Sports Sponsorships

BENTONVILLE, Ark.  -- Walmart announced a new relationship with NASCAR to give Walmart customers and race fans new NASCAR branded merchandise and special savings on race tickets available on Walmart.com/NASCAR for select races.  The new retail program, branded "Race Time", is the largest retail promotion in NASCAR's history, according to Walmart, and launches in 1,500 Walmart stores just in time for the start of the season with the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 (FOX, Sunday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. ET).

CINCINNATI — Kroger said it is kicking off a year-long initiative to raise funds for armed forces members in partnership with the USO, the leading organization for morale-boosting programs and services for American troops and their families.

Kroger said the campaign will include in-store and online promotions and a text-to-give campaign that encourages Kroger customers to text "USO" to 27722 during the race to donate $10 to USO programs.

This coming Sunday will be a big weekend for brand impressions as the Target Bullseye takes to the track at the Daytona 500 on the hood of the Earnhardt Ganassi with Felix Sabates number 42 Target Chevrolet driven by Juan Pablo Montoya. The race is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Fox and kicks off a NASCAR season that will last until November. Montoya has been an average performer so far during the championship series known as the Spring Cup, but his chances of success and exposure for Target will be determined as much by luck as driving skill.

From a licensed product sales standpoint it doesn’t get much better than having the Pittsburgh Steelers and Greenbay Packers squaring off this Sunday in Super Bowl XLV. Both teams are storied franchises, and although they are from relatively small markets, enjoy a national following, which means plenty of shoppers have been out looking to acquire fresh gear for the big game and will be looking to do so in the weeks following the game.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy has confirmed appearances by Grammy Nominated, Pop/R&B sensation, Justin Bieber, and rock’s most iconic couple, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, in the retailer’s first ever commercial to air during the Super Bowl. Slated to air in the third quarter of the Feb. 6 game, this Best Buy spot will showcase creativity and humor to millions of football and advertising fans throughout the country, the company reported.

The Auburn Tigers will celebrate their BCS national championship win over the Oregon Ducks by having their trophy displayed at select Walmart stores. The crystal football known as the coaches’ trophy will be on display today at a Walmart store in Montgomery, Ala., then tomorrow at a Walmart in Columbus, Ga., and then finally Sunday at a store in the school’s hometown of Auburn, Ala.

The tour, sponsored by Dr. Pepper, gives fans the opportunity to view the trophy and even have their picture taken with it. 

Where Walmart goes consumer packaged goods companies follow, as is evident by the growing number of companies signing on or deepening their relationship with the FLW Outdoors fishing tournament sponsored by Walmart.