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NBA Star's Shoe Deal Terminated after Twitter Post

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NBA Star's Shoe Deal Terminated after Twitter Post

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Following an initial suspension of its partnership with Kyrie Irving and the upcoming release of the Kyrie 8 signature shoe, Nike has now terminated its contract with Irving.

"Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike Athlete," a Nike spokesperson told NPR.

The signature endorsement agreement Irving signed with the company had been due to expire on Oct. 1, 2023. The termination comes after Irving posted on social media a link to an antisemitic movie and book in late October.

Following the news of his contract being terminated, Irving tweeted: "Anyone who has even spent their hard earned money on anything I have ever released, I consider you FAMILY and we are forever connected. it's time to show how powerful we are as a community."

Anyone who has even spent their hard earned money on anything I have ever released, I consider you FAMILY and we are forever connected.
it's time to show how powerful we are as a community.

🤞🏾♾
- Hélà🤞🏾A11Even Tribe (@KyrieIrving) December 5, 2022

Nike suspended its relationship with Irving a month ago, saying it would no longer release the Kyrie 8 shoe.

After suspending Irving, Phil Knight, Nike's co-founder, told CNBC on Nov. 10 that he doubted that the two would work out a future partnership.

Knight added in his CNBC interview, "Kyrie stepped over the line. It's kind of that simple. He made some statements that we just can't abide by and that's why we ended the relationship. And I was fine with that."

Since entering the NBA as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2011, Irving has represented Nike. The first of his signature shoes launched in 2014, and he has made an estimated $11 million per year from Nike. He's now poised to lose tens of millions he would have made if the contract had been extended.

Irving was suspended from the Brooklyn Nets for eight games on Nov. 3. During that time the team asked him to complete a list of requirements, including issuing a public apology and meeting with local Jewish leaders.

He returned to the Nets on Nov. 20 when they played the Memphis Grizzlies, offering an apology during the postgame media scrum. "I just want to offer my deep apologies to all those who were impacted over these last few weeks, specifically my Jewish relatives and Black relatives, all races and cultures," Irving said. "I feel like we all felt an impact. I don't stand for anything close to hate speech or antisemitism or anything that's going against the human race."

For refusing to comply with New York City's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Irving lost more than $15 million last season before New York's mayor gave athletes an exemption. Irving also lost $2 million in game checks for missed games during his November suspension.

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Kyrie Irving's partnership with Nike is officially terminated

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Following an initial suspension of its partnership with Kyrie Irving and the upcoming release of the Kyrie 8 signature shoe, Nike has now terminated its contract with Irving. "Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike Athlete," a Nike spokesperson told NPR. The signature endorsement agreement Irving signed with the company had been due to expire on Oct.

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Social Media Damaging the Reputations of Athletes

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Social Media Damaging the Reputations of Athletes

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Information travels at a rapid speed with easy access to social media, but this is a blessing and a curse for many, and athletes are no different. There have been many instances of people losing opportunities due to posts made years prior. It has almost become common for an athlete to lose opportunities over vulgar social media posts or videos.

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Social Media in Sports: Does Tech Help or Hurt Sports Culture?

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Athletes, managers, and other sports business professionals are adopting techniques to ensure social media in sports has a positive impact on sports culture.

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College Athletes are Now Allowed to use their Image and Likeness to make money, which includes Social Media Revenue

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College Athletes are Now Allowed to use their Image and Likeness to make money, which includes Social Media Revenue

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College sports are undergoing a major shift, all because of one important question: Should college athletes be paid? In June 2021, the NCAA responded by implementing an interim policy on name, image and likeness, or NIL, allowing student-athletes to make money from their personal brand. However, it can be a bit complex to navigate.

NIL laws vary by state, meaning your state may or may not have its own NIL regulations you must adhere to. Whether high school students can participate in NIL activities depends on the rules set by your state's high school sports association. Additionally, colleges and universities often have their own unique rules for NIL.

Our guide aims to simplify NIL rules for high school athletes and parents involved in the recruiting process. Understanding what's allowed and what's not can ensure your eligibility for college sports and maximize your potential for future NIL opportunities.

What does NIL mean? What is the right of publicity?

