I don’t know about the rest of you, but I get excited when I hear fight advertisements on the radio or catch them on TV as I flip through the channels. More and more mainstream companies are recognizing the popularity of our favorite sport and the violent but lovable board shorts wearing men and ladies that have made it their profession. From sneakers, to car insurance and cell phones-big name products are beginning to capitalize on the marketing power of fighters.
Once upon a time, sponsorship was limited to alcoholic beverage companies, motorcycles and nutrional supplements-all catering to a stereotypical MMA audience. Now that MMA fandom has been proven to cross all the racial, gender and socio-economic demographic lines–the sky is the limit for product marketing opportunities. We could start seeing Roy Nelson repping his favorite restaurant-Burger King or Chael Sonnen in a Preparation H commercial. Anything is possible.
Boost Mobile is just one of the big companies that jumped on the MMA marketing frate trane. Last October they signed a deal to be an official UFC sponsor. They released a funny commercial starring Rampage Jackson back in May of this year and now they are back with a new commercial starring Rich Franklin. Check it out:
