Brief
NBC Sports launches comic‑book campaign featuring NBA stars for 2026‑27 season
The limited‑run comic, titled “Tip Off,” spotlights LeBron James, Stephen Curry and other stars as superheroes ahead of the new NBA season.
By Felo News Desk · Published
NBC Sports is marketing the start of the 2026‑27 NBA season by turning a roster of league stars into comic‑book superheroes.
What happened
The campaign, called “Tip Off,” will be released alongside the regular‑season opener on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when NBC and Peacock broadcast a three‑game triple‑header: the Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons at 3 p.m. ET, the Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks at 7 p.m. ET, and the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET.
What the reports add
Adweek notes that the idea emerged during the post‑2025‑26 Finals marketing sprint, with senior vice president of sports marketing Lyndsay Signor saying the superhero angle repeatedly surfaced during ideation. Veteran comic artists were hired to illustrate the characters, and veteran broadcaster Mike Tirico will narrate the comic.
What was said
"The start of the NBA season is one of the most exciting moments on the sports calendar, and this campaign gives us a unique way to celebrate it with fans of all 30 teams," Signor told Adweek.
How it came about
The activation follows NBC Sports' first‑year effort to reconnect with NBA fans through nostalgia, and builds on the network's broader push to blend entertainment formats with sports coverage.
Key facts
- NBC Sports is turning NBA stars into comic‑book heroes for the 2026‑27 season (adweek.com)
- The comic is titled “Tip Off” and will debut with the Oct. 20 triple‑header (adweek.com)
- Featured athletes include LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (adweek.com)
- Mike Tirico will narrate the comic, and veteran artists created the illustrations (adweek.com)
- Lyndsay Signor, senior vice president of sports marketing at Universal Television Entertainment Group, said the campaign celebrates the season start (adweek.com)
Sources
- [1] adweek.com — originally reported as “NBC Sports Turns NBA Athletes Into Comic Book Heroes for a Super Second Season”
