Business Council of Alabama Introduces First Opportunity of its Kind to Begin Sept. 1

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – An unprecedented initiative offers one small business in the state of Alabama the opportunity to be awarded a complimentary 2016 Alabama football sponsorship by the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) as announced today by Crimson Tide Sports Marketing, University of Alabama Athletics’ multimedia rights holder.

BCA Logo [Converted]The BCA aligned with Crimson Tide Sports Marketing to create “Small Business Game Changer,” a valuable, first-of-its-kind opportunity for a state-based business with 50 or fewer employees to gain significant exposure among a passionate, loyal fan base. Beginning September 1, businesses can register online at www.bcatoday.org/RollTide. The eligibility period will be open until 5 p.m. CST on Jan. 29, 2016, and businesses must be members in good standing with the BCA. The online entry process will require the business to submit in 150 words or less why a 2016 Alabama football sponsorship would be a game-changer for their small business.

The company awarded the sponsorship will be notified March 1, 2016, and announced during the 2016 Spring Game. A panel of judges will review the applications blindly on the creativity, originality, and values and principles expressed in the 150-word entry. The panel will consist of the current chairman of the Business Council of Alabama; the Business Council of Alabama Small Business Committee chair(s); a representative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; a representative of the National Association of Manufacturers; and the current chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.

A full slate of corporate partner benefits will be activated for the selected business during the 2016 football season, including hospitality, game tickets, in-venue logo recognition, and exposure through the gameday publications and Crimson Tide Radio Network.

“Small businesses are the economic engine of Alabama,” said Business Council of Alabama President and CEO William J. Canary. “The Business Council of Alabama recognizes that small businesses provide the majority of jobs for Alabamians, and the Business Council of Alabama stands in the gap every day on behalf of small business men and women.”

Canary added, “A University of Alabama season football sponsorship is a game-changer for a small business and is just another way the Business Council of Alabama provides small businesses a voice and the recognition they deserve.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to expose a deserving Alabama small business to fans and the campus community through association with Alabama football,” said Jim Carabin, general manager for Crimson Tide Sports Marketing, a Learfield Sports’ property and Alabama Athletics’ exclusive sports marketing partner. “We’re grateful to the Business Council of Alabama for graciously extending this offer and working closely with us to bring it to life. It will bring huge visibility to one company, and we encourage all applicable small businesses to register.”CTSMlogo

In addition to the University of Alabama, Learfield Sports manages the multimedia rights for more than 100 collegiate properties and titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup with award co-founders NACDA and USA Today. Learfield represents collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas for their respective multimedia rights and sponsorship initiatives, and offers these partners with professional concessions and ticket sales, licensing and trademark consulting, digital platform expertise and venue and technology systems through its owned companies. To learn more, visit www.learfieldsports.com.

“Small Business Game Changer” is open only to small businesses located in the state of Alabama that are BCA members in good standing. Further eligibility restrictions apply. Contest is void where prohibited by law. Contest begins on Sept. 1, 2015 and ends at 5:00 p.m. CST on Jan. 29, 2016. For complete contest rules, please visit www.bcatoday.org/RollTide.