Name, image and likeness (or NIL) are the three elements that make up "right of publicity", a legal concept used to prevent or allow the use of an individual to promote a product or service. For example, if an athlete's photograph is taken while wearing an athletic brand, and that brand uses the photo to promote their products without the athlete's consent, that athlete could claim the brand is in violation of the right of publicity.

The right of publicity is generally used to protect against the misuse of an individual's name, image and likeness for commercial promotion. However, the NCAA has been scrutinized for years, as critics say the NCAA takes advantage of student-athletes by using their name, image and likeness for profit, while not allowing the athletes to cash in, as well.

what is the ncaa nil rule?

The NCAA's interim policy, which was passed in June 2021, has three main parts:

1. Athletes can engage in NIL activities if they follow their state's laws where their school is located. Schools must ensure these activities comply with state law.

2. Athletes in states without NIL laws can still participate in NIL activities without breaking NCAA rules.

3. Athletes are allowed to seek professional service providers for their NIL activities.

Student-athletes should report NIL activities consistent with state law or school and conference requirements to their school.

Examples of NIL activities for student-athletes

With the NCAA changing the existing NIL rules to begin allowing athletes the right to profit from the use of their own name, image and likeness, here are a few examples of what student-athletes could now be paid for:

Autographs and memorabilia

Camps and clinics

Personal appearances

Merchandise

Affiliate/ambassador roles

NFTs

Blogging

Podcasting

Public Speaking

Music, art, etc.

What high school student-athletes need to know

NIL is an exciting opportunity for both college and high school athletes, but before you dive into name, image and likeness deals as a high school student, there are some important things to keep in mind. It's a good idea to start preparing early and understand how NIL could impact your path to college.

1. State NIL rules: Each state has its own NIL regulations, so what's allowed in one state may not be the same in another.

2. High school NIL rules: Though the NCAA permits high school student-athletes to monetize their NIL, check with your high school or sports association's rules to avoid violations.

3. Colleges and conference-specific NIL rules: In college, you'll also need to be aware of what your college or conference allows for NIL, not just the state law.

4. Know your risks: Engaging in NIL activities without considering the rules set by your state or high school sports association could jeopordize your eligibility to play college sports - and we know you don't want that!

5. Prioritize school and sports: Keep up with your grades and improve your skills for college-level competition - this boosts both your college prospects and future NIL opportunities.

6. Seek guidance: Ask current college student-athletes for advice on name, image and likeness. They can connect you with NIL professionals and help you make smart choices! You can also explore the option of consulting with financial management experts, listening to industry leading podcasts and attending NIL workshops.

7. Build your online presence: Even if you don't plan to engage in NIL deals in high school, begin building your online presence on social media. Sharing your journey and interests can help college coaches know you better for recruiting and set the stage for future NIL opportunities.

8. Stay informed: NIL rules and regulations are constantly changing as states, schools, and conferences assess their impact on athletes. Staying up-to-date on these developments and trends will help you make informed decisions during your high school and college journey.

To understand your NIL rights, regularly check the following sources:

What states have signed NIL laws?

States are introducing their own laws and policies related to NIL, and as a result, the regulations governing name, image and likeness deals can vary based on where you live or the college you attend. Different states have distinct rules regarding what athletes can endorse and when they can start engaging in these opportunities.

In states with active NIL laws, college athletes can earn money following both state and school rules. In states without such laws, the college sets the guidelines for NIL activities.

We've gathered data from the Business of College Sports NIL Tracker (last updated July 2023) to provide you with a state-by-state overview of the NIL laws impacting college student-athletes. We'll ensure this information stays current as NIL regulations evolve.

State NIL Law Status

Alaska

None

District of Columbia (D.C.)

Legislation proposed October 2021

Hawaii

Bill introduced

Idaho

None

Indiana

None

Iowa

Legislation proposed

Kansas

Legislation proposed

Massachusetts

Legislation proposed

Minnesota

Legislation proposed

Missouri

Signed into law; Amended May 2022 and July 2023

New Hampshire

Legislation proposed

North Dakota

None

Rhode Island

Legislation proposed

South Dakota

None

Utah

None

Vermont

Legislation proposed

Washington

Legislation proposed

West Virginia

Legislation proposed

Wisconsin

None

Wyoming

None

High school associations address the NIL rules

High school sports associations are currently navigating the complexities of name, image and likeness. Unlike college student-athletes, high school athletes have stricter limitations and may not be able to capitalize on their school's logo or name. The opportunities for high school athletes to make money from their NIL vary depending on the rules set by their specific association.

