Television ads during professional football games have become increasingly pivotal as presidential candidates fight for the hearts and minds of voters. This trend is noticeably heating up as the 2024 election approaches, especially with pivotal games featuring iconic teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers serving as backdrops for campaign messages. Both major political parties are seizing the opportunity to reach millions of viewers tuning in for America’s favorite sport.
On the last weekend before the election, the Trump and Harris campaigns are strategically vying for attention during NFL broadcasts. Former President Donald Trump’s campaign is airing his latest ad called "Never Quit" during the Philadelphia Eagles game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This two-minute spot highlights Trump’s economic achievements, criticizing the Biden administration's handling of inflation and the situation at the southern border.
The ad begins dramatically with footage of Trump at past rallies, including moments where he urges his supporters to keep fighting for America. Trump emphasizes his commitment by stating, "I will fight for you with every breath and I will never let you down." Notably, the ad is less about local issues and more about national themes, blending snippets from speeches and rallies with Trump’s voiceover reinforcing familiar Republican talking points.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign is not holding back either. With their ad titled "Philly vs. Trump", they incorporate memorable moments from past debates, such as Trump’s controversial remarks stating, “Bad things happen in Philadelphia.” The ad's message is clear: it aims to mobilize the city’s pride against Trump’s comments, showcasing Harris's rallying cry, "When it’s about freedom, Philly is undefeated!" This assertive messaging resonates strongly with the local audience who treasure their city’s identity.
The Harris campaign is also addressing younger voters more directly. Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, who is Harris's running mate, is set to face off against U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) live on Twitch playing Madden NFL. This move symbolizes the campaign’s recognition of the growing influence of digital platforms on young voters, presenting them with familiar faces and relatable content.
Not to be outdone, the Harris campaign has also crafted additional ads aimed at Steelers fans. One advertisement, titled "Yinzer," features Chris, a self-proclaimed diehard Steelers supporter who takes aim at Trump’s privilege, stating bluntly, "He’s just a little rich kid. How is he relatable to me?" This approach emphasizes the campaign's effort to connect on deeply personal and regional levels, painting Trump as out-of-touch with the working-class Pennsylvanian.
For both campaigns, reaching voters through football isn’t merely about the screen time; it is about the narratives each candidate is weaving to create emotional ties with potential voters. This strategy is not new but has intensified as both parties comprehend the sheer volume of viewers sports attract – especially during pivotal games.
Beyond just ads on television, the campaigns have embarked on creative and eye-catching components to bolster their presence, including airplane flyovers and billboards aimed directly at redirecting attention toward their representatives and away from Trump’s past. For example, during Trump's attendance at the Steelers game the previous week, the Democratic National Committee took the opportunity to display significant criticism against him via billboards outside of Acrisure Stadium, which makes hitting the negative messaging hard to ignore.
This unique play to incorporate pop culture elements and personal stories demonstrates each candidate’s need to humanize themselves and their platforms, constructing connections to viewers’ daily lives. Recognizing the urgency of voter engagement, spending on these ads can easily top millions for just one airing, underscoring the colossal financial investments at stake.
The 2024 election is not merely about the platforms but also about the theatrics. Football games set the stage for candidates to reach wider audiences than town halls and traditional campaigning often can. While candidates once relied heavily on large rallies and grassroots efforts, tapping cultural phenomena like the NFL ensures their messages capture broader attention.
The outcome of these high-stakes strategies will reveal just how effective they are on the day of the election. Will voters rally behind the narratives crafted through powerful visuals and emotional resonance, or will they align themselves more with the traditional bases of each party? It’s becoming clear; whether it’s ads during football games or rappelling off buildings for attention, the race for the White House is going to be anything but dull this season.
Looking forward to Election Day, what's more intriguing is how voters will respond to these ad campaigns and whether the blend of grassroots and digital engagement through gaming and sports can sway final votes. With both sides heavily invested, the coming weeks promise to be filled with innovative approaches and possibly surprising results.
