NYSportsJournalism.com - Pass It On: Esurance Playing In Super Bowl 50

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NEWS REAL

• The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel has unveiled several changes for football beginning with the 2024 season. In-helmet communications between coaches and designated players on the field will be allowed for the first time. Teams will now be able to watch in-game video on tablets on the sidelines. And games will now have a two-minute warning at the end of both halves,

Additionally, head coaches can conduct interviews with broadcast partners after the first and third quarters. This was allowed on an experimental basis last season and will be added as a permanent rule.

• AP Sports: FedEx on Friday pledged $25 million over the next five years to be used in sponsorship deals with University of Memphis athletes, a huge boost for the school's name, image and likeness compensation efforts.

The Memphis-based shipping giant said the program will initially focus on football, men's and women's basketball and other women's sports. The deal was facilitated by Altius Sports Partners, a company that works with dozens of schools on NIL activities. (Full story here.)

• Bloomberg: Nike is preparing to sign an eight-figure deal with Caitlin Clark, including a signature shoe. Clark had a NIL deal with Nike while she played at Iowa, which expired at the end of the college basketball season. (Full story here.)

NHL OKs Arizona Move To Utah

• The NFL unveiled the headlining acts for the NFL Draft Concert Series, which will take place as part of the 2024 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light April 25-27.

Spotlighting Detroit's music scene, the NFL Draft Concert Series presented by Bud Light will feature performances from Big Sean, Detroit Youth Choir and Bazzi.

“With the Draft coming to Detroit, we knew the importance of representing the rich cultural history and music legacy of this city as part of our NFL Draft Concert Series," Tim Tubito, NFL director of event presentation and content, said via the league.

• ESPN: The United States Justice Department has agreed to pay around 100 victims of disgraced former Team USA doctor Larry Nassar approximately $100 million for the FBI's failures to properly investigate reports of Nassar's sexual assaults against America's top gymnasts and others, according to a report Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal.

If the agreement becomes final, it would push the total amount of settlements in the sprawling legal cases against Nassar to nearly $1 billion. (Full story here.)

MLB Refreshes With BlueTriton Brands As Water Partner

• The Hollywood Reporter: O.J. Simpson’s longtime attorney, who was named executor of the former NFL star’s will ahead of his death last week, has said he will ensure that any claim the parents of Ron Goldman make to retrieve the millions they were awarded in a 1998 civil judgment against the accused killer will be accepted by the estate.

Attorney Malcolm LaVergne represented Simpson from 2009 until the former running back’s death on April 10 after a battle with prostate cancer. (Full story here.)

• Guild Career Opportunity Platform has signed a partnership with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Guild will serve as an “official education, skilling and career mobility provider . . . providing a first-of-its-kind opportunity for Team USA athletes to receive education and career development opportunities with personalized one-on-one coaching to support athletes in building competitive careers alongside their athletic achievements.”

MLS NYCFC New $800M Pitch

Crosby Tops NHLPA Player Poll

• The NFL said the Green Bay Packers woud play the Philadelphia Eagles in the legue's first regular season game in Brazil, as part of the 2024 International Games, on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, also marking the first time the NFL has played a game on Friday night of their opening weekend since 1970 (Cardinals at Rams, Sept. 18, 1970). 

The game will be played in São Paulo in the Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians, and will be each team's first game of the 2024 regular season. Peacock (NBCUniversal) has secured the exclusive rights to stream the Week 1 game in São Paulo.

NFL Helmets A Head Of The Game

NWSL Chicago Red Stars Swing Into Wrigley

WrestleMania XL Excels

Baseball Hall Statue To Honor Hank, USPS Stamp To Follow

• The Chicago Bears will face the Houston Texans in the 2024 Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1 to begin the NFL’s pre-season during then Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week in Canton, Ohio. Broadcast partner is TBD.

Suns And The Stars: Phoenix To Host 2027 NBA ASG

• ESPN: Over 150 players at the 2023 Women's World Cup received targeted abuse on social media, with a FIFA report showing that the United States women's national team squad received more than twice the number of discriminatory or threatening posts of any other competing nation. Full story here.

