Disruptive Play’s Post

What do World Chase Tag®, the Kings League, and the Savannah Bananas have in common? They’re transforming the way we think about sports, fan engagement, and sponsorships. By blending creativity, technology, and a fan-first approach, these emerging leagues are breaking the mold of traditional sports and capturing the attention of diverse audiences. From TikTok virality to bold, values-driven partnerships, they’re showing us what the future of sports could look like. In Part 3 of our Beyond the Big Leagues series, we unpack the strategies driving their success, how they’re reshaping fan interactions, and why brands are embracing their innovative approaches. Explore how these leagues are opening new doors for sponsors and redefining the sports experience here: https://lnkd.in/ewkAdd6S #Sports #Sponsorship #Marketing

Fanatics Fest turned NYC's Javits Center into a sports lover’s dream.   Here’s what made their festival so memorable. 1.     Experiential Moments Everywhere: -         NFL’s digital 40-yard dash -         NBA dunking challenges -         UFC’s Octagon experience -         Fans could try their skills on the field, court, and ring. 2.     Star-Studded Guest Lineup: -         Tom Brady and JAY-Z made appearances -         panels and meet-and-greets -         Exclusive pop-up 40/40 Club (Jay-Z’s sports bar chain) drew stars from sports, music, and entertainment. 3.     Fanatics Fest's app was all about 'attention retention': -         Fans were engaged engaged fans with games, polls, and live Q&A sessions. -         Interactive content made every session dynamic and memorable. 4.     Trading cards are still a big deal! -         350 booths of collectible cards -         rare finds like a Luka Doncic (Basketball) card priced at c.$500,000. -         Live card-breaking sessions with sports icons. 5.     Exclusive Merchandise: -         Lids X Topps Mystery Box contained surprises like World Series tickets. -         Fanatics Superstore offered a range of gear from major sports leagues -         Sports Illustrated museum displayed memorabilia worth over $100m! Event details; -         16th to 18th August 2024 -         400,000 sq ft -         70,000 attendees (20,000 more than anticipated) -         immersive brand activations, celebrity appearances and exclusive merchandise Fanatics Fest was more than just an event—it was an impressive celebration of sports culture, delivering immersive experiences that brought fans closer to the games and legends they love. Follow 💥 David Walton for daily Brand #loyalty, #fandom & Power of #feedback tips.

Our CEO and Principal, Jean Freeman, was recently featured in Digiday, discussing how independent agencies are expanding their sports practices. The article highlights how we’re leveraging the unique strengths of being an independent agency to drive growth for our sports clients through a fully integrated approach. Check out the article linked below to learn more! #TakeBiggerBites 

With no sponsorships, sales, or subscriptions, the NYT Games event wasn’t about revenue but to engage with their audiences, focusing instead on building community and loyalty. In a time when digital interactions often dominate, a live event like this creates real-world connections and solidifies the NYT’s role in the gaming and puzzle space. It also opens up potential future opportunities for the Times to explore live events as a new avenue for audience engagement, potentially leading to new revenue streams down the line. The strong turnout and enthusiasm suggest that there’s a market for such experiences, which could inspire other media and digital companies to explore similar strategies. #CustomerEngagement #NYTGames #Marketing #Branding

Moral of the story: We Hate Ads Okay don't shoot the messenger, but when that 5 second skip ad comes up I press that button too fast. And the general agreement is, most of us do the same. We hate it so much that we pay a premium just to not have them around. Companies will pay a premium for ads… Because they believe that traditional ads alone will drive brand recognition and engagement. But, when it comes to sports entertainment, we pay to watch. This leaves a huge opportunity for brands to position themselves in new strategic ways. Here’s my strategy to help you maximize your marketing efforts through sports sponsorship: The reality is, relying solely on traditional advertisements limits the emotional connection and engagement with your audience. The secret lies in leveraging sports sponsorship to create a more personal and engaging brand experience. Benefits of this approach include: - Enhanced brand loyalty and recognition. - Increased audience engagement and reach. By investing into sports sponsorship, you eliminate the impersonality of traditional ads and unlock a deeper connection with your audience. Here’s how to think about it: 1. Align your brand with sports teams or events that match your target audience's interests. 2. Use sports sponsorships to build community involvement and support. 3. Create memorable experiences that resonate with sports fans. #SportsSponsorship #BrandExposure #EmotionalConnection #FanEngagement #Motorsport #Racing

