Athletes as Influencers: How to Cash In on the Sports Marketing Boom.

Getting the attention of a specific audience has become quite a challenge for brands. The old-school 30-second TV and radio ads aren't the only options anymore, as the internet and social media keep growing. Marketers are having a tough time figuring out the right mix of platforms and innovative ideas to effectively share their brand's message.

Sports offer a global stage for brands to connect with passionate fans. Sports advertising has exploded over the years, taking various forms, with the classic ones being stadium and team sponsorships. Athletes have also played a big role in building an emotional connection between brands and consumers as brand ambassadors.

Nowadays, with millions of people checking out digital sports content every day, athletes are using online platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube to connect with their fans, essentially becoming "influencers." Brands are catching on to this trend and are creating marketing strategies that capitalize on this relationship between their brand ambassadors and their followers, tailoring content to suit different social media platforms.

Let's take a quick look at some industries that heavily invest in sports ambassadors:|

Beverage Industry: Sports and favorite drinks often go hand in hand for fans. Giants like Pepsi and Coca-Cola have enlisted top athletes like Kyrie Irving, Sergio Aguero, and LeBron James to promote their products. Energy drinks like Red Bull also use athletes like Leticia Bufoni and Max Verstappen for endorsements.

Auto Industry: The connection between automobiles and sports has always been strong. Companies like Nissan have athlete ambassadors, including Usain Bolt and Naomi Osaka. Mercedes is endorsed by legends like Roger Federer and Lewis Hamilton.

Sportswear Brands: Big names in sportswear have been using athletes in their marketing for ages. Football rivals Messi (Adidas) and Ronaldo (Nike) are prime examples. Puma has Usain Bolt, while Reebok aims to break into the UFC market with Conor McGregor.

Luxury Watch Manufacturers: Companies like Rolex sponsor athletes like Roger Federer and F1 drivers Nico Rosberg. Tag Heuer signs stars like Alexander Rossi and footballers like Mats Hummels. Seiko has endorsements from Novak Djokovic and Nascar driver Jimmy Johnson.

Banks and Financial Institutions: In the US, BBVA Compass sponsors NBA teams and superstars like Kevin Durant and James Harden. Opus Bank has enlisted Klay Thompson, while JP Morgan Chase has a deal with Steph Curry. Qatar National Bank recently made Neymar their global ambassador.

These are just a few examples, and many more industries are getting in on the trend of using sports stars to promote their brands. This presents a great opportunity for athletes to earn extra income and gain widespread visibility.