Survey: More Brands Should Increase Support For Women’s Sports

• Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, has launched through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism “Stand Up to Jewish Hate,” a $25 million multi-media campaign to “raise awareness nationwide about soaring incidents of antisemitism online and in person.”

• AP: Attempted book bans and restrictions at school and public libraries continue to surge, setting a record in 2023, according to a new report from the American Library Assn. Full story here.

POLL POSITION

Forbes NFL Most Valuable Teams 2023

1. Dallas Cowboys $9B
2. New England Patriots $7B
3. Los Angeles Rams $6.9B
4. New York Giants S $6.8B
5. Chicago Bears $6.3B
6. Las Vegas Raiders $6.2B
7. New York Jets $6.1B
8. Washington Commanders $6.05B
9. San Francisco 49ers $6B
10. Philadelphia Eagles $5.8B

11. Miami Dolphins $5.7B
12. Houston Texans $5.5B
13. Denver Bronos $5.1B
14. Seattle Seahawks $5B
15. Atlanta Falcons $4.7B
16. Minnesota Vikings $4.65B
17. Baltimore Ravens $4.63B
18. Pittsburgh Steelers $4.63B
19. Cleveland Browns $4.62B
20. Green Bay Packers $4.6B

21. Tennessee Titans $4.4B
22. Indianapolis Colts $4.36B
23. Kansas City Chiefs $4.3B
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers $4.2B
25. Los Angeles Chargers $4.15B
26. Carolina Panthers $4.1B
27. New Orleans Saints $4.08
28. Jacksonville Jaguars $4B
29. Arizona Cardinals $3.8B
30. Buffalo Bills $3.7B
31. Detroit Lions $3.6B
32. Cincinnati Bengals $3.5B
Source: Forbes

AVERAGE TEAM VALUES

1. NFL (32 teams): $5.11B
2. NBA (30 teams): $2.86B
3. MLB (30 teams): $2.32B
4. Soccer (top 30 teams): $2.17B
5. Formula 1 (10 teams): $1.88B
6. Indian Premier League (10 teams): $1.04
7. NHL (32 teams): $1.03B
8. MLS (28 teams) $579M
Source: Forbes

Forbes MLB Most Valuable Teams 2023

1. New York Yankees $7.1B (+18% from 2022)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers $4.8B (+18%)
3. Boston Red Sox $4.5B (+15%)
4. Chicago Cubs $4.1B (+8%
5. San Francisco Giants $3.7B (+6%)
6. New York Mets $2.9B (+9%)
7. Los Angeles Angels $2.7B (+23%)
8. Atlanta Braves $2.6B (+24%)
9. Philadelphia Phillies $2.575B (+12%)
10. St. Louis Cardinals $2.55B (+4)

11. Houston Astros $2.25B
12. Texas Rangers $2.225B
13. Seattle Mariners $2.2B
14. Toronto Blue Jays $2.1B
15. Chicago White Sox $2.05B
16. Washington Commanders $2B
17. San Diego Padres $1.75B
18. Baltimore Orioles $1.87B
19. Milwaukee Brewers $1.6B
20. Colorado Rockies $1.475B

21. Detroit Tigers $1.45B
22. Minnesota Twins $1.39B
23. Arizona Diamondbacks $.38B
24. Pittsburgh Pirates $1.32B
25. Cleveland Guardians $1.3
26. Tampa Bay Rays $1.25B
27. Kansas City Royals $1.2B
28. Cincinnati Reds $1.19B
29. Oakland A’s $1.18B
30. Miami Marlins $1B

Source: Forbes

Forbes World’s Most Valuable Soccer Clubs 2023

1. Real Madrid Spanish La Liga Spain $6.07B
2. Manchester United EPL England $6B
3. Barcelona Spanish La Liga Spain $5.51B
4. Liverpool EPL England $5.29B
5. Manchester City EPL England $4.99B
6. Bayern Munich Bundesliga Germany $4.86B
7. Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 France $4.21B
8. Chelsea EPL England $3.1B
9. Tottenham Hotspur EPL England $2.8B
10. Arsenal EPL England $2.26B

