FOX Sports Unveils ‘Striker, The U.S. Soccer Star’ Balloonicle to Debut in 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®
Iconic Balloonicle Celebrates FOX Sports’ Presentation of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ on the Eve of Anticipated Matchup between U.S. Men’s National Team and England on Black Friday on FOX
LOS ANGELES – Today, FOX Sports, America’s English language home for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ unveiled its Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® balloon element in the form of Striker, the U.S. Soccer Star. Going toe-to-toe with New York City’s skyscrapers in stars and stripes, this awe-inspiring creation celebrates the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) returning to the tournament taking place Nov. 20 – Dec. 18 across FOX Sports’ platforms. The balloonicle debuts on the eve of the must-see Black Friday matchup between the USMNT and England (2 PM ET) on FOX.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the FIFA World Cup™ have each existed since the early 1900s, both steeped in beloved tradition. Measuring 25-feet long, 25-feet tall, and 10-feet wide, this completely unique Parade addition is both a “balloonicle” (a Macy’s Parade hybrid vehicle and cold-air inflatable balloon) and string of helium balloons expertly strung together to create a bicycle kick, one of the most iconic maneuvers in soccer. The resulting creation perfectly emulates the physical skill players possess in celebration of the FIFA World Cup™. After all, both holidays and sports have the power to unite people. As this is the first time the FIFA World Cup™ will take place during the holiday season, Striker gives sports fans a pop culture moment to cheer for alongside friends and family.
Whit Haskel, Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing, FOX Sports, shared his enthusiasm for its presence in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade stating, “For decades, the FIFA World Cup and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade have brought smiles to countless people across the globe. FOX Sports is proud to call-in Striker, the U.S. Soccer Star, to celebrate the beautiful game with fans around the world this holiday season.”
“Like the anticipation on Parade morning in New York City, the energy that is felt across the world in a FIFA World Cup year is unmatched,” said Jordan Dabby, producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “We are thrilled to work with FOX Sports on this dynamic balloon element, recreating that excitement at the 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
The collaboration is a celebratory moment for FOX Sports and is part of the larger activation of creative activations amplifying the network’s on-going ‘Tis the FIFA World Cup marketing campaign. Components include star-studded TV spots featuring Jon Hamm, Tom Brady, Mariah Carey, Ellie Kemper, USMNT players Christian Pulisic, Walker Zimmerman, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Jesús Ferreira, and Yunus Musah; out-of-home holiday-themed posters featuring international soccer stars in key cities, life-size snow globe pop-ups of USMNT players traveling the country and more.
From Sunday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 18, FOX Sports will present all 64 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 TM matches live across FOX and FS1 with every match live streaming on the FOX Sports app. Breakfast, lunch and winners: 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM ET start times for the month-long frenzy of matches will provide fans with a new morning routine through the Round of 16.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide in the U.S. on NBC and stream on Peacock on Thursday, Nov. 24 from 9 AM – 12 PM in all time zones.
About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing FOX Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, the business has ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes. FOX Sports’ digital properties include FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App, which provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content, instant scores, stats and alerts to iOS and Android devices. Additionally, FOX Sports and social broadcasting platform Caffeine jointly own Caffeine Studios which creates exclusive eSports, sports and live entertainment content. Also included in FOX Sports’ portfolio are FOX’s interests in joint-venture business Big Ten Network, a licensing and commercial relationship with The Stars Group that created the FOX Bet sports betting platform and the FOX Bet Super 6 free-to-play game, as well as a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.
About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For more than 90 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade features Macy’s signature giant character balloons, fabulous floats, incredible marching bands, celebrities, clowns, dance and performance groups, and the one and only Santa Claus, spreading holiday cheer. For more information on the Macy’s Parade, please visit www.macys.com/parade.
