• January 12, 2009

New York Life, the insurance company, and Chipotle Mexican Grill have signed on as sponsors of the New Jersey Nets NBA team.

As part of its agreement, New York Life will receive advertising on Nets radio broadcasts as well as upper and lower LED signage and television-visible signage at the Izod Center in New Rutherford, N.J.

Chipotle will get television-visible signage; in-game promotions using "Burrito Bucks" giveaway cards for Nets fans; branding of two endzone sections in the arena to be called "Chipotle Loudzones"; and collaboration with the Nets to create a "Chipotle Group Sales Ticket Plan" with free "Burrito Bucks."

Chipotle has 26 locations in Manhattan, and seven in New Jersey, and plans to open 135 to 145 new restaurants nationwide in 2009, including five currently planned for New Jersey.--Karl Greenberg