Below is access to state-by-state rules and regulations for each high school association.

Insider Tip: We highly recommend that you reach out to your high school athletic director or contact your high school association before engaging with NIL deals as a high school student. They will be able to provide you with the necessary guidance and most up-to-date information specific to your state's association.

Are colleges/universities creating their own NIL rules?

Yes, each individual school has oversight of NIL deals and the right to object to a deal if it conflicts with existing agreements. Some schools are turning to companies like Opendorse and INFLCR, which offer platforms for athletes to upload their NIL contracts for the compliance department to review and approve.

Athletes are expected to understand their school's NIL policy and keep their school informed of all NIL arrangements. The best way to ensure student-athletes understand school-specific NIL rules is to work directly with their school's compliance department or their coaches. Check here for a list of institutions with NIL rules and regulations in place.

National governing bodies sport-specific amateurism rules

Similar to states, colleges/universities and conferences, national governing bodies are beginning to create their own NIL guidelines for student-athletes to retain their amateur status. The first national governing body to address the new NIL policy is USGA. The association released their own set of guidelines that highlighted three requirements for student-athletes to remain amateur golfers.

The NIL-related actions are allowed under the NCAA's interim policy,

He or she remains on a team roster while the NIL-related activities take place, and

There are no other breaches of the Rules of Amateur Status in connection with the NIL activities.

Below is access to the rules and regulations of sport-specific national governing bodies.

AAU Sports
USA Baseball
US Amateur Basketball
USA Cheer
USA Field Hockey
USA Football
USGA
USA Gymnastics
USA Ice Hockey
USA Lacrosse
US Rowing
USA Soccer
USA Softball
USA Swimming
USTA
USATF
USA Volleyball
USA Water Polo
USA Wrestling

How to talk to college coaches about NIL

Moving forward, student-athletes interested in monetizing their NIL will need to ask questions about NIL rules when talking with coaches. Before speaking with a coach, prospective student-athletes should create a list of questions about the NIL rules that would impact them. Below are a few suggested questions:

What NIL rules are enforced by your school and conference?

What is NIL going to look like for me if I come to your institution?

How are current student-athletes monetizing their NIL?

What marketplaces are your current athletes using to monetize on their NIL?

What platform is your compliance office using to manage and approve NIL contracts?

Helping student-athletes monetize on their NIL

Student-athletes looking to monetize on their NIL will need help securing deals. While there are many companies that have been working with professional athletes for years that will offer their services to college athletes, there are a number of new companies that have recently launched specifically to help collegiate athletes. To learn about some of these new brands, check out the NIL Network's coverage on digital marketplaces, as well as the BCS tracker which offers a running list of marketplaces.

What's next for NIL?

The NCAA intends to work with federal congressional legislators to replace the interim policy with a single nationwide policy, but there is no timeline on when that might happen. For now, athletes should continue to adhere to NIL rules set in their specific state. NCSA will continue to monitor changes as they relate to NIL laws and provide updates to the team, when necessary.

For student-athletes looking for additional resources covering NIL updates on an ongoing basis, check out the weekly NIL Network podcast, Fi-Nil-ly.

NCAA NIL FAQs

What does NIL stand for?

NIL stands for name, image and likeness, which primarily pertains to student-athletes in college sports.

What does NIL mean?

NIL refers to the rights of college athletes to control and profit from their name, image and likeness. In the past, these rights were restricted by the NCAA, but recent policy changes now allow athletes to monetize their personal brand and endorsements while participating in college sports.

When did NIL start?

Effective July 1, 2021, the NCAA approved name, image, and likeness policy allows student-athletes to monetize their NIL. However, no federal legislation or specific NCAA NIL rules have been established. NIL activities and restrictions vary from state to state and school to school, which means student-athletes must understand both sets of rules before entering into any NIL agreements.

What is a NIL deal?

A NIL deal is an agreement or arrangement between a student-athlete and a third party, such as a brand, company or individual, where the student-athlete receives compensation for the use of their name, image and likeness.

What is an NIL collective?

NIL collectives are support networks for college athletes where donors pool together money to compensate athletes for their name, image and likeness. These independent organizations generate NIL deals for athletes at specific schools while operating separately from the schools themselves.

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Learn about the NCAA NIL rules regarding the for-profit use of a student-athlete's name, image and likeness for endorsements or promotions.

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How NFL Teams compete for Incoming Fans through Social Media

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How NFL Teams compete for Incoming Fans through Social Media

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From Sunday at 1:00pm and on, football fans are hawking their televisions, laptops, and tablets trying to keep up with latest updates concerning their favorite teams and players.

But even prior to Sundays, fans are constantly trying to involve themselves with latest news and drama surrounding the National Football League.

This is where evolution of social media comes into play.

Ever since social media has taken over the Internet, it has taken the NFL with them. Obviously with a few bumps and bruises along the way, the relationship between NFL teams and social media platforms has become a beautiful thing.

NFL teams are using social media as a source of engagement and interaction with their fans as well as a way of establishing their brand and increasing their reach.
Fans Don't Want to Be Left Out
Fans are relentless. When it comes to support for their favorite teams, most will do just about anything. All year long, they put in countless hours as well as dollars just for the slightest bit of satisfaction. They also get the idea in mind that their efforts may even help the team win.

NFL teams have turned to social media as a way of providing their fans with an enhanced level of involvement along with a source of acknowledgment. It allows them to provide their biggest supporters with all news surrounding their team along with a chance engage with them on a personal level.

Not only have the New England Patriots had much success on the field this season, but their creative ways of connecting with fans have allowed them to climb their way up the social media ranks.

Creating hashtags such as #TomTuesday (Tom as in Tom Brady of course), where they offer fans a chance to win signed memorabilia based on how many retweets the post has.

They also utilize the hashtag #HardCorePatsFan; where they encourage fans to tweet pictures of their Patriot loyalty and the team will award a lucky winner with tickets to an upcoming home game.

Creative tactics like these have allowed the Patriots to surpass the Dallas Cowboys with the most Twitter followers in the NFL with just over 1 million.
The Addition of Snapchat
Currently, every team in the NFL has their own Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Every week, each team is trying to keep up with the latest trends and searching for new tactics to enhance their appeal.

Starting this season, many teams have launched their own Snapchat accounts. This allows them to stitch together a collection of images and video clips appearing in a narrative format that is available to all Snapchat users.

Now it's in the hands of the team on how they want to utilze this transitory-messaging service.

Both the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints took Snapchat as a way of posting their 2014 schedules. Not long after the NFL posted their official release, the Jets and Saints both set their "stories" as 16 10-second images of their week-by-week opponents.

Like the Jets and Saints, the Philadelphia Eagles have turned to Snapchat as another source of fan engagement.

As one of the NFL's Snapchat pioneers, the Philadelphia Eagles have turned to Snapchat as another interaction platform. The Eagles have connected with thousands of fans sharing new products or footage of locker room hangout sessions and game day preparation.
Executing on Facebook
Because it is the most frequently used form of social media, Facebook is essential to when it comes to interacting and engaging with NFL fans.

Currently the Dallas Cowboys lead the NFL in Facebook likes with nearly 8.2 million. America's love for "America's Team" has allowed the Cowboys to establish their Facebook dominance.

However, just because they have the greatest number of likes doesn't necessarily mean they have the best content.

The Cowboys have turned to Facebook to increase the trafficking on their team's official website. Some may view this as not the wisest move as seen that the Cowboys are not recognized as a team that thrive in engagement across social media.

Here are 5 ideas NFL teams have turned to with the hopes of increasing their Facebook traffic:

1. Keeping It Simple

2. Encouraging Participation

3. Rewarding Dedication

4. Real-Time Engagement

5. Promoting Awareness & Discussion

While on Facebook, teams try to stay consistent and accurate with their content, while trying to increase engagement with quality posts.
Room to Grow
Although the NFL has taken the social media era by storm, there is certainly room for improvement.

Just two of the 32 teams have more than 1 million followers on Twitter, while there are countless current and former players along with NFL analysts that do.

In addition, there are zero NFL teams ranking amongst the top 25 sports teams 'Likes' on Facebook. Spain's Real Madrid tops that list with more than 80 million fans.

Now that all teams have got their foot-in-door when it comes to social media, it's time for them to thinking outside the box. For example, the Denver Broncos have utilized the daily deal site, LivingSocial, offering exclusive game day packages.

