THE The New Orleans Pelicans Pelicans fans have been working hard this summer to market and promote the franchise. Their latest initiative is a collaboration with Kessler Federal Credit Union. Pelicans fans can now get an official debit card, offering them exclusive benefits.
Kessler Federal is the largest credit union with assets exceeding $4 billion. Headquartered in Mississippi, Kessler Federal has more than 320,000 members, including 41 locations throughout coastal and central Mississippi, the New Orleans metropolitan area and Mobile, Alabama.
“These official New Orleans Pelicans debit cards are just the beginning of our exciting new partnership with the franchise,” said Andrew Swoger, president and CEO of Keesler Federal. “We are known for delivering exceptional rewards and value to our members, and these cards do just that.”
By purchasing this debit card, Pelicans fans receive a 25% discount on individual game tickets through SeatGeek.com and a 25% discount on merchandise at the Pelicans Team Store at Smoothie King Center. Cardholders also have access to pre-sale opportunities for concerts and events at Smoothie King Center and have the chance to win VIP Pelicans fan experiences.
New Orleans is working to expand its reach and visibility. Earlier this summer, the team reached an agreement multi-year agreement with Gray Television to broadcast about 70 of the 82 regular-season games. They dropped Bally Sports, whose parent company Diamond Sports filed for bankruptcy this year.
The new deal will allow the Pelicans to see their basketball games all along the Gulf Coast, from New Orleans to Baton Rouge to Biloxi to Mississippi and all the way to Alabama. Gray Television is one of the largest owners of local television stations in the country. The Pelicans already experimented with it last season by broadcasting seven regular-season games. Nielsen ratings were up 260 percent over Bally Sports’ ratings.
Earlier this year, the Pelicans, Saints agree to new multi-year deal with WWL Radio. Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin sees this as an opportunity to grow the Pels’ fan base. “As we continue to grow the Pelicans brand throughout the region, this partnership with WWL will amplify our efforts to bring high-quality, engaging basketball conversations to a broader audience.”
The Pelicans are also looking to improve on the court this season. They are coming off a 49-win season last year, the second-longest in franchise history. They acquired Dejounte Murray this offseason, and he, along with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, form one of the most talented teams in the Western Conference.
Head coach Willie Green has improved his win total with the team every year since he took over in New Orleans. The Pelicans have made the playoffs twice in the three years since Green took over, but they haven’t advanced past the first round since 2018.
