Marketing in Pro Sports

In the U.S. professional sports are sought out to be Americas past time and a major important piece of our cultural experience. with sports fans in every single state its only right that companies market themselves through sports teams and organizations. If you have ever been to Fenway Park or any sports stadium in that matter its obvious that these places are the mecca of advertisements. with so much exposure of major media and television, its only logical to try and make a deal with a major sports team. Jay-Z for example, is a hip hop star who uses all of the New York Sports teams to promote himself and his music.

What are other ways in which companies can market themselves through professional sports?

response to Kendra and Sean: Brands

today, there are thousands of products and thousands of different brands. so how do you choose just one? Branding is a major part of selling and customers will buy products based on brands they have preferred in the past. Kendra and Sean made a good point about how MacDonald s has become one of the largest known brands in the world today. the main reason for this is the fact they sell fast food that people enjoy for a very small price. i personally have bought cheaper items with no name brand that turn out to be perfectly fine, but most consumers are tricked into buying products with the most reputable brand. 

so What is the main reason people are loyal to brands?