Ride-sharing company Uber has further expanded its sports portfolio through its partnership with Buffalo, New York-based holding company Pegula Sports and Entertainment.
The agreement makes Uber the official ride-sharing partner of NFL American football team Buffalo Bills, NHL ice hockey franchise Buffalo Sabres and NLL lacrosse outfit Buffalo Bandits.
The My One Buffalo mobile application is looking to fully integrate Uber into its system, and already provides ticket management features.
Uber ‘pickup’ and ‘drop-off’ zones will be established at the Bills’ New Era Field, the Sabres’ KeyBank Center and the Bandits’ HarborCenter.
“As soon as ridesharing was legalised in New York State, we enthusiastically initiated discussions to become partners,” said Erica Muhleman, Pegula Sports and Entertainment’s executive vice-president of business development.
“The Bills, Sabres and Bandits share in Uber’s mission of providing reliable, affordable transportation to all community members, while increasing the safety of our roadways through proactively reducing impaired driving. Through our partnership, Uber will have a very positive effect on the guest experience at our venues.”
The Bills will be the first to benefit from the partnership as Uber is also named the official sponsor of the 2017 Buffalo Bills Draft week. The firm will hold special on-demand giveaways for Western New York riders.
Uber is set to provide four tickets to Thursday night’s official Buffalo Bills draft party, along with draft-themed prize packages to the winner. The tickets will also be delivered by Bills hall of fame running back Thurman Thomas in an Uber vehicle.
The company will receive exposure across Pegula Sports and Entertainment digital entities and within New Era Field and KeyBank Center.
“We are honoured to be the official ride-sharing partner of the Buffalo Bills, Sabres and Bandits,” said Josh Mohrer, Uber New York’s general manager. “Together, we will make rides to and from Buffalo sporting events and concerts even more efficient and seamless, build upon Upstate’s economic revitalisation, and reduce drunk driving.”
Recently, Uber partnered with Major League Baseball franchise the Detroit Tigers, and in January the Atlanta Braves struck a deal to ease traffic congestion at its new ballpark.
Uber has also teamed up with several other sports franchises this year, including NHL team the Nashville Predators, NBA basketball outfit the Cleveland Cavaliers and English Premier League football club Manchester United.
Image: Mark Warner
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