NBA Lifts Ban on Courtside Liquor Advertising

The NBA has reversed a ban on courtside liquor advertising in an effort to increase revenue during the recession.

The ban, first implemented in 1991 prohibited advertising of spirits anywhere in camera shot on court, although teams have been able to take sponsorship from liquor companies for off camera positions, such as concourse spaces and bars. Notably the ban was only applicable to spirits, not beer.

The NBA is also crafting policies that could allow teams to offer hard liquor advertising on team Web sites, point-of-sale retail locations or in-arena promotions according to Sport Business Journal.

The move follows decisions by Major League Baseball, the NHL and NASCAR to lift similar bans.