Roastbrief’s Post

Fellow Brand Marketers, gather 'round! Sports have been ingrained as part of our worldwide culture for decades. It's competition, it's entertainment, and it's also a big, huge moneymaker. From merchandise to ticket sales, to broadcast rights and more, sports generated revenue is in the billions. And now we are seeing sports betting going mainstream. 👉 ESPN has an official sportsbook, ESPN Bet. 👉 DraftKings Inc. Draft Kings has restaurants dotted all across Middle America. 👉 FanDuel is the official daily fantasy sports partner of the National Hockey League (NHL). The point: We see an increasing need for brand and experiential marketing moments alongside traditional consumer packaged goods and providers that target all of the major Tier 1 and Tier 2 sports teams and leagues. If the potential is in the billions right now, just think of what it may be in a few years with this new vertical opportunity. #sportsbetting #brandmarketing #brandactivations #marketingtrends

Quite a long time ago, I began my career at what is now known as NBC Sports Chicago when the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks and Comcast established a joint venture to create a new regional sports network to serve sports fans in the Chicagoland region. With Comcast as the managing partner and the #1 Pay TV distributor in the market, the parties made a bet that they could create more value vs continuing their relationship with FOX Sports. In the nearly two decades since, what began as Comcast SportsNet Chicago was later rebranded to NBC Sports Chicago after NBCUniversal created a national sports network with the same name. More recently, the Cubs existed the JV and began Marquee Sports Network believing their brand equity and fandom held disproportionate value than the former JV structure. Around the same time, AT&T was in the process of getting out of RSNs and more recently Bally Sports has found itself in bankruptcy. Without live sports rights, the affiliate fees that NBC Sports Chicago currently enjoys will be reduced given key terms in programming contracts with distributors, likely leading to the eventual sunset similar to what NBCUniversal decided to do when it shut down the national network, and move live sports to USA Network and Peacock. As a YouTube TV subscriber in the Bay Area, I had access to sister network NBC Sports Bay Area & California given the bargaining power NBCUniversal has with distributors when negotiating carriage deals. When The Walt Disney Company sold their newly acquired Fox Sports RSNs based on regulator requirements, the Bally Sports Networks lost the benefit of being packaged with other Fox channels such as Fox News. Virtual MVPDs like Hulu Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV selectively chose which markets to offer local RSNs, making a bet that non-sports fans wouldn't miss those channels. Stadium will now take on a new challenge in Chicago as an independent RSN and local sports fans may find it harder to find the network on traditional TV as Marquee Sports Network and others have found. Stadium will likely offer a DTC option and its success will impact the rosters of the Bulls, White Sox and Blackhawks as this local revenue source is largely protected from revenue sharing in their respective leagues. As one of the original CSN Chicago launch team members, this brings a sadness but also a reminder of the times we live in. Now @stadium

Recently, the NBA made headlines securing a remarkable $76 billion media deal. This deal represents one of the largest in sports broadcasting, underlining NBA's leadership in the media landscape. Unquestionably, this move will usher in unprecedented change in the sports marketing ecosystem. For Warner Bros. Discovery, this strategic deal grants entry into the exciting world of sports broadcasting. They will have access to an extensive catalog of sports content, offering opportunities to target untapped markets. Moreover, this venture signals the intensified competition with streaming behemoths, pushing WBD into becoming a leader in the sports media arena. On another note, the impact for the Women's National Basketball Association

The surge in enterprise values, with the aggregate hitting $216 billion, is not just a testament to the growing financial allure of sports teams but also underscores the strategic shift towards diversified sports empires. The Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment's monumental leap post-acquisition of the Washington Commanders exemplifies how strategic investments can significantly elevate a company's market position. It's also the broader implications that catch my attention. The merging of traditional sports business with new revenue models, from mixed-use real estate to digital distribution channels, signals a shift in how sports entities are viewed - not just as teams, but as comprehensive entertainment platforms. This evolution speaks volumes about the future of sports management and investment, and it's a wake-up call for anyone in this space to rethink and innovate.  #SportsInvesting #SportsTech 

