A recent promotion by the NBA and NikeID for the upcoming All-Star Game has resulted in a costly mistake. In exchange for voting on what pair of Jayson Tatum’s shoes he would wear during the game, fans were promised 12 months of free access to League Pass Premium, a streaming service that allows fans to watch NBA games commercial-free and gain access to in-arena streams for all 30 NBA teams. However, the promotion was not actively promoted, and only a few fans were aware of the offer.
The mistake was brought to light by Twitter user @notbigracks, who shared the link to the polling on social media. The post quickly gained traction and received over 1 million views. Multiple users confirmed that the promotion code for the free League Pass Premium could be used to replace an existing subscription, resulting in even more fans taking advantage of the offer.
After about three hours, the NBA realized the extent of the mistake and canceled the promotion. The league issued an apology, stating that the promotion was no longer available and expressing regret for any inconvenience caused. However, the damage had already been done. According to @notbigracks, the link had been clicked 57,870 times, potentially costing the NBA $15 million in just three hours.
It is unclear how this oversight occurred, but it serves as a reminder of the potential risks involved in running promotions without proper oversight and control. In this case, the NBA and NikeID may have underestimated the reach and influence of social media, leading to significant financial consequences.
While the mistake may have been costly, it also highlights the power of social media and the impact it can have on promotional campaigns. In just a few hours, a simple tweet had the potential to cost the NBA millions of dollars. This incident serves as a reminder for companies to carefully plan and execute their promotions, ensuring that all potential risks and consequences are considered.
As for the fans who were able to take advantage of the offer, they undoubtedly received a great deal. However, it remains to be seen how the NBA will handle this situation and whether any changes will be made to prevent similar mistakes in the future. In the meantime, fans will have to wait and see what consequences, if any, arise from this costly error.
In the end, it is a lesson learned for the NBA and NikeID, as well as other companies considering similar promotions. The power of social media can be both a blessing and a curse, and it is essential to carefully consider the potential risks and consequences before launching any promotional campaign.
