Sam Richardson and Ike Barinholtz will play NBA hotel employees in a new commercial campaign with the league. It’s set to air during NBA All-Star from February 17 to 19, 2023. Hotels.com is the official travel sponsor of the NBA.
The commercial delightfully showcases a typical experience for players who spend 42 games, or little over half the season, traveling and staying in hotels around the USA. Throughout the season, many of the league’s official lodging partners provide NBA players with enhanced accommodations like larger beds, higher showerheads, and specialized room-service menus.
According to Liz Kennedy, vice president of global brand marketing for Hotels.com and Vrbo at Expedia Group, the best NBA hotel is essentially operated by the NBA’s biggest fans. Hotels.com excels at helping travelers find their perfect fit. Using Sam and Ike, Hotels.com was able to adopt the perspective of the hotel personnel to demonstrate how these establishments ensure that the league’s top talents feel as though they have reached their ideal location while traveling.
Game-obsessed NBA hotel staff
This is the travel company’s first TV ad with the NBA since signing a multi-year partnership agreement back in 2020. It features Barinholtz as the NBA-obsessed receptionist and Richardson as the business-minded manager of a luxury hotel. The two engage in conversation about the hotels’ famous customers, noting star power forward Anthony Davis. All while serving clients and laughter erupts.
Given their genuine NBA enthusiasm, the comedians were an obvious fit for the ad. Richardson, a native of Detroit, has supported the Pistons for many years. He also engaged with Rick Mahorn, one of the team’s icons, on the television program Detroiters. Chicago native Barinholtz has followed the Bulls faithfully since he was a youngster. He has wonderful memories of their championship games in the 90s.
The 30, 15, and 6-second cutdowns of the commercials will air on ESPN, Turner, NBA TV, as well as online across YouTube, social media, and direct publisher channels including Complex, Bleacher Report, and Vice for the rest of the 2023 season.
Research by Hotels.com
According to a recent survey, majority of basketball fans would travel up to 600 miles to see their favorite player or team. 40% of those surveyed said that proximity to the arena is their top consideration when deciding where to stay for a game. But, NBA supporters don’t compromise on fashion. More than 30% of respondents would pay an extra $400 per night to stay at the same hotel as their favorite team or player. The majority prefer to book a 4 or 5-star hotel while traveling.
Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago topped the list of destinations that NBA fans would most like to visit. The Lakers, Bulls, and Warriors are the teams that fans would most like to see on the road. Boston Celtics and Miami Heat both finished in the top five.
