NBA’s Indiana Pacers has teamed up with local startup company Spokenote to produce a QR code-style sponsorship on their jersey.
The basketball team became the first professional sports team in the US to use the unique concept on 3 January 2024 in the side’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The QR code is placed on the shoulder of the jersey and allows fans to scan for ‘unique never before seen Pacers’ content.
Todd Taylor, President and Chief Commercial officer for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said: “We are thrilled to have Spokenote as our jersey patch partner, and their innovative product will allow us to engage our fans in many new and different ways.
Taylor added: “We are extremely proud to assist a local startup on its journey to becoming a widely known consumer brand.”
Previously the telecommunications firm Motorola were the patch sponsors of the Pacers, from 2018 through to the 2023 season. Now teamed up with Fishers-based Spokenote, the team are looking to revolutionise sponsorships in professional sports.
Spokenote Founder John Weschler said: “Spokenote is thrilled to join the Pacers, one of basketball’s hottest and most exciting young teams, as their new jersey patch partner, and we look forward to working alongside them to identify new ways to engage fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and beyond.”
The sponsorship deal also includes baseline decals at each end of the basketball court that will display Spokenote’s logo.
Before being used by the Pacers, Spokenote has been used by US customers to ‘enhance’ greetings cards and deliveries. The QR Code allows individuals to connect their digital memories and messages to a physical Spokenote sticker with its own unique digital landing page.
The QR code will now be used to improve fan engagement. At the moment, scanning the code will take fans to a video of players explaining the new sponsorship. In the video, point guard, Tyrese Haliburton tells fans: “No one is going to look as good as the Pacers.”
