Sports Sponsorship and Advertising

Sports Sponsorships and endorsements are probably the biggest thing that puts some athletes in the position that they are in.  Athletes such as David Beckham and Kobe Bryant are amongst the biggest sponsored players of our time.  This whole ideas of companies paying individuals and giving them free merchandise in order to build brand awareness is absolutely brilliant. Growing up as kids, we all aspire to be like our favorite athlete because these are the people we look up to at that age.  Applying this concept to a marketing technique and turning it into an opportunity for selling a product can be considered one of the most effective marketing methods out there.  Here is a picture of Beckham and his sponsor in the background.

http://jasminedotiwala.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/david-beckham-launch-Adidas-Originals-55.jpg

Athletes all over the world can get paid up to millions if a huge company comes along and decides that they want to sponsor them.  Only athletes that are of a certain caliber receive this opportunity and recognition.  When consumers see that their favorite public figures are rocking a new pair of nike's or hitting a new set of Taylormade clubs, they are going to want to go purchase that item.  It may not feel like you are being influenced by somebody else but it definitely plays a huge role in marketing, otherwise so many companies would not continue to sponsor athletes today.

One of the biggest names in sports when it comes to sponsorships and endorsements is none other than Tiger Woods.  Before the scandal broke out he was sponsored bye Nike, EA Sports, AT&T, and others all at once.  A perfect example of a bunch of different companies advertising through one person.  Almost like a co-op one could argue.

Sometimes, athletes will agree to do commercials for certain products or services as well.  This is probably the most effective way in which a company can sponsor a player, if they can get them TV time outside of their profession.  Here is one of the most classic  examples of this idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r5Jf_ZU9eA

Athletes are people that we tend to look up too in todays society.  When companies take advantage sponsoring athletes they are engaging in one of the most effective marketing campaigns they can.  Sports sponsorship is something that will be around for years to come, and I can't wait to see how it will be affecting companies in the future.