 14,000 live events each year. SIDEARM Sports will manage the website and mobile platforms while providing the hosting and infrastructure for all of the school while CBS Interactive Advanced Media will manage video infrastructure and distribution as well as end-to-end advertising operations for all of the schools.
Professional Bull Riders launched RidePass, a new 24/7 over-the-top digital streaming service offering PBR and western sports content, with over 500 hours on deck annually. The service will significantly expand fan access to more than 150 live PBR and western sports events which include additional coverage of PBR’s premier and non-televised tours, international coverage of the sport’s top tours in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico, and live rodeo events. Additionally, RidePass will debut several original series at its launch, including “Keepin’ It 90,” a RidePass original series featuring two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney and popular western personality Dale Brisby, and “In Color,” a series offering in-depth, intimate conversations with current and past PBR stars. Meanwhile, PBR and National High School Rodeo Association announced a partnership to grow high school rodeo through media, marketing, and programs for youth.
The Mountain West Conference is adding more heat to its Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships this March in Las Vegas, announcing the first-ever MW eSports Showdown. The event will feature esports teams from Boise State and UNLV competing in three highly-popular eSports games: League of Legends, Rocket League and Overwatch on March 8 and 9 in the Strip View Pavilion inside the Thomas and Mack Center, followed by the MW eSports Showdown Main Event on March 10 inside Cox Pavilion. The Show Matches and Main Event will also be broadcast live via the Mountain West eSports Twitch page.
The Pokemon World Championships are set to take place this year on Aug. 24 from Nashville with $500000 on the line. Fans will need to take part in a series of qualifying events to take part, earning Championship Points. This year will see the competitive debut of Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon as the main game. In addition, The Pokemon Company revealed that the North America International Championships will take place on July 6-8 in Columbus at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
JP Sports + Entertainment promoted Dyan Bulyar to Chief of Staff. Bulyar joined JPSE in 2015 and supports the agency’s efforts to provide its unique services to companies that aim to increase their profitability through measurable investments in the sports and entertainment industries.
Alpine Skiing on NBC at 8p.
