In the era of rapid technological advancements and rising market pressures, keeping up with our passion seems like a luxury. But yet, the most passionate class of enthusiasts manages to bypass every hindrance and enjoy their favorite sports and celebrities. No wonder some even go beyond ordinary means to attend events and meet their beloved stars. The desire to hug, take a selfie, or talk to your idol is so strong that fans, unfortunately, violate laws and pose security risks.
What if we tell you that there’s a better way to approach, meet, and even sponsor your ideals collectively? Your guess is right for the first part: crowdfunding is it. You can also own a team, club, or brand and make it a side hustle until it matures into a primary business. How? Let us share with you the project’s feasibility, potential benefits, and essential services. We must zoom in to review the sports events and celebrity sponsorships, plus the market size, for a fair share.
An Overview of the Sports & Celebrities Niche
Although there’s no need to mention the amplitude and fame of diverse sports in the US, let’s get an overview. The games are not just a form of entertainment but a reflection of the spirit and patriotism of the native population. Often, the events and celebrities become national icons, gaining global fame, business opportunities, and extravagant bids. Meeting a favorite icon is a dream of every fan for which they stand in long queues and spend enthusiastically. Let’s find your best game in the subsequent headings.
Major Sports Events with Huge Fan Following
Sporting events are integral to the US cultural spirit, where people of any age, gender, or faith share similar passions. Undoubtedly, many games have mass viewership in the US, including Golf, Auto Racing, Mixed Martial Arts, Soccer, Boxing, and Tennis. However, the big four have a fairly large share of fans and enthusiasts with the most popular events. These are Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), and National Hockey League (NHL). We present the revenues of these sporting events for reference.
1.     American Football
The NFL is the biggest event in American Sports, hosting top professionals like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce. It has a 74.5% US viewership, with 585 million global viewers using digital media and TV. With the event’s revenues amassing $17 billion, NFL gets sponsors from the top brands and firms like Amazon and Cisco.
2.     Basketball
Basketball is the sport with the most players in the US, with an active base of around 26 million players, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. Despite being famous in the US, it also acquires around 625 million worldwide viewers, generating revenues of up to $8.8 billion.
56% of its spectators are American, making the NBA the second-largest US sporting event. It gave rise to the most famous names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Jayson Tatum. The Celtics, Knicks, Mavericks, and Lakers are a few teams with the largest fan following.
3.     Baseball
Statista claims that the following of baseball is around 50% of US adults, winning the third largest sport’s title. MLB is the main event that generates over $11 billion in revenues with grand sponsors like Toyota and Coca-Cola. An endorsement by an MLB player like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Juan Soto can provide a wide reach. Yankees, Phillies, Rangers, Dodgers, and Braves are some of the most popular franchises of MLB.
4.     Ice Hockey
Being one of the Big Four, Ice Hockey makes a revenue of $5.5 billion with a viewership of nearly 22% of Americans. NHL is the top event that attracts viewership from Canada and North American countries, let alone the US.
NHL players are highest paid due to their challenging nature, getting sponsors like Pepsi Co. and Tim Hortons. Connor McDavid, Matthew Tkachuk, and Sidney Crosby are famous players, and the most popular teams are the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.
5.     Other Famous Sports
Besides the big four, the US is also home to a few of the globally famous events from diverse sports categories. It hosts the Kentucky Derby, The Masters, The U.S. Open, the Daytona 500, the New York Marathon, UFC MMA, and the Winter Olympics. Each of these events, especially the final matches, gets a huge public following and many sponsorships from global brands. They bring the US its finest star players.
Renowned Celebrities with Big Brand Sponsorships
The US is the country with the most Olympic medals, along with a zealous fan base. Celebrities here are not only loved and cherished but often idolized for their achievements and contributions. Key players enjoy the highest number of followers after Hollywood stars, some even surpassing them in wealth. Let’s go through a few of the most renowned celebrities with the biggest brand sponsorships.
1.     Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls, NBA)
Michael Jordan is a former basketball player (now businessman), winning six NBA championships during his 15 NBA seasons. The player’s career from 1984 to 2003 ensued the most successful brand partnerships and other sponsorships.
Nike – $1.5 Billion
The player enjoys a royalty of 5% on Nike’s Air Jordan sales, earning around a staggering $1.5 billion fortune. The $2.5 million deal in 1984 was thrice the size of any other NBA deal but was shortly belittled by the 1985 launch of Air Jordan sneakers.
McDonalds – $30 Million
Besides Nike, other brands also offer sponsorships, such as McDonald’s. The partnership spanned from 1987 to 2002 for commercials, promotions, and even a McJordan product line. It was a one-of-a-kind event, gaining the brand global recognition among fans.