As March Madness kicks into higher gear, the NHL and NBA approach playoff time, and MLB shifts from spring training to its season, there's a lot of sports for media buyers to consider investing in. But what if the better way to approach an increasingly complex sports media marketplace (streaming, RSNs morphing, pricing going bonkers) is to target the fan wherever they are, before during and after the game? This Digiday story tries to look into how to go about that. Thanks to Adam Schwartz, the folks at Playfly Sports including Michael Schreiber and Craig Sloan, Chris Weil at Horizon Sports & Experiences, Chris Walsh at Apollo Partners, as well as Jeff Gagne and Angelique Hernandez at Havas Media Network. My story: https://lnkd.in/e3j3xHxc

The Varsity * Comcast-Diamond Sports deadline is less than two weeks away--a negotiation that may determine the future of the regional sports network business. In this issue, I spell out exactly what's at stake for both sides for this high-stakes negotiation. * The entire sports business is paying attention to that Comcast-Diamond Sports negotiation. To wit: take a look at Chicago, where Jerry Reinsdorf is considering taking his Bulls and White Sox local rights to the digital sports network Stadium as negotiations with NBC Sports Chicago have been put on hold. * Golf executives are coming up with lots of reasons why Masters viewership dropped by 20 percent this year. It's not all because Scottie Scheffler has a boring personality. (No drama and perfect weather also play a part.) * From pantsgate to Olympic uniforms to the Caitlin Clark jersey fiasco, Nike has had a lot of bad press recently. It's no wonder that Nike's CEO was forced to publicly address an "innovation slowdown" on CNBC. * The NFL will have another package of rights to sell later this year, as ESPN's deal to carry the NFL Draft ends in 2025. Odds are that ESPN will renew it; but expect other media companies to at least kick the tires on the package. Plus, ESPN executives are looking outside the company as it looks to replace Norby Williamson--a huge strategy shift for a company that historically has promoted from within. https://lnkd.in/eXybxiVe

Women’s sports are on a historic upswing—breaking viewership records, filling stadiums, and finally getting the media spotlight they’ve long deserved. From packed arenas to partnerships with purpose, women’s sports are redefining what’s possible in our industry. The best part? This movement isn’t just reshaping sports; it’s setting new standards for sponsorships. In Part One of our new series, Beyond the Big Leagues, we unpack what’s fueling this momentum and what brands need to understand to keep up. Here’s a hint: it’s about far more than logo placements. Authenticity, lasting partnerships, and purpose-driven support are the name of the game now. This one’s a must-read: https://lnkd.in/gM-EzdGE #SportsSponsorship #SportsMarketing #Sponsorships #WomenInSports

Sports sponsorships are an effective marketing channel because ________. This is where you fill in the blank 😃 If we were to fill in the blank, it would go something like this: .... 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘺! Bonus answer: Sports sponsorships can generate positive word-of-mouth, increased social media engagement, and media coverage ‼

🚨 This is the highest-rated ad (as per System1) this Super Bowl Season; a campaign that brings to life a scenario that fans everywhere can relate to. 😎 The beer brand is known to portray active living and social connections in its films. The spot doubles down on the brand narrative where sports and entertainment legends enjoy an impromptu game of pick-up beach soccer to show that whether you're a legend or an everyday athlete, you don't have to choose between being active and being social. Here are some of the reasons why this ad topped the chart: a) Perfect setting: Who doesn't like to spend time on the beach playing football and having a beer? ✅ b) Smart use of celebrity: While using a celebrity might not always guarantee success, this ad smartly uses the lead celebrity (Mr. Lionel Messi) for what they are known for, in this case, Soccer. The ad also features Jason Sudeikis (from Ted Lasso) and Dan Merino (a renowned American footballer) ✅ c) Uplifting Soundtrack: It's difficult to watch this and not feel happy! ✅ Brand: Anheuser-Busch/ Michelob Ultra Agency: Wieden + Kennedy #marketing #advertising #creative #ads #superbowl #football #highestrated #campaigns

How Ally made the biggest men’s sports event of the year about women The financial services company brought more than 100 marketing and sports leaders together during the Super Bowl to talk about investing in women’s sports. "participants were focused on the women’s game—not just women’s football, but women’s sports across the board, and how brands are evaluating their investments in the growing space." #womensSports https://lnkd.in/eyBVzbBQ