It is apparent that social media is not just a phase for NFL teams - so we can expect it to be used as long as fans flock to social media. There are endless sources of engagement and interaction that social media allows teams to provide their fans.

Now these teams not only worry about executing on the field, but on the internet as well.
What other platforms do you think NFL teams can leverage to reach their fans? Let us know in comments below. Jake Platt was a content marketing intern with Primal Digital Marketing (now owned by Bbg, Inc.). Jake graduated from the University of Rhode Island where he studied Global Marketing and Business Management.

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How NFL Teams Use Social Media to Engage Fans - Bbg, Inc. | A Marketing Education Firm

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Ever since social media has taken over the Internet, it has taken the NFL with them. Obviously with a few bumps and bruises along the way, the relationship between NFL teams and social media platforms has become a beautiful thing.

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NBA Creates its own form of Social Media to Enhance Engagement

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NBA Creates its own form of Social Media to Enhance Engagement

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The Growing Need to Satisfy Viewers Outside of the Sport Itself

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The Growing Need to Satisfy Viewers Outside of the Sport Itself

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It's hard not to notice that social media is influencing the sports industry profoundly - and its impact is only just the start. From the COVID-19 pandemic to a recovering world, more and more fans have been taking to platforms like Instagram and TikTok. There, they banter and discuss their favorite sports topics, especially when they can't attend games or events in person.

Others watch sports primarily - or even exclusively - on social media now. The impact of social media on fan engagement and the business of sports is advancing more rapidly than the adoption of TV broadcasts. It's creating new business models that will make it harder for sports organizations to compete for fan attention. And the teams and leagues who can deliver more content through digital channels will be the new media rights winners.

Fans of all ages now turn to social platforms for sports content, including:

51% of fans getting sports content on Facebook

46% on YouTube

31% on Instagram

25% on Twitter

Every day, a sport-related topic is trending on social media platforms like Twitter. Additionally, some of the most followed accounts on social media are sports-related:

Real Madrid has 134 million followers on Instagram.

The NBA has 88 million followers.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the most followed person, has 580 million followers.

The takeaway for leagues and teams?

Social media has simply taken over as the preferred method for fans to follow sports. It's time for sports marketers all sports leagues, teams, national associations and competitions that aren't yet taking advantage of the rapid rise of new social networking to get on board.

Let's explore a few different trends we're seeing for social media in sports, highlighting a few ways this two-way communication has influenced sports marketers around the world already.

Media, in general, has been transforming the dynamics of many industries for decades. And the sports industry is no exception - first live broadcast TV, then cable, then OTT subscription, and now social media. The rise of social has been especially rapid over the years of Covid isolation.

At its core, it's easy to understand. Broadcast TV is a one-way push of information. Social media is a two-way conversation that enables sports fans to engage, react and feel more connected to the teams and athletes they love.

Consider sports fans' current social media use patterns:

These statistics and more like these prove one thing: the effect of social media on sports and fans is massive - and accelerating every day.

Increasingly, social media is becoming deeply woven into today's sports culture. With more people spending more time online, fans take to social media to engage in sports-related topics and content. Also, organizations are building creative ways to promote their sports teams and encourage sports conversation.

From live-filming games to sharing memes and trash-talking, people no longer just watch sports. They actively engage with them.

A few key social media effects on sports include:

1. Sports Marketing

The new generation of sports marketers know that the combination of sports and social media are the key to providing an 'always on' experience for fans.

Social media has simplified sports marketing. Many sports marketers leverage social channels to promote sports-related events and activities. And many organizations are getting fans involved in creating original user-generated content (UGC) to build deeper connections.

See a few sports marketing examples to understand better how social media can help organizations and brands alike.

2. The Source of Truth, Stats and Information

Social media accounts for athletes and sports organizations have become essential destinations for fans. This is especially true for younger fans just forming their lifelong alliances and loyalties.

58% of 16- to 24-year-olds and 49% of 25- to 34-year-olds report following athletes on social media; 43% in each age group follow leagues on social.

Also, almost every sports team has multiple social channels on which they share relevant news with fans. That's a smart move because fans are now using social for sports news and updates more than ever. Nielsen reports that between April 2020 and August 2021, global usage of TikTok for sports news and content grew 30%; the same use case for Twitch grew 21%.

