Drew Brees, Troy Aikman 'Rent' An Hour On Fox During Super Bowl Sunday
By Barry Janoff, Executive Editor
December 22, 2010: Even if the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints fail to make it to Super Bowl XLV, their quarterback will be there as part of the day-long Super Bowl XLV Sunday festivities.
Rent-A-Center, a national chain that offers consumers rent-to-own items such as furniture, appliances and electronics, is putting the final touches on an hour-long special, Inside the Rings, with Troy Aikman. Among other stars of past Super Bowls, the show will feature quarterback Drew Brees, who was named MVP of Super Bowl XLIV when he led the Saints to a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Inside the Rings, with Troy Aikman is scheduled to air nationally prior to Super Bowl XLV on Fox, Feb. 6, 2011. The show will focus on "championship plays and memorable teams of the past," according to Xavier Dominicis, vp-public affairs for Rent-A-Center. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Rent-A-Center is not officially affiliated with the NFL or the Super Bowl. But the company is taking advantage of the fact that Aikman, who will be part of the Super Bowl XLV broadcast team as a Fox announcer/analyst, is featured in its national marketing along with wrestler Hulk Hogan. In addition, Rent-A-Center is based in Plano, Texas, about 40 miles from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, the site for Super Bowl XLV.
"The show [on Super Bowl Sunday] is a strong fit given our tie to Troy Aikman," said Dominicis.
Rent-A-Center will be the lead sponsor for Inside the Rings but not the only company with TV spots during the hour-long broadcast. "There are more than four other advertisers, plus local commercials and Fox promotional spots," said Dominicis.
In addition to Brees, participants include Jerome Bettis, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers when the team won Super Bowl XL; and Kurt Warner, who was MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV with the St. Louis Rams and also played in Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals. Aikman played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys (1989-2000), was MVP of Super Bowl XXVII and also led the Cowboys to victory in Super Bowls XXVIII and XXX.
Following the taping of the special in New Orleans, Rent-A-Center donated the residential furnishings and TVs used on the set to the Brees Dream Foundation, which is committed to advancing research in the fight against cancer and providing care, education and opportunities for children in need.
Rent-A-Center, which was founded in 1973, has more than 3,000 locations and 18,000 employees nationwide.