While millions will tune in to watch the games, younger viewers are flocking to social platforms like TikTok for their Olympic fix. This shift means brands and organizers are doubling down on their social media presence. Rahul Titus from Ogilvy says it best: "It's no longer enough to make a beautiful TV ad." Brands need a connected ecosystem, activating athletes on social media before, during, and after the event. How are you tuning into the Olympics? #Olympics #Advertising #BrandStrategy

Ron Jaradat published a new article that seeks to cover all the most important high level information about Sports Loyalty Programs. With Unyfy's bundle of loyalty and gamification features, sports rightsholders can launch a host of activations for their fans and this article serves as good starting point to begin envisioning ways to do just that. Discover best practices, methodologies, and even examples of loyalty programs from the NFL, NBA, and Adidas and finally, how Unyfy makes it possible. Read the full article, share it with a friend, or give us your thoughts below. P.S. We will be publishing a few pieces that dive deeper into loyalty programs for sports so make sure to subscribe, follow and all that good stuff. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/g58m-g-g

What if sports organizations could connect directly with their global fan base? Consider Manchester United, which says on its website that they have over 1 billion fans/followers worldwide. Imagine Manchester United offering live games and exclusive content directly to fans. If they charged $10 for a single match view to just 10% of their fan base, that's a staggering $100 million per game—far surpassing traditional media rights deals. It is not so straightforward but it makes us think about the possibility. 💡 Why It Makes Sense? Decentralizing sports rights allows teams to maximize their revenue potential and offers fans more personalized and accessible content without third parties such as ESPN or Genius Sports but rather with startups that could help with their tech stack. This shift could decrease the dominance of traditional broadcasters and pave the way for a more interactive, fan-centered sports experience. This model not only enhances fan engagement but also opens up new revenue streams, potentially eclipsing earnings from current media rights deals. Read more on https://lnkd.in/dPRfTUpe #SportsTech #DirectToConsumer #FanEngagement #Innovation #SportsHack

In recent years, major sports leagues around the world have been making more money independently of traditional federations. This is because they are using new business models and digital technology to reach fans directly. Here are some key strategies they are using: 1. Direct Media and Streaming Rights: Leagues are creating their own streaming platforms or signing exclusive deals with tech companies like Amazon or Apple to avoid traditional broadcasters. This lets leagues control their content, reach international fans directly, and keep more of the money they make. 2. Sponsorship and Branding Partnerships: Leagues are making direct deals with big brands in different industries. These deals include global sponsorships, naming rights for arenas and leagues, and marketing deals that give brands more visibility in games, digital platforms, and events. 3. Merchandising and Licensing: Leagues are selling more merchandise through online stores, global retail partnerships, and direct licensing. They are using their global fanbases to sell branded clothing, collectibles, and special merchandise, both in physical stores and online. 4. Ticket Sales and Fan Experiences: Leagues are offering more special experiences, like VIP packages, behind-the-scenes access, and unique fan activities like meet-and-greets or augmented reality (AR) experiences. Digital ticketing, which uses blockchain technology, makes ticket sales more transparent and can stop ticket scalping, which helps leagues make more money. 5. Esports and Gaming: Leagues are getting into esports by making digital versions of their sports. This attracts younger, tech-savvy fans. Also, partnerships with major video game companies like EA Sports (FIFA, Madden) bring in a lot of money and let leagues make money in new ways. 6. Data and Analytics: Leagues are making money from their data by partnering with betting companies, fan engagement platforms, and performance analytics. Many have deals with sports betting companies that let them make money from legal betting in some areas, by getting a share of the betting money that uses their official data and results. 7. International Expansion: Leagues are reaching out to international fans by organizing exhibition games, making leagues in other countries, and marketing their brands globally. This includes selling TV rights in other countries, opening offices in other regions, and making academies to find talent in other countries. 8. Social Media and Digital Content: Leagues are using social media to talk to fans and make fans more loyal to their brands. They are making money from ads, paid subscriptions, and special content, like behind-the-scenes videos and player interviews. By breaking away from traditional federations, these leagues have more control over their content, their fans, and how they make money, which means they can make more money in different ways.