Just prior to the first NBA Finals game in Cleveland since the summer of 2007, Nike took out a stark black and white ad in the Cleveland Plain Dealer reading “There’s Always This Year” on a full page spread. It’s a clever and motivational play on the common thought process of “waiting until next year” that comes with accepting a loss, because despite Golden State’s successful run, the Cavs have their sights set on bringing home a title in 2015. Since the over-sized billboard went back up on the Sherwin-Williams building, Nike has been relatively mum in regards to targeted ads, but this short one-liner certainly has a resounding effect. Check it out below and stay tuned for Game 3 airing later tonight.
Front page and back page of today’s Cleveland Plain Dealer sports section: pic.twitter.com/Yx8fKP8ZaU
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) June 9, 2015