Ideas for Football-Themed Ballot Promotions

by Julie Foley Second Street

Player of the Week

Football Player of the Week

A Player of the Week ballot allows your audience to determine weekly MVPs for a variety of football positions. It’s also a great way to make a ballot campaign last all season long.

Player of the Week ballots work particularly well for high school football. This is because your audience will be even more invested in the voting process if they know the athletes personally. In addition, these ballots work for pro or college teams. If you already have an Athlete of the Week special feature in print or on air, this ballot type would be a great way to complement and expand your existing initiative.

Pre-seed your ballot, but also allow write-in votes to encourage maximum engagement.

Categories to Include for a High School Player of the Week Ballot:

  • Quarterback of the Week
  • Running back of the Week
  • MVP of the Week
  • Team of the Week
  • Play of the Week
  • Special Teams Player of the Week
  • Game of the Week
  • Defensive Player of the Week
  • Offensive Player of the Week
  • Coach of the Week
  • Band of the Week
  • Cheerleader of the Week
  • Most School Spirit
  • Mascot of the Week

Categories to Include for a College or Pro Football Player of the Week Ballot:

  • Quarterback of the Week
  • Running back of the Week
  • MVP of the Week
  • Team of the Week
  • Play of the Week
  • Special Teams Player of the Week
  • Game of the Week
  • Defensive Player of the Week
  • Offensive Player of the Week
  • Coach of the Week

When to Run: Your Player of the Week ballot should run the entire length of the football season. If the team(s) you focus on make it to the playoffs, you have the option to extend your ballot promotion even further!

Pick Your All-Star Team

Pick Your All Star Team

An All-Star ballot is very similar to the Player of the Week ballot described above. In fact, the two can easily be combined. Run a Player of the Week ballot throughout the season and then cap off the promotion with an All-Star ballot to determine the top players of the year. The advantage? More revenue for you and more exposure for your sponsors.

Groups and Categories to Include: Use the same categories listed above.

When to Run: At the end of the season, wrap up your season-long Player of the Week with a 2-week All-Star ballot.

Sportsmanship Awards

sportsmanship awards

Sportsmanship awards are the perfect opportunity to strengthen community bonds and shed light on those who elevate the integrity of the sport. Communities love giving attention to those who love the game, and this is a strong-hearted ballot that any advertiser would love to be a part of.

Categories to Include In Your Ballot:

  • Heart and Desire Award
  • Courage Award
  • Comeback Player of the Year

Ultimate Fan Ballot

This ballot covers every aspect of being a dedicated football fan, including where to go to watch the games and favorite memories from past seasons. For this type of ballot, be sure to give local advertisers included on the ballot the opportunity to purchase a category sponsorship or upgraded listing!

While college and pro football ballots are typically about one team, high school football ballots can encompass all the high schools in your market.

Groups and Categories to Include in a High School Football Fan Ballot:

Memories

  • Favorite Home Game Memories
  • Favorite Away Game Memories
  • Favorite Traditions
Leadership

  • Best Coach of All Time
  • Best Athletic Director of All Time
  • Best Football Program (by Class)
  • Best Private School Football Program
Teams & Players

  • Best Championship Team of All Time
  • Best Offensive Player
  • Best Defensive Player
Pre- & Post-Game

  • Best Place to Eat before the Game
  • Best Place to Celebrate a Victory
Spirit

  • Favorite Song
  • Favorite Chant
  • Favorite Cheer
  • Best Band
  • Best Team Uniform
  • Most Spirited Student
  • Best Student Section
  • Best Supporter of School Sports (Business)

Groups and Categories to Include in a College Football Fan Ballot:

Teams & Players

  • Best Championship Team of All Time
  • Best Offensive Player
  • Best Defensive Player
Leadership

  • Best Coach of All Time
  • Best Athletic Director of All Time
Memories

  • Favorite Home Game Memories
  • Favorite Away Game Memories
  • Favorite Traditions
Tailgates

  • Best Spot
  • Favorite Tailgate Food
  • Favorite Tailgate Drink
  • Favorite Tailgate Accessories
Pre-& Post-Game

  • Best Place to Watch a Home Game
  • Best Place to Watch an Away Game
  • Best Place to Stay during Football Weekends
  • Best Place to Eat before the Game
  • Best Place to Celebrate a Victory
Spirit

  • Favorite Song
  • Favorite Chant
  • Favorite Cheer
  • Best Band
  • Best Team Uniform
  • Best Student Section
  • Best Supporter of School Sports (Business)

Groups and Categories to Include in a Pro Football Fan Ballot:

Teams & Players

  • Best Championship Team of All Time
  • Best Offensive Player
  • Best Defensive Player
Leadership

  • Best Coach of All Time
  • Best Athletic Director of All Time
Memories

  • Favorite Home Game Memories
  • Favorite Away Game Memories
  • Favorite Tradition
Pre- & Post-Game

  • Best Place to Watch a Home Game
  • Best Place to Watch an Away Game
  • Best Place to Eat before the Game
  • Best Place to Celebrate a Victory
Spirit

  • Favorite Song
  • Favorite Chant
  • Favorite Cheer

When to Run: This ballot could run either prior to the start of the season to get people excited about football in preparation for upcoming promotions, or during the season to encourage additional engagement.

To learn more about how to sell these promotions, check out this ultimate guide to planning your promotions for football season and this list of advertisers to target for football promotions.

There are a wealth of opportunities for football promotions, and the way to make sure you’re making the most of the season is to run multiple promotions throughout.

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