See the full list here: Forbes

Forbes NBA Most Valuable Franchises 2022

1. Golden State Warriors $7B
2. New York Knicks $6.1B
3. Los Angeles Lakers $5.9B
4. Chicago Bulls $4.1B
5. Boston Celtics $4 B
6. Loa Angeles Clippers $3.9B
7. Brooklyn Nets $3.5B
8. Dallas Mavericks $3.3B
9. Houston Rockets $3.2B
10. Philadelphia 76ers $3.15B
11. Toronto Raptors $3.1B
12. Miami Heat $3B

26. Indiana Pacers $1.8B
27. Charlotte Hornets $1.7B
28, Minnesota Timberwolves $1.67B
29. Memphis Grizzles $1/65B
30. New Orleans Pelicans $1.6B

See the full list here: Forbes

Most Valuable NHL Franchises 2022
1. Toronto Maple Leafs $2.12B
2. New York Rangers $2.01B
3. Montreal Canadians $1.7B
4. Chicago Blackhawks $1.44B
5. Boston Bruins $1.41B
6. Los Angeles Kings $1.39B
7. Philadelphia Flyers $1.35B
8. Edmonton Oilers $1.29B
9. Washington Capitals $1.22B
10. Detroit Red Wings $1.12B
32. Arizona Coyotes $465M

Source: Sportico

KEEPING SCORE

World’s Richest Sports Franchise Owners 2022
1. Steve Ballmer NBA Los Angeles Clippers $83B
2. Rob Walton NFL Denver Broncos $56.7B
3. David Tepper NFL Carolina Panthers $18.5B
4. Robert Pera NBA Memphis Grizzlies $17.6B
5. Steve Cohen MLB New York Mets $17.5B
6. Dan Gilbert NBA Cleveland Cavaliers $17.3B
7. Jerry Jones NFL Dallas Cowboys $16B
8. Stan Kroenke NFL Los Angeles Rams, NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche $12.9B
9. Stephen Ross NFL Miami Dolphins $11.6B
10. Shahid Khan NFL Jacksonville Jaguars $11.2B

This year’s Forbes 400 includes 50 sports team owners with controlling stakes, up from 43 last year. Among them, 17 own NFL teams, 14 own NBA franchises, 12 own NHL clubs and 9 are MLB owners.

Source: Forbes

BUY SELL

World’s Top-Ten Highest Paid Athletes 2023

1. Cristiano Ronaldo soccer: $136 million total earnings/$90 million off-field
2. Lionel Messi soccer: $130 million total/$65 million off-field
3. Kylian Mbappé soccer: $120 million total/$20 million off-field
4. LeBron James NBA: $119.5 million total/$75 million off-field
5. Canelo Álvarez boxing: $110 million total/$10 million off-field
6. Dustin Johnson golf: $107 million total/$5 million off-field
7. Phil Mickelson golf: $106 million total/$2 million off-field
8. Steph Curry NBA: $100.4 million total/$52 million off-field
9. Roger Federer tennis (retired):$95.1 million total/$95 million off-field
10. Kevin Durant NBA: $89.1 million total/$45 million off-field

Source: Forbes

Forbes' Top 11 Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2023

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260m)
2. Lionel Messi ($135m)
3. Neymar ($112m)
4. Kylian Mbappé ($110m)
5. Karim Benzema ($106m)
6. Erling Haaland ($58m)
7. Mohamed Salah ($53m)
8. Sadio Mané ($52m)
9. Kevin De Bruyne ($39m)
10. Harry Kane ($36m)
11. Robert Lewandowski ($34m)

Source: Forbes

2022 Highest-Paid Female Athletes
1. Naomi Osaka WTA ($51.1M) On-Field: $1.1M Off-Field: $50M
2. Serena Williams WTA ($41.3M) On-Field: $0.3M Off-Field: $41M
3. Eileen Gu Freestyle skiing ($20.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $20M
4. Emma Raducanu WTA ($18.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $18M
5. Iga Swiatek WTA ($14.9M) On-Field: $9.9M Off-Field: $5M
6. Venus Williams WTA ($12.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $12M
7. Coco Gauff WTA ($11.1M) On-Field: $3.1M Off-Field: $8M
8. Simone Biles Gymnastics ($10M) On-Field: $0 Off-Field: $10M
9. Jessica Pegula WTA ($7.6M) On-Field: $3.6M Off-Field: $4M
10. Minjee Lee Golf ($7.3M) On-Field: $4.8M Off-Field: $2.5M

