ESPN Signs Vivid Seats as New Official Ticket Provider Across ESPN's Digital Platforms

NEW YORK and CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ESPN is joining forces with leading online ticket marketplace Vivid Seats to provide fans access to Vivid Seats' ticket services. Starting today, Vivid Seats' branding, links and promotions will be seamlessly integrated across all ESPN's digital platforms allowing users to conveniently access and purchase tickets to their favorite sporting events. Together, ESPN and Vivid Seats will ensure sports fans nationwide have an industry-leading ticket buying experience.

"Vivid Seats' dedication and prioritization to serve sports fans fits well with ESPN's long-standing mission," said Eric Johnson, executive vice president, global advertising revenue and sales operations. "This deal represents a true collaboration in which both sides have agreed to regularly share key metrics in an effort to collectively learn, make adjustments if necessary and ultimately maximize performance."

"At Vivid Seats we are laser-focused on providing a best-in-class experience for our customers," said Eric Vassilatos, co-founder of Chicago-based Vivid Seats. "We are excited to work with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, to broaden our reach and directly offer their more than 110 million monthly visitors a safe and easy way to buy tickets to a wide range of sporting events."

ESPN joins Vivid Seats' elite list of more than 50 ticketing relationships across sports and entertainment, including industry leaders such as the Chicago Bears, the Big Ten Conference, Notre Dame and the Pac-12 Conference. Confirmed sales through ESPN will be backed by the Vivid Seats Buyer Guarantee ensuring authentic tickets to fans or their money back.    

In 2016, no digital sports brand in the world reached a greater number of global sports fans than ESPN. Throughout the year, ESPN remained No. 1 in the digital sports category for average minute audience, total minutes and total visits, with an average of more than 110 million unique users per month, peaking at 136 million in September. ESPN accounted for 29% of all sports usage across digital platforms – more than the Nos. 2 and 3 sports properties combined.

About Vivid Seats  
Vivid Seats is the largest independent secondary marketplace for tickets to live sports, concert and theater events. Founded in 2001, the Chicago-based company offers industry-leading affordability across one of the widest selections of premium tickets and event packages. Vivid Seats supports all confirmed orders with a 100% Buyer Guarantee and an in-house customer service team to ensure the safest and most convenient purchase experience. Fans that want to sit closer and see more of their favorite live events can order directly on vividseats.com or by phone at 866.848.8499.

About ESPN
ESPN, the world's leading sports entertainment company, features more than 50 assets – eight U.S. television networks, ESPN International, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by The Hearst Corporation.

SOURCE Vivid Seats

Related Links

https://www.vividseats.com