2.     LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers, NBA)
LeBron James is another NBA star from the Los Angeles Lakers and is known for being the greatest player after Jordan. The athlete has a list of titles and achievements on their name while playing for the Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Lakers.
Nike – $1 Billion
The first deal was signed in 2003 and kept on renewing afterward, with the latest agreement worth $1 billion. Nike also built the LeBron James Innovation Center offering in addition to a signature line of shoes and apparel.
3.     Roger Federer (Tennis, The US Open)
Roger Federer is a former tennis player of Swiss origin who was ranked at the top of the ATP in singles. Out of the 310 weeks of staying No. 1, 237 were consecutive, with 20 grand slam singles wins. The greatest tennis player is known for winning countless titles and a massive off-court fortune.
Nike – $150 Million
Nike initially signed Federer for nearly $10 million per year, which didn’t even exceed the two-decade mark. The professional tennis player, however, made around a total of $150 million from the deal before accepting a better offer.
Uniqlo – $300 Million
The athlete accepted the $300 million (or $30 million per year) deal from the Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo. The deal made Federer richer by almost $600 million, having leading tennis earnings and being the 5th billionaire active player.
4.     Tiger Woods (Golfer, The Masters/PGA)
Tiger Woods is a famous American professional golfer who holds the record for the most PGA Tour wins. The player stands second in men’s major championships and holds numerous golf records. Being one of the greatest golfers ever, Woods is also one of the most iconic athletes.
Nike – $300 Million
The partnership began in 1996 with a deal worth $40 million, being the largest endorsement at that time. In 2001, the golfer signed a $100 million contract, making more than the sports. The latest deal was signed in 2013, which lasted for 10 years and was worth around $200 million.
Gatorade – $100 Million
Another sponsorship from Gatorade in 2007 was a five-year deal worth $100 million. Woods, in return, appeared in several advertisements endorsing the Tiger-branded and other drinks.
5.     Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors, NBA)
Stephen Curry is an active basketball player and point guard for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. The athlete holds numerous awards from the NBA, BET, NCAA, and other associations, illuminating their bright career.
Under Armour – $215 Million
The Under Armour sponsorship for Stephen is estimated at around $20 million per year for 10 years. Signage shoes, apparel, and accessories are the result of the collaboration between the two, with rumors of an extension worth a billion.
Market Size and Platform/Media in Focus
With the above details and the growing revenues of the global sports sector in consideration, it is lucrative for investments. Not only that, but the events also get nationwide plus international coverage, engaging fans across the globe. The marketing influence of such events is evident in the most famous and surprising cases. Adidas paid Pele $120,000 in the 1970 World Cup to tie his shoelaces before the playoff to grab viewers’ attention. Review the following charts for a quick comparison of the market size.
1.     The Big Four Market Size
As the revenues are growing with time, so does the potential for profitable investments in this sector. Besides the big four, the MLS, Boxing, MMA, Tennis, Golf, and other segments are also worth investing in. The bars reflect the revenue size of each sector, while the sections in each bar highlight the revenue heads.
Review the following structure for the breakup of the revenues and player salaries as a fraction of the total revenue.
Note that the player salaries are a major portion of the expense sheet. However, a stable income allows investors to attain them. Sponsorships, promotions, and other commercial activities add further to the aggregate business generation from these events.
2.     Platforms and Media
The transformation in sports viewership is evident with the advent of streaming services and the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model. By 2025, it is anticipated that over 90 million people in the U.S. will stream sports events at least once a month, a notable jump from 57 million in 2021. This shift underscores the increasing demand for convenient, on-demand sports content, fundamentally changing how fans engage with their favorite sports.
To excel in this evolving era of sports consumption, investors need to embrace an Omni channel strategy that not only enhances viewership but also collects valuable behavioral data about their audience. Investing in digital sports platforms is crucial for capturing detailed insights into fan engagement and preferences.
By incorporating over-the-air broadcasts, some teams can potentially triple their audience reach within their home states and grow their fan base. However, this expansion might not provide significant insights into the newly reached fans, as data collection on over-the-air viewers is limited. Therefore, investing in digital sports platforms becomes even more essential to gain a deeper understanding of fan behavior and maximize engagement.
When Passion Becomes Profession – Growth is Certain
Because we love sports, we are willing to take out time, spend money, and line up to watch events. It is a generational kind of passion where age, gender, ethnicity, and race don’t matter. What really matters are the scenes of our favorite players making or breaking records. However, we never think of investing in what we so much enjoy. What if it becomes our trade, let alone our hobby?
