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NFL Ad Sales Still Super

One place the recession has not seemed to hit has been ad sales for the NFL playoffs. Both Fox and CBS report that sales for the Conference Championship games are just about sold out and NBC has reported that 90% of the ads for the Super Bowl have been sold. That would leave about seven 30 second spot, selling for $3million each.

NBC's ad sales so far are consistent with where past Super Bowl's have been at this stage and NBC executives are not too concerned, at least publicly, with selling out. Expect to see quite a few movie ad as studios are traditionally the ones who are hit up for last minute spots, since the studios are not sure too far in advance what spots they might want. Fast food is another category that could be strong, as it is one category of retailing that has held up decently so far during the downturn.

The strength of NFL's ad sales during this economy is just one more notch in its holster of continuing professional sports dominance in North America. It is unlikely that any of the other major sports will be able to hold up quite as well if the recession is long lasting. The combination of fewer games, greater gambling and fantasy playing interest and consistently strong television ratings place the NFL in a category all its own. It's the one property everyone has to have.

Full post as published by Sports Biz on January 13, 2009 (boomark / email).