The National Mango Board (NMB) has announced an exciting enhancement to its partnership with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Athletics, marking a significant milestone in their ongoing collaboration.
For the 2024-2025 season, the NMB will be sponsoring all home games for Ole Miss football and basketball, a move that aims to bring the health benefits and delightful taste of mangoes to a broader audience.
This partnership kicks off on September 7, 2024, with the Ole Miss vs. Middle Tennessee State football game, where the NMB will serve as the official game sponsor.
This expanded collaboration underscores the NMB’s mission to promote the nutritional value and deliciousness of mangoes through the dynamic environment of collegiate sports.
Fans attending the games can look forward to a season rich with activities, engaging promotions, and multiple opportunities to sample mangoes at select home games, making their game-day experience even more enjoyable.
Dan Spellman, director of marketing for the National Mango Board, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are looking forward to kicking off our partnership with Ole Miss Athletics, extending our support to all football and basketball home games for the 2024-2025 season.
This collaboration allows us to celebrate the joy of mango with an even larger audience.
We look forward to engaging with the Ole Miss community, enhancing their game-day experiences with our refreshing fruit. Hotty Toddy!”
The sponsorship will feature various promotional activities throughout the football and basketball seasons, aimed at raising awareness about the versatility and health benefits of mangoes.
Unique mango-themed experiences will be offered at each home game, ensuring that visits to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and the SBJ Pavilion at Ole Miss are memorable for fans, students, and athletes alike.
Chris Helsel, general manager of Ole Miss Sports Properties, expressed his enthusiasm about the expanded partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with the National Mango Board to include all home games for both football and basketball.
Their dedication to promoting healthy living aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to a successful partnership that benefits our fans and student-athletes throughout the entire season.”
The Ole Miss Athletics sponsorship agreements are managed by Ole Miss Sports Properties, the local team of Learfield, a media and technology company that powers college athletics.
Learfield’s deep data set and industry relationships help drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands and sports properties.
The NMB’s involvement in Ole Miss sports is a part of their broader effort to transition mangoes from being seen as an exotic fruit to becoming a staple in every U.S. household.
Through various digital and physical platforms, the NMB aims to drive awareness and increase consumption of mangoes nationwide.
Learfield, the company managing the sponsorship, has a significant presence in college sports, partnering with over 1,200 collegiate institutions and 12,000 local and national brands.
They provide solutions for a comprehensive fan experience, including licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, custom content, marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms.
Since 2008, Learfield has also been the title sponsor for the Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
The National Mango Board, funded by assessments from both domestic and imported fresh mangoes, continues to push forward its vision of making mangoes a daily necessity in U.S. households.
