Southwest Airlines has announced a new, multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and SEC Network, officially launching on July 1. As the “Official Airline of the SEC,” Southwest will spotlight the athletic achievements in SEC football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, gymnastics, and women’s soccer.
To celebrate this partnership, Southwest is hosting the Flex Your Fandom Sweepstakes, giving fans the chance to win an MVP treatment with an ultimate getaway to the SEC Football Championship. Additionally, the airline will later host more sweepstakes throughout the year, offering prizes such as packages to the SEC Basketball Championship tournament and an unforgettable summer getaway experience.
“Southwest Airlines is proud to be joining the SEC roster as the airline of choice and getting sports fanatics to their favorite games with ease,” said Jennifer Bridie, Vice President Marketing Communications & Strategy at Southwest Airlines. “SEC fans have been flying with us for decades, checking two free bags2 of gear, rescheduling road games without fees3, and saving flight credits for the year their team finally makes it to the championship. With this unique sponsorship, we’re giving fans more flexibility to join the action as they root for their favorite teams and bringing them new opportunities throughout the season to get to know the Southwest Brand even better.”
Southwest Airlines has introduced new travel options for college football fans eager to support their favorite teams at some of the season’s biggest games. The airline has added new routes and increased service for several key SEC matchups, including USC vs. LSU in the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Alabama at Wisconsin in Week 3, Tennessee at Oklahoma in Week 4, and Georgia at Texas in Week 8.
“With unmatched reach year-round, Disney is where the fans are, across all sports and platforms, all the time. When it comes to sports, we’re in a league of our own,” said Becca Vodnoy, SVP of Sales, Disney Advertising. “With Southwest Airlines as the new Official Airline of the Southeastern Conference, we’re bringing passionate SEC fans everywhere closer to the action.”
The sponsorship includes integrating Southwest Airlines® into SEC Network programming and throughout the SEC footprint via SEC Nation, the network’s traveling football pre-game show. Southwest will also have on-site activations at SEC FanFare during the football championship in Atlanta and will be present at other major SEC championship events, including women’s and men’s basketball tournaments.
“The SEC is pleased Southwest Airlines has joined our official sponsor program,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “The SEC sponsor program is important to the mission of supporting our now 16 institutions and Southwest Airlines makes stronger an already robust family of sponsors for the Conference. We look forward to Southwest Airlines’ participation in our programming and championship events.”
Even while in the air, SEC fans can catch select matchups throughout the year through the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal, which offers free Live TV channels, including ESPN and ABC. Additionally, the airline plans to delight customers with surprise pop-up activations on flights, featuring giveaways and fun moments as fans travel. Starting this college football season, Southwest will also activate content across SEC Network’s linear, streaming, and social platforms. SEC Network and ESPN on-air personality Marty Smith will be featured in Southwest’s social media campaign, with his first spot debuting on launch day, Thursday, July 11.
