The boom of digital and social media has changed how we look at sports. The most prominent area of digital media is social media or simply known as social networks. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter, etc., have become essential tools for distributing information and promoting interaction. Social media has impacted the world of sports in various manners, such as sports marketing ad communication. Social media sharing platforms like https://www.greenfly.com/solutions/sports/ give sports marketers an edge on getting and keeping their fans engaged.
Fan Loyalty
We all know sports fans go crazy for their favorite teams and players; however, fans can interact with them with the advancement in social media. Almost every team and player have social media presence to communicate directly with the audience. Now, sports fans get the opportunity to look into their daily lives, not through the TV channels but the athletes themselves. Many of them show what they eat, where they go out more often, and their hobbies, which connect the fans to the athletes on a better level. Ultimately, it strengthens their loyalty to their favorite players.
Players as Influencers
The term “influencer” has become quite common these days. With the rise of social media, many players have turned into influencers. They not only talk about sports but also about many different issues of society. A superstar player can significantly influence society regarding any issue with a single post. Digital media has become a great tool to make positive changes in society. However, with a loyal fan following, athletes can also use their power negatively. One single post or tweet can hurt the emotions of many people and create chaos.
Freedom of Opinion for Fans
Due to the amplifying effect of digital media, fans have now got complete freedom to share their opinions online. People share their views regarding a particular match, team pr athlete by the ease of their smartphones. During popular football, basketball, cricket, and many other prominent sports, fans post and share their views with their fellow beings. It helps in providing a team or player limelight and popularity.
Digital Marketing
Digital media impacts sports prominently through digital marketing. Professional sports teams pick up the trends and ideas circulating on the web to promote their teams and players. Livestreaming and podcasts have become a great way to engage fans and spread the message across the globe. There was a time when Television was the only source to watch live matches. Many social media platforms allow the users to live stream the match, i-e., the team’s account. It helps in increasing the number of viewers and gaining fame. Along with this, live updates are shared throughout the game, keeping people up-to-date.
Despite all the positive impacts, digital media has some negative aspects of sports. For example, a negative comment online can shatter the athlete’s self-confidence. People can also spread misconceptions about a particular team. So, in short, digital and social media for sports is quite prominent and growing rapidly.
