Top 40 firm BDA (asi/137616) isn’t just a big deal in promo; the industry’s sixth-largest distributorship is winning accolades in the sports world, too.

The Sports Business Journal has named the Woodinville, WA-headquartered company one of the Best Places to Work in Sports for 2023 – a list just announced.

Jay Deutsch, BDA (asi/137616)

BDA was among the top three companies in its size and category, earning medalist honors in the “Professional Services: 50 or more employees” competition.

BDA began life as a sports marketing agency. The firm, which operates globally with offices also in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, serves a bevy of household-name clients in the sports market, including Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, UEFA Euro, NASCAR, FIFA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

“This accolade recognizes our collaborative spirit and reaffirms our commitment to help our incredible sports partners extend their fan connections, community support and build brand loyalty outside of gameday and beyond the season via branded merchandise, sponsorship engagements and special projects,” said Steve Avanessian, BDA’s executive vice president of client services, sports.

BDA CEO Jay Deutsch, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people, added: “This award reflects our team’s countless contributions to developing and creating the most impactful products and tailored solutions for our trusted partners’ unique needs.”

This was the Sports Business Journal’s inaugural Best Places to Work in Sports rankings. The list honored 75 businesses. The honorees represent industry segments that cover the spectrum of sports, from major league teams to behind-the-scenes companies, the publication noted. SBJ assessed businesses based on factors such as compensation, benefits, confidence in co-workers and trust in senior leadership.

New Berlin, WI-based GMR Marketing (asi/200143), a firm with a footprint in promo whose primary business is event and experiential marketing and activation across digital and social media, also earned a spot on the SBJ list. The company works with clients in the sports, music and entertainment fields.

“We are thrilled to be honored amongst companies across the sports landscape who demonstrate leadership and unwavering commitment to their employees,” GMR shared in a LinkedIn Post.

Based on reported 2022 North American promotional product revenue of $422.2 million, BDA ranked sixth on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry.