Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Political Ads Target Sports Fans

Candidates buy time on regional sports networks to reach men, swing voters

Share

(Newser) – John McCain and Barack Obama are betting on the Minnesota-Ohio State football game this weekend—but they’d rather score points with fans than on the field, the Wall Street Journal reports. The candidates are advertising on regional sports networks to reach swing voters, and hard-to-reach men, in seven states.

The Big Ten Network, available in 22 million homes, has pulled in about 20% of the political ads sold by Fox Sports Net on regional sports networks this month. What makes the networks so attractive? Candidates don’t need to spend a lot to grab the attention of a valuable demographic.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, center, shows the
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, center, shows the "hook em horns" as he poses with members of the University of Texas football team in Austin, Texas.   (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain accepts a signed Pittsburgh Steelers football jersey after a tour of CONSOL Energy in South Park, Pa., on July 9, 2008.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain accepts a signed Pittsburgh Steelers football jersey after a tour of CONSOL Energy in South Park, Pa., on July 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Sen. John McCain and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani with his wife, Judith, stand for the National Anthem before the Yankees vs. Oakland A's baseball game on July 20, 2008.
Sen. John McCain and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani with his wife, Judith, stand for the National Anthem before the Yankees vs. Oakland A's baseball game on July 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
More than 18,000 supporters cheer Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, at a rally at football stadium in Dublin, Ohio, on Aug. 30, 2008.
More than 18,000 supporters cheer Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, at a rally at football stadium in Dublin, Ohio, on Aug. 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

39 Stories

Dole Gets DNC Health Reform Spot Pulled

Ad citing former GOP senator's support 'backhanded,' he says

Oct 11, 09 8:00 PM CDT
(AP) - The Democratic National Committee is canceling a television ad touting GOP support for health care reform after protests from one of the Republicans mentioned, former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole. Dole is quoted saying: "I want this to pass...We've got to do something." The former Kansas senator... More »

MORE ABOUT:
GOP • Republican Party • Rahm Emanuel • Democratic National Committee • Bob Dole • health care reform • political advertising • television advertising

OPINION

For Pro Athletes, Retirement Is a Nightmare


Aug 13, 09 8:25 AM CDT
(Newser) - Steve McNair’s death was a grisly illustration of the nightmare that retirement can be for pro athletes, writes former outfielder Doug Glanville in the New York Times. Though players are often told they’ll be set for life, “the pleasure of a hammock at age 35 only... More »

MORE ABOUT:
football • retirement • athlete • Steve McNair • baseball • professional athletes

OPINION

 Worst (Un)Retirements 
 in Sports 


May 21, 09 9:09 AM CDT
(Newser) - With Brett Favre mulling yet another unretirement, Will Leitch of New York magazine looks back on the worst unretirements in sports history. They range from cringe-worthy to incomparably cringe-worthy:
  • Ricky Williams: How many drug tests can one man fail?
  • Lance Armstrong: "It’s difficult to come
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NFL • Chicago Cubs • Washington Wizards • Chicago Bulls • Roger Clemens • Brett Favre • Green Bay Packers • cycling • football • Michael Jordan • Miami Dolphins • retirement • Tour de France • Evander Holyfield • New Orleans Saints • Lance Armstrong • New York Jets • bicycling • Ricky Williams • baseball

39 Stories


Search marketing could also grab swing votes
Online Media Daily

Why swing-state polls contradict each other
NPR


Politics  •  Business  •  Sports 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
football • political advertising • Big Ten • baseball • Big Ten Conference • Election 2008 • television advertising

from our news partners