In addition to its affiliations with the New York Rangers (hockey), New York Islanders (hockey), New York Cosmos (soccer) and the New York Lizards (lacrosse), the Flushing, N.Y.-based Northwell Health announced a partnership with the New York Mets earlier this year.
Don Simon, the health system’s vice president of integrated marketing, told HHN that using high-profile sports teams is one way to “reach people efficiently and in as many venues as possible.”
Various other hospitals and health systems are recognizing the importance of professional sports-related affiliations: St. Temple, Texas-based Baylor Scott & White Health and Columbia, Md.-based MedStar Health partnered with the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens/Orioles, respectively, to spread the word about their diverse facilities and services.
But the trend isn’t popular with everyone. Opponents and critics say image-building advertising doesn’t provide useful information to patients.
More issues about transactions and valuations:
Ministry Door County Medical Center, Hospital Sisters Health System pursue formal partnership
NYU Langone, Winthrop-University Hospital to begin merger talks
