Winning ticket: StubHub connects Rams RB Gurley with family for Baltimore homecoming
Todd Gurley has enough on his plate carrying the St. Louis Rams' offense. So the rookie running back wanted no part in trying to procure tickets for family and friends when he returned to his hometown of Baltimore for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
When asked by a reporter earlier in the week how he'd accommodate any ticket requests, Gurley replied: "Stubhub.com, that’s all I’ve got to say."
Gurley's words quickly reached the corporate offices of StubHub, setting the wheels in motion for a marketing home run between the world's largest online ticket marketplace and one of the NFL's elite running backs.
Hey @TG3II, we'd like to help the fam catch your #homecoming. Send us a DM and let's connect. https://t.co/pEnzJFo1oq
— StubHub (@StubHub) November 18, 2015
"We actually saw it on FOXSports.com," StubHub spokesman Cameron Papp said in a phone call Thursday afternoon. "We thought it was really fun. He was calling us out. So we thought, 'Let's reach out to him.' "
StubHub sent a tweet to Gurley offering to help his family attend his homecoming and asking the rookie sensation to respond with a direct message if interested. To the company's surprise and delight, Gurley responded immediately, Papp said.
"The next Adrian Peterson. Let's hook him up," Papp said. "It's an opportunity that doesn't come around that often. ... He's going to be the best player in the NFL, if he's not already. He's calling out our brand. You have to take advantage."
Papp conceded there was one minor concern entering the transaction — "We were worried he was going to say 30 to 40 tickets" — but the former University of Georgia standout requested eight tickets, and the company was able to easily accommodate his request.
Shout out to @Stubhub for hooking my family up with tix for Sunday.#GoRams
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) November 19, 2015
"It's really just something that's spur-of-the-moment," Papp said. "He was really gracious (and said) I'm really glad you could do this."