Social media is an integral part of sports, promoting campaigns, events, and teams across the globe. Moreover, athletes use social media to build personal brands and connect with fans year round. An engaged social media following increases a player’s earning potential even after their athletic window closes. But, a mindless approach to social media can damage an athlete’s image and negatively impact their career.
Social Media in Sports
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many sporting competitions were suspended, teams used social media to share fresh content and engage their audiences. They also used it to maintain communication with benched players, enabling them to feel connected to the team. Moreover, social media allows fans to curate their social feeds to only follow their favorite teams and create more personalized connections with their sports heroes.
In addition to delivering fresh content, sports organizations can leverage social media to boost their audience engagement and partner revenue opportunities. They can create and distribute short-form digital media content, such as real-time games, play-by-play updates, goal announcements, and more. This digital content helps increase fan base, build brand awareness, amplify athlete personalities, and drive sponsorship opportunities.
Similarly, athletes are using social media to communicate with fans, promote their upcoming appearances, and sell merchandise. However, it is important for athletes to balance their professional and social lives and avoid posting anything controversial or embarrassing. They should also remember that social media can be time-consuming and addictive, especially if scrolling through newsfeeds becomes a habit. This can take away from their physical activities, interpersonal relationships, and self-care.