Weird Sponsorships: Philadelphia Eagles joins wings with Angry Birds

OK, time for one of the weirdest yet most original partnerships to have surfaced in previous months. In a bid to appeal to a younger and more digitally savvy generation of football fans, the Philadelphia Eagles football team has struck a deal with Rovio's iconic gaming property Angry Birds.  While the Birds have found their way onto a slew of merchandise, this is the first time they'll be appearing in this unique sporting context.

According to Mashable the deal includes an upcoming Eagles-themed version of the game, social media marketing pushes and Angry Birds themed Jumbotron replays at the stadium.  According to Ari Roitman, the Eagles’ senior vice president of business, the partnership is key in making inroads with new fans who have grown up immersed in digital technology, gadgets and social media.

“We’ve got to think about the generation that’s coming into the prime years for loyalty — who are they going to choose and what are they going to choose more importantly?  Is it going to be football or another form of entertainment. This is very much a play for that younger generation.”

The Eagles are just one of many professional sports teams with avian nicknames and mascots, so don’t be surprised to see more partnerships between Rovio and other franchises.