Sports Advertising Opportunities 2024
As the madness sweeps through, fans rally for alma maters, brackets, and Cinderella Stories. Amidst the excitement, it's prime time to explore the immense advertising potential across all sports.
While sports have long served as a platform for advertisers to captivate vast audiences, emerging trends present fresh avenues to expand your media investment and maximize marketing impact.
NIL Deals & Individual Athletes: Partnering with individual athletes is an increasingly popular tactic, offering brands greater creativity and extending beyond traditional in-game TV spots and venue/league sponsorships. NIL deals have unlocked a new category of athletes, reducing entry barriers for brands. While the hometown NFL quarterback may be out of reach, the local college team's pitcher could offer the perfect fit for your brand.
Women’s Sports: Women's sports are on the rise, boasting record-breaking viewership. Last year, Coco Gauff's victory at the US Open drew 3.4 million viewers on ESPN, while Iowa women’s basketball packed a football stadium with over 55,000 fans. The WNBA also set viewership and attendance records during its 2023 season.
Beyond the “Big” Game: While big games command attention, fans also flock to conference tournaments, qualifiers, and newer events like the NBA in-season tournament. These events offer opportunities for creative advertising, as they may not attract as much demand from large national brands. Consider activations at qualifying events, TV/streaming ads during non-tentpole events, or sponsorship opportunities at accessible investment levels.
Niche Interests: While tentpole events like the Super Bowl and March Madness may be out of reach for some advertisers, there are numerous other avenues to engage passionate sports fans. Sports like F1 and Major League Soccer have gained traction in recent years, attracting diverse audiences. Additionally, targeting niche demographics can yield fruitful results. For example, F1 boasts a younger (average age 32) and more female audience compared to NFL (average age 50) and NBA (average age 42). Sports like tennis and golf, while smaller in audience size, often attract higher-income viewers.
At Brivic Media, we're dedicated to helping our partners explore unique ways to reach their target audiences and maximize their marketing efforts.
References:
https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2023/12/11/the-year-in-womens-sports-and-marketing