11. Candice Parker WNBA ($7.2M) On-Field: $0.2M Off-Field: $7M
12. P.V. Sindhu Badminton ($7.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $7M
13. Leylah Fernandez WTA ($7M) On-Field: $1M Off-Field: $6M
14. Lydia Ko golf ($6.9M) On-Field: $4.4M Off-Field: $2.5M
15: Ons Jabeur WTA ($6.5M) On-Field: $5M Off-Field: $1.5M

16. Paula Badosa WTA ($6.2M) On-Field: $1.7M Off-Field: $4.5M
17. Lexi Thompson golf ($5.9M) On-Field: $1.9M Off-Field: $4M
18. Jin Young Ko golf ($5.8M) On-Field: $1.3M Off-Field: $4.5M
19. In Gee Chun golf ($5.7M) On-Field: $2.7M Off-Field: $3M
20. Alex Morgan soccer ($5.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $5M

21. Megan Rapinor soccer ($5.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $5M
22. Brooke Henderson golf ($5.4M) On-Field: $2.4M Off-Field: $3M
23. Nelly Korda golf ($5.4M) On-Field: $1.4M Off-Field: $4M
24, Caroline Garcia WTA ($5.2M) On-Field: $3.7M Off-Field: $1.5M
25. Garbiñe Muguruza WTA ($5.2M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $4.5M
Source: Forbes

SUPER BOWL WATCH

Upcoming Super Bowls
• Super Bowl LVIII (2023 Season) Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas Feb. 11, 2024 CBS
• Super Bowl LVIX (2024 Season) Caesars Superdome New Orleans Feb. 9, 2025 Fox
• Super Bowl LX (2025 Season) Levi's Stadium Santa Calra, Calif. Feb. 9, 2026 NBC
• Super Bowl LXI (2026 Season) Site TBD February 2027 ABC
• Super Bowl LXII (2027 Season) Site TBD February 2028 CBS
• Super Bowl LXIII (2028 Season) Site TBD February 2029 FOX
• Super Bowl LXIV (2029 Season) Site TBD February 2030 NBC
• Super Bowl LXV (2030 Season) Site TBD February 2031 ABC
• Super Bowl LXVI (2031 Season) Site TBD February 2032 CBS
• Super Bowl LXVII (2032 Season) Site TBD February 2033 FOX
• Super Bowl LVIII (2033 Season) Site TBD February 2034 NBC

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs See More Ads Below

NOW TRENDING

The WNBA’s Washington Mystics have moved their June 7 game vs. Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever from Entertainment and Sports Arena 4,200 seats to Capital One Arena 20,000. It will be air on ION television as part of the WNBA's Friday Nights on ION series.

On its first day of auction (April19) at Goldin, the Ultimate Logos Signature #MJ-L Michael Jordan Signed Game-Used Logoman Patch Card (1/1), with a PSA Authentic Gem Mint 10, at a current bid of $1.3 million. Bidding closes June 1.

The NWSL signs Matt Soloff as svp-business development. He will lead the "development and implementation of new marketing partnerships driving the objectives of the league including revenue generation and fan engagement," reporting directly to NWSL chief marketing and commercial officer Julie Haddon. Soloff joins the league from the NBA where he was vp-new media partnerships. He previously led corporate sales at the New York Mets.

RIP Dickie Betts

The NBA said KOHO Financial fintech company has signed a deal to serve as presenting partner for the 2024 NBA Playoffs in Canada, the league’s first marketing partnership with the company. The 2024 NBA Playoffs presented by KOHO are airing live in Canada on Sportsnet and TSN.

All The Smoke original podcast hosted by NBA champions Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson unveiled the program’s first multi-city live tour. Will feature music, entertainment, fan interactions, iconic guests from each host city. Signature episodes will be filmed in landmark theaters across the country. Details here.

Great Clips, the official hair salon of the NHL & NHLPA, launches 2nd annual Show Your Flow campaign, encouraging people to share photos and videos of their unique and individual Hockey Hair flows for the chance to be inducted into the Hockey Hair Hall of Fame. Support includes TV and multi-media marketing w NHL players Matthew Tkachuk and William Karlsson and PWHL star Hilary Knight. Details here.