Social media has made it easy to share sports news and content as a medium for two-way conversations that reduce marketing costs for organizations.

And for sports fans, social media is a means to stay updated with sports content, follow their favorite athletes or teams, and interact with other sports audiences.

Overall, sports are increasing in popularity. One of the reasons is the rise of social media, the growing importance of short-form content, and the need for sports teams and leagues to start gathering and sharing all-access content.

3. Sports Leagues' Global Reach

Social media enables sports leagues to have direct and real-time access to fans worldwide. This connection allows international fans to connect with their favorite teams no matter where they live.

And teams reap the benefits of accessing a larger fan base. For example, while Americans love basketball, the NBA actually has more fans in the U.K., Germany, and China than in the U.S.!

4. Live Streaming

TV was the only way to broadcast live sports or events visually for many decades. Now, sports organizations and media outlets can leverage social media on mobile screens to share live events and real-time games with audiences.

According to a 2020 study, 39% of American adults watch sports via online live streams. Consumers ages 18-24 are over 2x more likely to live-stream sports than fans ages 55+.

Sports fans now watch (and often prefer to watch) their favorite team playing right from their mobile devices.

5. Social Media's Increased Revenue Opportunities

Broadcasters are realizing the benefits of providing updates and streaming content that viewers want to see on social. They're using digital media from their league partners to attract and retain audiences. As a result, digital media rights are becoming critical components to broadcast rights deals, generating more revenue for leagues everywhere.

This same digital media and social media buzz around players and teams can boost ticket sales and merch sales. This happens through increased engagement, especially when sponsorship comes into play.

How Social Media Impacts Sports Organizations

Another notable effect of social media is the avenue for sports organizations to share information with fans directly and make them feel a part of the league experience. Especially casual fans - those fans that don't tune into many broadcasts, and might not follow teams or players. Most people's time spent online involves scrolling to find something that interests them, and social media is a great way to remind them about the sport, the team, or the league.

Being active on social media is a great way for sports organizations to build relationships with the public.

Many sports teams have social media accounts to promote events or activities and engage people with sports content. These organizations use social media platforms to announce upcoming games, share lineups for a new game, or even highlight a player's performance.

Social media also helps people stay connected with their favorite sports teams and athletes. For example, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many competitions were suspended. But social media allowed organizations to create fresh content, keep fans updated about their favorite players and coaches, and engage their audiences.

For instance, during the NBA's stoppage, they released photo and video content celebrating memorable moments from player and team histories. This powerful fan engagement content reached 1.6 billion followers! Short-form digital media like this is incredibly powerful.

In addition to being a news medium, social media helps organizations boost fan engagement and partner revenue opportunities. This happens through targeted social media sports marketing campaigns using digital content.

And using software like Greenfly's digital media distribution platform, sports teams like Paris Saint-Germain have grown their audiences massively through athlete advocacy on social media.

Social Media Helps Sports Organizations Engage Fans

Keep fans updated on team news like new signings, contracts, announcements and events

Foster fan engagement with original content from leagues, teams, coaches, and players

Promote events or teams

Create and share live sports content like live video, real-time games, play-by-play updates, goal announcements, etc.

Gather feedback from fans through tools like Twitter and Instagram polls and authentic UGC from them, too

Build new revenue from partners and fans through the digital media captured every day

How Social Media Impacts Revenue

At the moment, TV broadcast revenue, sponsorships and ticket sales make up most of any team or league revenue. Social media provides a new opportunity to expand and grow revenue from those same channels. It also opens up new opportunities.

Sports properties can leverage their digital media feeds - short-form images and photos created for social media - and turn that inventory into an asset. For sponsors, fans, and alumni associations, that content is valuable in so many ways. There's so much to explore here that we wrote a whole playbook on the topic:

How Social Media Impacts Athletes

Getting your favorite athlete's attention was almost impossible just a decade or two ago. Social media has almost single-handedly bridged the gap between sports fans and athletes. Many professional athletes have personal social media accounts where they engage fans, promote sponsors, and share their events and lives.

Aside from engaging fans, social media plays a massive role in exposing the human side of athletes. Many athletes share personal social media content like behind-the-scenes or day-to-day activities. For athletes who are often considered heroic in their performance, social media humanizes them - making them more relatable.

Sharing their stories also helps athletes build their personal brands. This capability strengthens their opportunities and increases their value for endorsement deals and other career gains.

