Slam Dunk Sales With Smart Basketball Promos

Don’t foul up and let customers ride the sidelines this basketball season. With an energetic atmosphere, a strong promotional charge and beverage and menu specials that are all conducive to big earnings, your venue can keep the ball rolling until NBA playoffs and March Madness are underway –– that critical moment when fans start to appear out of the woodwork, dressed to win in their team colors. 

The Tip-Off
    The Detroit Pistons cavalcade is packing sports bars throughout the city on game nights, keeping spots like Hoop City Grille in Southfield, Mich., in search of the competitive edge –– and a bit of charm. Aside from the usual sports bar ornamentation, the Grill has gone the extra mile to convert its facility into a place that is truly unlike any other in the Detroit region.
    Year-round, permanent features like Hoop City Grille's 94-foot bar –– the same length as a full-size basketball court –– and its basketball-shaped booths will render speechless those visitors that arrive with no expectations of unique splendor.
    “We’re going into our third season, so we’re pretty known as the place to watch the game, with surround-sound and TVs everywhere and the video wall –– it's one of the best places to watch a basketball game,” says Hoop City Grille General Manager Artie Brown. “On certain nights, we try to create an after-party type atmosphere with a DJ and dancing, (and) some of our liquor reps will do promotional giveaways and things like that.”
    Brown finds that Pistons fans –– and all sports fan for that matter –– are drawn to Hoop City Grill for its thematic surroundings.
“Especially during the season, you get a good crowd. It’s high energy, you have the volume up on the game –– that’s one reason I think people come out.”

Time-Outs Mean Party Time
    The manager attributes the Grille’s estimated 40 percent revenue increase during the season to “the atmosphere and our clientele just being able to have a good time. We play music throughout time-outs and half-times, so you get the same type of vibe you do at the games. We try to do ticket giveaways to the game, to our comedy show –– we do all sorts of giveaways. We always run drink specials during the game and also menu specials, from discounted wings to $2 drafts and $2 well drinks.”

Team Players
    Hoop City Grille always is certain to get its staff in on the action as well, Brown says. “They get involved, dressing up with the Pistons gear: the wristbands, the jerseys.” Nothing boosts moral when the home team is losing like a good bartender or waitress rooting along with fans whilst decked out in team apparel.
    Aside from those ideas, Brown says, “Good food and good service are the key things. You take it from there with the added stuff from music and atmosphere.”

College Hoops, Alumni Groups
    At the college level, Damon’s Grill is attracting Ohio State students with ease at its Columbus location. Property manager Frank Nichols knows that with the season come droves of both students and alumni.
    “We just get so busy. We’re the home of Ohio State basketball. It’s played right down the street from us, so on top of regular March Madness, we stay full every day.”
    Although OSU students are drawn to Damon’s because of its proximity to the school’s campus, Nichols says, “Most of how we get students in is beer promotions on weekends or selling beer by the bucket. And that doesn’t lure them so much as our Happy Hour Monday through Friday (when) it’s half price for everything.”
    Furthermore, Damon’s E-Club online mailing list helps management to keep track of every visitor, and it is an inexpensive way to endorse upcoming promotions, sports events and exclusive discounts.              NCB