Sports Advertising in the US: A Game-Changer in 2024 and an Even Bigger Play in 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhere does your sports advertising spend really go, and is it actually driving value? Sports have always been a goldmine for advertisers, but traditional advertising methods are no longer enough. In 2024, brands witnessed record-breaking Super Bowl ads and the power of digital streaming, yet with audiences engaging across multiple screens and platforms, static ads struggle to make an impact. Not to mention, despite substantial budgets, many advertisers find their efforts are directed at the wrong inventory and audience. With fragmented viewership and evolving platforms, the relevant audience isn’t always guaranteed, leaving advertisers vulnerable to wasted spend.
Proxima’s research reveals that companies are ineffectively allocating between 40-60% of their digital marketing budgets, with most wastage coming from non-human traffic and poor viewability/placement. Moreover, many businesses invest in marketing tools and digital channels simply because they feel they should, but fail to fully leverage these technologies to unlock their true potential. In this ever-shifting media landscape, brands face increasing pressure to ensure their sports advertising efforts not only reach the right people but also drive meaningful, measurable results.
That’s where VDO.AI comes in—we help advertisers transform their sports advertising budgets and move beyond traditional formats to AI-driven, dynamic, and interactive campaigns that maximize audience attention and ROI.
The question isn’t whether to invest in sports advertising; it’s how to leverage the right technology to drive better results.
Super Bowl: The Pinnacle of High-Stakes Advertising
No event commands advertiser dollars like the Super Bowl. Super Bowl LVIII (February 11, 2024) shattered records with 23.7 million viewers (Statista) and brands investing $7 million for just 30 seconds of airtime. Yet many brands still rely on expensive, one-time TV spots that may not drive long-term engagement.
VDO.AI helps brands go beyond the 30-second ad on a traditional TV. Our AI-powered video ad solutions extend campaign reach across Connected TV (CTV), desktop, and mobile, ensuring brands stay top-of-mind long after the final whistle.
The NBA’s Digital Takeover: Engaging Fans Beyond TV
The NBA isn’t just about basketball—it’s about culture, entertainment, and a loyal global fanbase. The 2024 NBA All-Star Game attracted 64.7 million unique global viewers (NBA PR), reinforcing the sport’s immense digital reach. Yet, traditional TV ads fail to engage fans interacting across multiple devices. VDO.AI builds winning strategies for the NBA and its advertisers by leveraging:
- AI-powered contextual targeting – Delivering relevant ads based on in-game moments.
- Interactive video formats – Engaging fans with shoppable, immersive experiences and cross-screen experiences with QR integrations, Polls, etc.
- Real-time CTV activations – Placing ads exactly when engagement peaks.
March Madness: The Perfect Storm for AI-Driven Advertising
March Madness is unpredictable, with viral moments driving massive engagement. In 2024, viewership averaged 9.86 million per game (Statista), but many brands miss out by relying solely on traditional placements.
VDO.AI changes the game with:
- Programmatic ad placements that adapt to live game dynamics.
- AI-driven engagement tools, providing real-time audience insights.
- Cross-screen strategies, ensuring seamless engagement from TV to mobile.
The Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Seizing the Soccer Boom
Soccer viewership is exploding in the U.S., with FIFA World Cup Qualifiers expected to draw millions of viewers in 2025 (FIFA). But brands need bilingual, cross-platform ad strategies to capture this diverse audience.
VDO.AI delivers:
- Multilingual ad experiences to engage diverse fanbases.
- Programmatic Advertising – Automating placements and for high-precision impact
- CTV-powered solutions that drive measurable ROI.
2025 Will Be Bigger—Are You Ready to Win?
2024 set new records. Brands spent millions per 30-second ad spot, yet many of these ads lacked precise audience targeting—resulting in wasted impressions, missed engagement, and inefficient spending. In 2025, the smarter play isn’t just being seen—it’s being seen by the right audience, at the right moment, on the right screen.
VDO.AI ensures your brand doesn’t just appear during the game—it becomes part of the fan experience. Let’s build your AI-powered sports advertising strategy for 2025. Connect with us today!
