Latest from the blog.
Athletes vs Social Media Influencers: Who Wins the Marketing War?
In 1905, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner became the first athlete to publicly endorse a sports product. The company paid Wagner $75 to use their signature bat in games. Recently, there has been a significant shift in how brands approach sponsorship marketing. Rather than relying solely on traditional advertising methods, many brands have begun to
2023 World Baseball Classic Preview
After a six-year pandemic-induced hiatus, baseball’s international championship returns this March. The 2023 World Baseball Classic is baseball’s version of the World Cup with 20 countries competing to be crowned world champions. The 20 qualifying countries will begin in competition in pool play. There are four pools consisting of five teams each, where the top
Should Transgender Athletes Compete in Women’s Sports?
The 1977 US Open was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Queens, New York, and ran from August 29 to September 11. Among the lineup of female athletes competing in the two-week tournament was 43-year-old Renée Richards, the first professional athlete to identify as transgender. Two years prior, Richards, who grew up as
WWE Embraces an Uncertain New Era
WWE has been around since 1953 and has experienced nearly as many eras as America itself. In the ’80s, WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan ushered in its Golden Era. Figureheads like Stone Cold Steve Austin led its late ’90s Attitude Era. Ruthless Aggression followed in the early 2000s with tragic figure Chris Benoit at the helm.
2023 Super Bowl Commercials: The Reward is in the Risk
The Super Bowl is a perfect example of how great of an impact brand advertising has on sports. While advertisers typically struggle to hold an audience, the Super Bowl is their once-a-year jackpot. Brands that secure an ad spot will net a massive audience who is genuinely invested in the commercials’ entertainment value. Super Bowl
Sportsbooks Spending Billions Yearly On Marketing
If you’ve watched a sports game recently, you’ve probably watched a sportsbook advertisement, too. What started with sportsbooks running commercials during games has evolved into massive partnerships with leagues, teams, and even players. The sports betting industry is changing the sports landscape by bringing fans new ways to watch the game. As these companies continue
How the NIL has Broadened Horizons for Elite Gymnasts
Before the NCAA’s 2021 NIL ruling, elite gymnasts were forced to choose between training for the Olympics and competing at a collegiate level. Now that athletes can be compensated for their name, image, and likeness, talented athletes who have dedicated most of their lives to gymnastics can finally partake in both. In addition to eliminating
Social Media for Athletes: Balancing Performance with Personal Brand
Athlete Social Media Strategy Starts With Performance Much has changed since the 80s, when John McEnroe never lost sleep over internet trolls, and Michael Jordan never agonized over an unflattering Instagram Reel. It’s 2023 now, and for better or worse, the media landscape has changed dramatically. With social media pressure at an all-time high, athletes
Saudi Arabia Investing Billions of Dollars in Sports
Saudi Arabia, with its borders recently opened to tourism, has implemented the Saudi Vision 2030, an economic and social reform blueprint that is opening up the country to the world. The sports industry is one of the vital aspects of Saudi Vision 2030. The country’s idea to pursue sports did not come overnight; it materialized
NFL Playoff Preview
2022-23 NFL Playoff Preview The college football season came to an end this past week, allowing football fans to turn their focus to the upcoming NFL playoffs and Super Bowl LVII. Fans may notice something different about the big game this year, as Apple Music will replace Pepsi as the sponsor of the Super Bowl