Despite a losing effort from the Chicago Bulls, Klarna, the official shopping partner of the Chicago Bulls provided fans a post-season VIP playoff experience.
When the DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and the Bulls took on the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday, April 24, the company rewarded fans who purchased playoff game tickets through Klarna with exclusive game-day rewards at the brand’s in-arena Klarna Concierge.
Fans who purchase tickets through Klarna were invited to the Klarna Concierge desk, where they were given an exclusive swag bag to enhance their playoff experience, which will include items like credit to use at Klarna retail partners Foot Locker and exclusive Klarna and Bulls branded merchandise to use on the app. A few lucky fans received signed player jerseys, replica trophies, player autographed books, and more.
The Chicago Bulls and Klarna first announced their multi-year experiential partnership in January. Lavine and Lonzo Ball have also joined in with Klarna in the partnership.
“The Chicago Bulls are one of the most renowned teams in basketball history, and share Klarna’s commitment to challenging the limits of success within culture and commerce,” said David Sandstrom, CMO, Klarna. “Together, we will showcase how brands and teams can align to provide a more meaningful and engaging experience for fans.”
In the future, Klarna and the Bulls will partner for initiatives including exclusive fashion collaborations that are inspired by the franchise’s run of inspiring on and off-the-court attire.
“We’re excited to partner with Klarna to leverage the intersection of sports, fashion and commerce to provide Bulls fans opportunities to engage with our brand in a new way,” said Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President, Revenue & Strategy Matthew Kobe. “Our partnership with Klarna will further the Bulls’ commitment to combining sports and tech to create revolutionary experiences for our fans.”
During Game 4, Giannis Antentokounmpo and Chicago public enemy number one, Grayson Allen, buried the Bulls deep into a 3-1 hole. Antentokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, Allen had 27 points with six 3-pointers, and the Bucks ran away with the game after the first quarter, despite a raucous Chicago crowd and multiple runs from the Bulls.
Zach Lavine led the Bulls with 24 points and 13 assists, DeRozan added in 23, and Patrick Williams added in an important 20-point win and 10 rebounds. In the closing moments of the game, Lavine and former teammate Bobby Portis got involved in a minor scuffle. Lavine dismissed the moment as “old friends catching up.”
Bulls coach Billy Donovan had a message after the game, “There were times where we gave really, really good effort and they still scored. I think there were times we moved the ball and generated pretty good looks for each other and the ball didn’t go in the basket. That, I think, gets deflating. And you could kind of sense that a little bit.”
