Key facts
- Citi is receiving numerous internal requests for tickets to the Knicks' NBA Finals games.
- The Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
- Citi uses its suite and season tickets for client hospitality.
- Access to these tickets is seen as valuable for securing and solidifying client relationships.
- The cheapest pair of tickets for Game 3 was selling for around $8,500 each on StubHub.
Citi is experiencing a significant influx of internal requests for tickets to the New York Knicks' NBA Finals games, marking the team's first appearance in the finals since 1999. Tom Cerasoli, Citi's head of sponsorship and partnership management, is responsible for fielding these requests. The bank utilizes its suite and season tickets, which typically provide 30 to 40 seats per game, to offer client hospitality. Cerasoli helped secure over 100 tickets for the finals, recognizing the value of these events in strengthening relationships with current and prospective clients. The demand for tickets is exceptionally high, with the cheapest pair for Game 3 selling for approximately $8,500 each on StubHub. While measuring the exact return on investment for such hospitality experiences is challenging, Cerasoli views them as opportunities to create memorable experiences for clients and potentially drive commercial outcomes.