Expedia Runs Sweeps as NFL Travel Sponsor

Expedia.com is kicking off a multi-year deal as the National Football League travel sponsor with an option play of prizes.

Its first effort is a gridiron goods giveaway dubbed “NFL Mondays”: travelers who book hotel or vacation packages to any league city on Mondays through Dec. 3 can redeem up to $100 in pro football merchandise on http://www.NFLShop.com.

Starting in December, fans who book trips through http://www.expedia.com/nfl will be entered in a sweepstakes to win a trip to the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl or both. The grand-prize winner will go to Super Bowl XLII in Arizona and the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Twenty other winners will win a trip to one of the two games, and 11 daily winners will get gift certificates for merchandise on NFLShop.com.

The post-season sweepstakes runs through early January.

Expedia.com teamed up with the NFL based on a percentage play. Research indicated that 60% of the 170 million self-identified NFL fans nationally are displaced and don’t live in the cities where their favorite teams play, according to Expedia.com spokeswoman Karmen Johnson.

“These are fans who are die-hards and want to experience the game,” Johnson said.

So the merchandise and sweeps incentives are aimed at encouraging people to book trips to see their teams play.

The online travel agent plans to unveil other offers in the NFL-branded section of its site.