In anticipation of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Chipotle Mexican Grill — the official Mexican-themed quick service and fast-casual restaurant of the NHL — returns its 'Wear Your Hockey Jersey' program offering a BOGO deal on entrees to in-restaurant diners who don a hockey jersey on April 22 . The promotion is valid at all participating Chipotle restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. Details here.

IOC and nWay launch Olympics Go! Paris 2024 – the official mobile game for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin told SBJ said that Caitlin Clark had the “highest selling jersey on WNBA Draft night of any athlete in any sport in the company’s history. She broke every record for most Draft day sales ever in the history of Fanatics (including NFL and NBA).”

Patrick Mahomes is on a cover of Time Magazine as one of the Most Influential People of 2024. Profile written by Alex Rodriguez.

Men’s underwear brand Saxx has signed endorsement deals with five PGA Tour caddies: Geno Bonnalie (Joel Dahmen), Aaron Flener (J.T. Poston), John Limanti (Keith Mitchell) and Joel Stock (Will Zalatoris) and John Ellis, reigning U.S. Open champion caddie for Wyndham Clark. It includes Birdies For Balls, in which Saxx will donate $100 to the Testicular Cancer Foundation for every birdie made by the caddies’ players for the rest of the season.

ESPN Films said it has green-lit an upcoming 30 for 30 documentary to be centered around the life of the late Stuart Scott, a longtime ESPN sportscaster, journalist and analyst who passed away from cancer in 2015 at 49.

Comic Relief U.S.’s Red Nose Day and the Harlem Globetrotters are partnering for the second consecutive year to raise money and change lives for children facing poverty Red Nose Day fun will be infused through all 44 games in April across 15 states during the Globetrotters' Domestic 2024 World Tour. Red Nose Day returns for its 10th year on May 23.

MLB Mike Trout That Opening Day Feeling

Bryan Cranston stars in a new spot for the 2024 MLB season: “Opening Week Is Here

Orphan Black: Echoes AMC 2024 Krysten Ritter: ‘A completely unique copy of the original’

2Daze Nwslttr: @NBA In-Season Tourney Goes Hollywood In 'The Heist'; @NHRA Names @MissionFoodsUS Premier Series Title Sponsor; @Spalding Joins w @Crayola For Colorful Products; #NBA ASG Returns To Tradition; @CBSSports To Air 300+ College Hoops Games http://www.NYSportsJournalism.com

9/11 + 22 Years

“We meet aliens every day who have something to give us. They come in the form of people with different opinions.” — William Shatner

"There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free." — Jackie Robinson

“We all wish we had superpowers. We all wish we could do more than we can do.” — Stan Lee

'Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity' — #MartinLutherKingJr

'We have come too far, we have sacrificed too much, to disdain the future now' — #JFK

“All of us might wish at times that we lived in a more tranquil world, but we don't. And if our times are difficult and perplexing, so are they challenging and filled with opportunity.” — Robert F. Kennedy d June 6, 1968

@TheSatoProject #SatoStrong rescues #dogs in #PuertoRico & finds U.S. homes 2k+ in 10+ yrs https://www.thesatoproject.org Milo & siblings now in U.S. 6+ years

SOCIAL ISSUES

College News

Colorado Back To Big 12
NCAA Adds Women NIT
ACC Games On The CW
U-FLA $440M Stadium
CFB TItles Games '25, '26

Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnfkenn121400.html#46Ul8rBF4XpB4lo0.99

EXTREME SPORTS

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NOW PLAYING

Forbes Top 30 Most Valuable Sports Franchises 2022

1. Dallas Cowboys $8B
2. New England Patriots $6.4B
3. Los Angeles Rams $6.2B
T4. New York Yankees $6B
T4. New York Giants $6B
T6. New York Knicks $5.8B
T6. Chicago Bears $5.8B
T8. Golden State Warriors $5.6B
T8. Washington Commanders $5.6B
10. Los Angeles Lakers $5.5B