Another benefit for athletes: Social media makes it easy to stand for a cause and amplify social issues. For example, Jah'kiyla Atwaters started a social media campaign to raise donations for children who couldn't afford the costs of participating in sports.

With the right social media strategy, athletes can:

Enhance their public image

Build a community of loyal audiences and

Position themselves for future opportunities and earnings.

Social Media in Sports: Summary and FAQ

We've reviewed how social media is changing the sports world and influencing leagues, teams and players. Here's a quick summary of the most important frequently asked questions about social media.

Why is social media important in sports?

Social media is an essential tool for building two-way communication with global fans (especially Gen Z and other digital-first generations), deeply engaging sports audiences, and sharing sports-related information. This capability is vital in an age where many people, including sports fans, spend a lot of time and money online. Undoubtedly, social media is changing the way fans watch sports events. It's also steering how organizations and athletes engage with sports audiences, and how they expand revenue opportunities with both fans and partners.

How has social media changed sports media?

Social media have influenced sports, particularly in marketing and communications. Many sports marketers now capitalize on social media to promote campaigns, events, teams and sports activities. Also, social media is changing traditional journalism: Sports media outlets now share content with mass audiences via social media platforms daily.

How does social media affect athletes?

With social media, athletes are no longer just athletes but also commercial brands. Athletes benefit from having social media to promote themselves, build a personal brand profile, and connect with their fans year round. Moreover, athletes can enjoy job opportunities and economic benefits based on their reputation on social media.

How does the media influence sport?

Media is a huge part of the sports experience. It helps raise awareness of sports, showcase the values of sports, and offers an avenue for sports events to be shared across the world. Sports organizations, media outlets, fans and athletes embrace social media as a tool to communicate. This is a big win for the sports industry because it has allowed sports to become truly ingrained in people's lives.

If you're exploring ways social media can help you reach your sports marketing goals, get in touch with our team of experts.

Editor's Picks

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Social Media in Sports: Driving Fan Engagement | Greenfly

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It's hard not to notice that social media is influencing the sports industry profoundly - and its impact is only just the start. From the COVID-19 pandemic to a recovering world, more and more fans have been taking to platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

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With the rise of platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, the demand for long forms of content has decreased severely in favor of shorter content. For example, if someone wants to watch a movie, but the film is too long in their eyes, they will watch a summary of that movie on a social media platform. This is the same for sports as well. In the picture shown, an estimated 73% of the viewers shown are more likely to watch a six-minute highlight, than to watch the full game unfold.

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How quitting College Football for Social Media brought an Athlete millions

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How quitting College Football for Social Media brought an Athlete millions

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Donald De La Haye was a punter for the University of Central Florida's football team, but at the same time began making money from the website YouTube. At the time, you were not allowed to make money, meaning De La Haye had to decide between his YouTube and football careers. He is now one of the largest football influencers with over five million subscribers.

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Former kicker Donald De La Haye lost friends and supporters, who called him "crazy" among other things, after he chose his profitable YouTube channel over a D1 football scholarship at the University of Central Florida.

In 2017 - four years before the NCAA decided to suspend rules prohibiting athletes from selling their name, image and likenesses (NIL) - De La Haye made national headlines for refusing to demonetize or delete his YouTube channel at the NCAA's request due to his student-athlete status.

After "countless meetings" with the UCF Compliance Office and "back and forth" conversations with the NCAA, De La Haye refused to agree to the "unfair rules and conditions" proposed by the NCAA, one of which he said required him to give up the money he had made from his monetized YouTube videos.

De La Haye ultimately forfeited his scholarship, and walked away from the football program at UCF to pursue his content creation career full time. When he made the decision, he gained over 30,000 YouTube subscribers and earned thousands more followers on Instagram.

Today, De La Haye has 3.5 million YouTube subscribers, and 1.4 million Instagram followers. He now says he makes millions of dollars per year between social media, YouTube ads and sponsorships.

Upon hearing about the NCAA NIL rule change, De La Haye told The Post he felt "a sigh of relief."

"Now [college] athletes have a means to take care of their people and take care of themselves... Now these athletes can use their hard work and grind that they've worked their butts off for years and they can earn some money and give back. It opens up a whole new world and I'm really excited to see all of the positives and benefits that come from this rule change."

