The Pacers, whose uniforms had been blissfully ad-free this season, announced today that they’re selling space on their uniform to a tech start-up that offers users a way to record and share personalized video messages using QR codes. As you can see above, the ad patches themselves include QR codes.
Terms were not disclosed. The advertisement will make its on-court debut tonight, when the Pacers host the Bucks (whose jersey ad does not include a QR code, so that should help you tell the two teams apart even if they wear unfamiliar uniforms).
According to the team’s press release, the QR code on the jerseys “unlocks special Pacers content for fans, including content not previously seen elsewhere,” a frustratingly vague statement. When I pointed my phone’s camera at the codes shown in the photo at the top of this page, it “unlocked” a hype video for the ad patch (which, sure enough, I had not previously seen elsewhere, and hope I never see again).
According to this article, the advertiser’s logo will also appear at each end of the Pacers’ court. It’s not clear whether those graphics will also include QR codes.
In a complete and utterly random coincidence, I will soon be leaving Uni Watch.
Literally a way to get revenue from multiple sources. “Tonight’s Spokenote will link you to our official XYZ partner BlahBlahBlah, where you can save 69% off XYZ service tonight only with a Pacers win!”
Haha, being able to say “welp, I’m leaving” to any unfortunate uni-verse news over the next 5 months is going to continue to be hilarious to me.
Thanks for all of the hard work you’ve done here, Paul! I’m married now, but I’ve been reading your stuff since I was in middle school. Your work connected with my love of uniforms so well, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Will miss your uni-verse work, but look forward to what you do in the future!
Yeah. It’s crap like this. I hope everyone now officially “gets it TM” why you have decided to move on.
Thrilled your self-righteous “ewww, ads are gross” takes while shilling for all your crappy merch are coming to an end. GFY you irrelevant boomer.
Actually, I’ve never said ads are gross. I’ve said ads *on uniforms* (and a few other places) are gross. That’s all.
For all the people who’ll miss reading me because they *like* my work, the people who are into hate-reading Uni Watch will clearly miss me most of all. Shed a tear for those poor souls, everyone.
Paul, what’s your guess for went we’ll finally see the NBA adopt international soccer-style uniforms (small team logo tucked in the corner, huge sponsor logo across the front)? 3-5 years?
I don’t see that happening anytime soon. The team names, and their positioning on the jersey chests, have too much value.
I know a lot of fans like to say things like, “Oh, soon they’ll look like soccer,” or “Soon they’ll look like NASCAR,” but I’ve never said that, and I don’t expect it to happen.
You rage tears are delicious.
Of the ~250 comments I’ve read regarding Paul’s departure, exactly 2 of them have expressed this kind of sentiment. What I find hilarious is that both of them have been one of the first comments on their respective articles.
Haters really are the most obsessed.
lol wow… who the hell uses “boomer” anymore?
According to the team’s press release, the QR code on the jerseys “unlocks special Pacers content for fans, including content not previously seen elsewhere,” a frustratingly vague statement.
All I can think of is this:
link
I’m not saying people *should*, but it’s only a matter of time until someone buys a jersey, and makes a fake ad patch with a QR Code that just links to malware that instantly bricks someone’s phone. Like the knockoff jerseys sold outside the arena will almost certainly have QR Codes that lead to phishing links
“In a complete and utterly random coincidence, I will soon be leaving Uni Watch.”
Haha, yep.
Soon every ad will be a QR code with a little logo underneath. Not only on uniforms but on billboards and fields of play as well, redirecting to videos or animated content.