The OKC Thunder were the final team without a patch on their jersey. That has changed, as the team added a patch with long-time sponsor Love’s Travel Shops.
Prior to Friday afternoon, the OKC Thunder were the only team that did not sport a jersey patch. But, that reality is no more, as the team announced its first jersey sponsor ever would be with none other than long-time partner Love’s Travel Shops.
The Thunder and Love’s have had a close marketing relationship since the team’s inaugural season. The founders of the company, Judy and Tom Love both sit courtside at every Thunder home game. The entire 300-330 upper-level section of the arena is dubbed Love’s Loud City. Love’s has also provided fan bammers and t-shirts for playoff games throughout the Thunder’s numerous playoff runs.
The Thunder is debuting its first jersey ad partnership, @LovesTravelStop, at Saturday's game vs. the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/yPoj8MmZkG
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) March 15, 2019
Love’s Travel Shops also gave Russell Westbrook a hat tip at the NASCAR Cup race, after the Thunder guard was named the 2016-17 NBA MVP. The company placed the hashtag #0urMVP on driver Landon Cassill’s No. 34 car ahead of the race. Love’s also put the hashtag on a number of their gas tanker trucks.
The above information is courtesy of the Oklahoman/NewsOK.com
Great weekend ahead. @landoncassill meets fans at Love’s, and the No. 34 Love’s Ford shows the love to #0urMVP. https://t.co/AfSO2PdInC pic.twitter.com/hGeuu398Y0
— Love's Travel Stops (@LovesTravelStop) July 5, 2017
The patch will be placed across the right shoulder on all Thunder uniforms it will feature the traditional Love’s logo.
Everybody Love’s a good party
In honor of furthering their partnership with the brand Love’s the Thunder threw a party and hosted roughly 150 children from the local YMCA and the Boy’s and Girl’s club of Central Oklahoma. The small event was held inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The shindig featured a standard size Love’s tanker truck parked courtside, which the team’s mascot Rumble the Bison stood atop at one point. Some players were there to interact with the kids such as Raymond Felton and Dennis Schroder. The Thunder Girls were also on hand, they signed autographs, for the kids on Love’s fan bammers. And, last but not the least, entertainment from the friendly and energetic Thunder Drummers was on tap.
The reason behind the patch?
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The patch might signify more than the OKC Thunder simply making a new fashion statement. Also for the first time in franchise history, the Thunder placed an ad on the court with the brand Paycom. Dental Depot can be read from the top of the backboard, which can be seen during replays on the TV and in the arena.
Each of these sponsors pays the organization a sum of money, to have their name and logo promoted by the Thunder. With Oklahoma City currently paying the luxury tax, anyway, the franchise can help offset the high price of its roster is a bonus.
Enjoy the new patch Thunder Nation, because it appears it is here to stay for the foreseeable future.