De La Haye joined YouTube in 2015, under the name " Deestroying." His videos showcased his life as a collegiate athlete and quickly caught the attention of hundreds of thousands - leading to ad revenue and a booming social media following - which the NCAA took issue with under its former policy.

Donald De La Haye and Logan Paul attend The Challenger Games in 2019.

Getty Images for Challenger Leag

"It was hard. It was no walk in the park. I'll admit I cried a lot those nights trying to figure out what was best," De La Haye said about the "six-week process" in which the NCAA "investigated" his online presence.

Though, his UCF teammates, in similar positions, understood his decision.

"My teammates were like, 'Go get your bag bro. We are out here struggling, doing all this work and we're not getting paid. We're proud of you. S-t you're lucky you're getting out," he said. "They were talking about [the NCAA] like it was jail.

"Even parents coworkers would be like, 'Is your son stupid? He just gave up a full scholarship for a Youtube channel?' I would have all these people DMing me [on social media] saying, excuse my language, 'You're a f-king idiot.' All types of crazy stuff," De La Haye said, remembering the "negative" reactions to his decision.

To this day, De La Haye doesn't see what he was doing "wrong" by posting videos to YouTube just "doing what I'm passionate about" and having "innocent fun."

"I knew it was ridiculous when I went to the beach with my girlfriend at the time and we were just tossing the football back and forth, having fun, just enjoying ourselves and [the school] wrote me a letter saying, 'Hey, you can't do this because you're a student athlete, you can't throw the football. They literally wrote that on the document: 'Throwing a football at the beach with his girlfriend. He can't do that.' It just blew my mind."

It's hard not to wonder what what would have happened if De La Haye complied with the previous NCAA laws. Would he have been drafted to the NFL out of college? That's a question he doesn't spend time thinking about now that he has built an internet empire using his football talent.

Donald De La Haye attends the House of Athlete Scouting Combine on March 5, 2021.

Getty Images

De La Haye went on to play in the Canadian Football League [CIL], but explained in a July 2019 YouTube video that things didn't work out. He was signed to the Toronto Argonauts practice squad and never got a chance to play or start.

That same month, De La Haye dominated fellow YouTuber Logan Paul in Paul's Challenger Games in California. The Costa Rican kicker won the 100m race in an impressive 10.8 seconds against Paul.

Today, De La Haye has millions of followers across multiple platforms that tune in to watch his football-inspired videos, featuring up-and-coming athletes and NFL pros he calls friends. He works with a "solid team" of videographers and editor to create football events and competitions all over the United States.

His monetized YouTube videos and Instagram content also features wide receivers Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals), free agent quarterback Cam Newton, retired Super Bowl champion Reggie Bush and more.

De La Haye developed his own athletic apparel brand, The Eleven, and recently signed with Playmaker - a representation company that helps athletes monetize through endorsements, brand partnerships and merchandise opportunities. Corey Clement, who was released by the Giants on Tuesday, is one of many pros on Playmaker's roster.

Playmaker CEO Brandon Harris told The Post his company will be working with De La Haye on "endorsements, sponsored posts and in person signings, to original content series, merchandise collaborations, podcasts, growth of social channels and more."

De La Haye has also taken calls from ESPN about possible content creation opportunities with the network.

After the long-awaited NCAA NIL rule change, De La Haye is motivated to help collegiate athletes profit off their NIL.

"I want to start an agency that helps these students navigate this [post NCAA rule change] world the right way - something small, nothing crazy," De La Haye said. "We're not going to sign 200 athletes, but something boutique so that kids who trust me and my journey, will trust my advice to help them."

On July 1, the NCAA NIL rule change went into effect, and De La Haye has been getting messages from collegiate athletes ever since.

"My DMs are non-stop these days. People are asking me how to make money, how do they tackle the new rule, how do they move on and navigate through this whole new world we're living in," he said.

"Everything happens for a reason, and I had to kind of bite the bullet so that my peers could do what they do now. I'm glad I did that because I'm living a phenomenal life now and now student athletes can also live a phenomenal life."

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Donald De La Haye's 'crazy' decision to quit college football turned him into a YouTube millionaire

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Former kicker Donald De La Haye lost friends and supporters, who called him "crazy" among other things, after he chose his profitable YouTube channel over a D1 football scholarship at the University of Central Florida.