11. New York Jets $5.4B
12. San Francisco 49ers $5.2B
T13. Real Madrid $5.1B
T13. Las Vegas Raiders $5.1B
15. Barcelona $5B
16. Philadelphia Eagles $4.9B
17. Houston Texans $4.7B
18. Denver Broncos $4.65B
T19. Manchester United $4.6B
T19. Miami Dolphins $4.6B

21. Seattle Seahawks $4.5B
22. Liverpool $4.45B
23. Bayern Munich $4.28B
T24. Manchester City $4.25B
T24. Green Bay Packers $4.25B
26. Los Angeles Dodgers $4.08B
27. Atlanta Falcons $4B
28. Pittsburgh Steelers $3.98B
29. Minnesota Vikings $3.93B
30. Boston Red Sox $3.9B

See the full list here.
Source: Forbes

Entries in sports marketing (1)

Thursday

Feb042016

Pass It On: Esurance Has $1 Million Reasons To Be Playing In Super Bowl 50

Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 04:27AM

By Barry Janoff

February 4, 2016: Esurance, the online insurance division of Allstate, made news last year during Super Bowl XLIX with TV spots under its "Sorta You Isn't You" umbrella effort that featured Lindsay Lohan and Bryan Cranston.

The company is back for Super Bowl 50 with a multi-platform effort, "Pass It On," with the message, "Esurance saves money, so they can pass those savings on to you," and in the process give away more than $1 million via its Esurance Pass It On Sweepstakes.

San Francisco-based Esurance, also home base to Super Bowl 50, will use the social media-anchored campaign as a lead-in to the company's second season as an official partner with MLB.

According to the company, beginning today, people who retweet messages via the Esurance Twitter handle tagged #EsuranceSweepstakes would be eligible to win.

A 30-second spot to air just before kickoff on Sunday will remind fans to “Pass It On” for chances to win throughout the Super Bowl.

Esurance said it would send out tweets at the beginning of every commercial break and then "select multiple prize winners each quarter who could win money in real time" even as the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos vie for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Their theme: "Esurance is modernizing protection and empowering customer to make smart insurance decisions."

"The Esurance Pass It On Sweepstakes allows us to engage with people in real time throughout the game, while also sharing information about who we are in a fun, memorable way,” Nancy Abraham, vp-integrated marketing communications for Esurance, said in a statement. “We want people to become more aware of and familiar with Esurance, so with every retweet they’ll learn something different.”

During the Super Bowl, viewers will be encouraged to "pass it on" as well by retweeting an Esurance tweet with the hashtag #EsuranceSweepstakes. Each retweet is an entry to win in the Esurance Pass It On Sweepstakes. (Details here.)

Esurance is also getting out the message via its Blog, Facebook and YouTube destinations.

The spot features people in everyday situations dropping whatever they’re doing to catch a football made of money and then passing the ball on to the next person.

According to Alan Gellman, CMO for Esurance, “With the rise of multi-screen viewing, especially around large-scale events, we wanted to connect with fans where they are already engaging with content – online and on social media. Our fully integrated program around the Big Game is a great example of how Esurance operates – fast, efficient and innovative in everything it does.”

In the spot, the Esurance money football is first seen on a playing field, where it gets kicked into a restaurant. A woman at the table passes the ball through a window to a guy at home coming out of his shower, who drops his towel when he goes to catch the ball.

He in turn passes the ball out the window to three men in a lab wearing protective suits, setting off an alarm. One of the men passes the ball to a guy riding on a lawn mower in front of his house, who tosses the ball, which ends up being caught by a businessman in an elevator.

Actor John Krasinski is the voiceover in the commercial. (See the full spot here.) Lead agency is Leo Burnett, Chicago.

"Every day Esurance uses technology to save money and they pass those savings on to you," says Krasinski. "So tonight look for tweets from Esurance at the beginning of every commercial break and pass them on We've got over $1 million to give away. And every retweet is another chance to win. An insurance company that passes its savings on to you? That's insurance for the modern world."

Last April, Esurance become the official auto insurance sponsor of MLB and title sponsor for the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot and the post-season Esurance MLB Awards.

Esurance has an endorsement deal with San Francisco Giants catcher and three-time World Series champion Buster Posey, who has a starring role in his own "Sorta You Isn't You" commercial.