Bon Jovi and Elway Promote AFL In Las Vegas Finale
Call it people placement as opposed to product placement.
Arena Football League team owners Jon Bon Jovi and John Elway were in Hollywood last week to tape the season finale of the NBC hit series Las Vegas, and their appearance will be used as an on-air plug for the league’s championship game.
Bon Jovi and Elway will play themselves in the episode, scheduled to air May 23, and are in town to prepare for ArenaBowl XIX. Producers would not confirm whether the show will revolve around the game, which will be played in Las Vegas on June 12 and air live on NBC.
“This didn’t stem from any kind of a marketing deal, but the producers told us they thought Bon Jovi and Elway would make a great part of the storyline,” said Chris McCloskey, a spokesperson for the AFL. “It’s not only a great exposure vehicle for Jon and John, but for the league and their respective teams.”
He said the league is crafting plans to promote their appearance.
It will be the second time this season that the AFL partnered with the NBC show. The duo co-starred with three members of the Las Vegas cast in the mini-movie Rumble in the Montecito, which was in theaters Dec. 3 through Dec. 31 and is used as part of a TV commercial.
In addition, a director’s cut was produced as a bonus feature on the January release of Las Vegas: Season 1 DVD, which contains all 23 episodes including new uncut and uncensored footage.
Rumble in Montecito has Elway, owner of the Colorado Crush, and Bon Jovi, owner of the Philadelphia Soul, challenge each other to an impromptu Arena Football game in the middle of the fictional Montecito casino, the setting for the show Las Vegas.
“Those commercials are the biggest selling point we have and I get a lot of positive feedback,” Bon Jovi said during a conference call last week. “Elway has tried to resist, but Hollywood is calling. It’s just a matter of time. Look out, Brad Pitt.”
