TNT To Play G-E-I-C-O Instead Of H-O-R-S-E

Friday, February 06, 2009


Ugh. First Cuts, gives us more background on the new the H-O-R-S-E competition TNT is putting on during All-Star Saturday, and it's not good news. Instead of going with the standard name of the game, or even putting a sponsor in front of it, TNT is completely changing the name of the contest from H-O-R-S-E to G-E-I-C-O. From USA Today via FC....

So it shouldn't surprise — especially as all sports are scrambling to find new places to hang "for sale" signs given the current economy — that the NBA's first H-O-R-S-E contest won't use those letters.

As that contest joins dunking and three-point shooting contests as part of TNT's NBA All-Star Weekend coverage, the as-yet unnamed three contestants — who'll be overseen by an NBA ref — will play G-E-I-C-O. As in the insurance company that will be the event's unavoidable sponsor. (Suggestion: The winner then takes on the famous ad lizard to really drive home the brand awareness.)
I understand the need to get a sponsor for every competition, but that's just a bit annoying. Couldn't they have done what they do to every other event and just call it the Geico H-O-R-S-E contest? Either way though, that setup pictured above is pretty badass. If someone doesn't take a shot from that raised platform where EJ, Kenny and C-Webb are, they should be banned from ever competing again.

NBA Players To Play 'G-E-I-C-O' Not 'H-O-R-S-E' (First Cuts)
Missed shot gets you letter, ad bucks (USA Today)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 10:34 AM

11 Comments:

That Caveman is going to be pissed. Does the winner get a stack of cash with googly eyes?

GMoney said...
Feb 6, 2009, 10:53:00 AM  

And this is when you know that advertisers are going way too far to advertise their products.

Justin F. said...
Feb 6, 2009, 11:16:00 AM  

GEICO? So not only will you be displaying your shot making skills, but also your knowledge of the I before E rule.... or the exception too...?

Rex Banner said...
Feb 6, 2009, 11:50:00 AM  

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arrie said...
Feb 6, 2009, 12:31:00 PM  

Arrie...if I ever meet you in public, you will tell me how my ass taste.

And Geico continues to be the bane of human existence.

Anonymous said...
Feb 6, 2009, 12:46:00 PM  

I hate Geico with a passion. I wish they would go bankrupt like Enron did so we would never be exposed to their never ending, stupid fucking commercials ever again.

Arrie, you are a complete piece of dogshit. Go peddle your crap someplace else. And have a really terrible, shitty day while you're at it. ASSHOLE !!

Anonymous said...
Feb 6, 2009, 1:24:00 PM  

Geico is so stupid. I even prefer Free Credit Report.com commercials to that stupid gecko.

Brad James said...
Feb 6, 2009, 1:33:00 PM  

I'm surprised Rockwell* isn't going to sing "Somebody's Watching Me" during the festivities.

*Does not know if dude is still alive.

Feb 6, 2009, 2:53:00 PM  

@ RJBO: Rockwell's still alive (he's 48), but he has not been active in the music business for 18 years. G-E-I-C-O on NBA All-Star Saturday would be one heck of a way to make a comeback, though...

Justin F. said...
Feb 7, 2009, 12:46:00 AM  

"If someone doesn't take a shot from that raised platform where EJ, Kenny and C-Webb are, they should be banned from ever competing again."

While I agree with the sentiment, your sentence, as written, implies that everyone would have to shoot from the platform to avoid the lifetime ban. :-P

Jay said...
Feb 7, 2009, 4:05:00 AM  

This takes 'product placement' right into the gutter. Wait...that's where it was to begin with.

Chris said...
Feb 7, 2009, 9:59:00 AM  

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