- Novartis has teamed up with the National Football League to be the first-ever corporate pharmaceutical partner of the NFL.
- The exclusive partnership aims to empower football fans everywhere to make proactive decisions about their health, better understand screening guidelines and create a playbook for a healthier future.
- Novartis will also serve as the league’s presenting partner for the upcoming Health and Safety Summit, Pro Football Hall of Fame Game and Hall of Fame Class Presentation at NFL Honors, and the company will support My Cause My Cleats through storytelling around players and the causes most important to them. Novartis will also activate at the 2025 NFL Draft, Super Bowl LX and other special events throughout the season.
The NFL has numerous official sponsors across categories including: the official car sponsor (Toyota), the official pizza sponsor (Little Caesars), the official delivery services sponsor and the official locker room products sponsor (P&G) and many more, so it makes sense for the league to expand and create a category for pharmaceuticals.
Novartis ran a Super Bowl ad this year with a spot building awareness around the importance of getting screened to prevent bad outcomes with breast cancer. The spot starred Hailee Steinfeld and Wanda Sykes and encouraged routine screenings.
The Novartis partnership will support the Crucial Catch, the NFL’s ongoing initiative with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to promote cancer awareness, early detection and risk reduction. Novartis will join the league and ACS in their commitment to support detection in under-resourced communities.
“At the heart of this first-of-its-kind partnership is the ambition to educate and mobilize communities to detect cancer and other diseases early, broadening health solutions beyond medicine,” said Victor Bultó, President US, Novartis, in a statement, shared with Brand Innovators. “With its nationwide fan base and demonstrated commitment to health advocacy, the NFL is a powerful partner for igniting critical health conversations at an unmatched scale. Together, Novartis and the NFL are working toward leveling the playing field against serious health conditions, empowering every fan to proactively manage their health.”