Growth is imminent when we invest our time in doing what we love, and the digital era opens up possibilities. Crowdfunding platforms and social media are there to raise awareness as well as funds for the venture. A venture where fans join hands to build platforms where they not only enjoy or discuss but also earn. Plus point? You get to enjoy the company of your beloved players.
Reasons to Invest in Social Networking DApps
DApps are the way to the future as decentralization and cryptocurrencies gain momentum. They employ blockchain technology to record transactions, distribute data, and secure data. Let’s unravel the reasons for investing in social networking DApps, which allow fans to earn from events.
1.     Rising Demand for Decentralized Apps
The primary reason for the rising demand for DApps is the recent reveals of how digital platforms treat user data. Regardless of the end goal, users are suspicious of how much they know about us and how much they sell data to marketers. Secondly, people want to leverage their content for their good rather than contributing to the fortune of billionaires. Moreover, the ability of DApps to limit regulatory control is another valid reason for the rise in demand.
2.     Sponsorships & Engagement
By investing in a social network, we can attract profitable sponsorships and higher engagement from fans. Anyone who is doing a digital business knows the importance of generating traffic to a website or app. In addition, the platform might provide for merchandising inventory, affiliate selling, and advertising or promotions.
3.     Eliminating Platform Bias
People are seen criticizing clubs, media persons, and platforms for their bias against or in favor of certain players. Some even argue that incompetent players overshadow the rising stars, which suppresses talent acquisition and game spirit. Social networking DApps can eliminate this bias as fans get to choose, support, promote, or criticize players without any outside influence.
4.     Ownership Benefits
Collectively owning a platform allows you to sign contracts with rising players, arrange meetups, and sponsor favorites. Besides that, the income from the platform might also be distributed to investors as dividends, far surpassing other options. Moreover, players charge for appearances and brand endorsements that the platform might handle as an agent to earn commissions.
5.     ParentPass – A Success Story
Although not a DApp, ParentPass is the most relevant example of a social networking app in our portfolio. The app was meant to assist with parenting tips, finding nearby events, personalized recommendations, and more. Childcare becomes simple and easy with access to resources, local events, safety guidelines, and important updates. Building a similar app for sporting events and fan engagement won’t be that challenging, employing blockchain and solidity development.
Essential Services for DApps
This section presents the list of essential services that a software development company must offer for developing social networking DApps. Unique Software Development not only offers all these services but also has a strong expertise and experience in them. It can supercharge your projects for maximum fan engagement, value addition, cutting-edge technologies, and high-tech features. Its diverse regional offices in location such as Dallas and Austin in Texas, Washington, California, and New York aid in assisting your software development outsourcing needs.
1.     Mobile App Development
Mobile app development is the basic building block for such solutions, including diverse mobile OS and cross-platform functionalities. It consists of a user-centric UI design and aids conversion with an enticing user journey and UX design. The app allows fans to stay connected to the events on the go, regardless of their location and leisure interval.
2.     Web App Development
Web app development allows users to access the app through web browsers, no matter what devices they use. A responsive web app adjusts the UI for the screen size and resolution of the user device, delivering amusing experiences. Web applications bypass the need to download and install the apps locally and maintain them for storage space or performance.
3.     Custom Software Development
Custom software development new York is a necessary aspect of such a solution to embed insightful admin panels and visual business intelligence tools. They allow the monitoring and controlling of various app dynamics like access controls, account handling, and performance optimization essentials. Custom software will also keep track of the data sources, changes, and security parameters.
4.     Blockchain Development
Blockchain development provides the foundation for building DApps using the Ethereum platform for enterprise-grade decentralized applications. The technology employs smart contracts, solidity development, tokenization, and independent data exchange using a scalable Hyperledger.
5.     AI & ML Integrations
The upsurge of artificial intelligence tools and technology allows us to use it in solutions for an edge. Chatbots, virtual assistants, and AI program managers monitor the essential system metrics and optimize them for maximum returns. Machine learning identifies patterns and suggests fine-tuning techniques to increase engagement and facilitate conversions.
Conclusion
Social networking DApps for sports will rise one day for sure, so it’s better to start investing in them sooner. Enterprise investors are already in the market with digital platforms and mobile apps. However, fans and enthusiasts might also claim their fair share through crowdfunding and social media campaigns. It not only has immense benefits to offer but also will add to the charm of sports by bringing new talent.
Unique Software Development has the best capabilities, decades’ worth of experience, and the latest technologies all under one roof. It offers you a custom solution for your distinct business model, whether it is a DApp, Blockchain solution, or a social networking platform. Even if you intend to unify all three in a comprehensive platform, we are ready to take on this challenge and attain your goals.
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