ORCO Professionals and how they use SMC in sports management

3 ways ORCO Professionals use SMC in Sports Management

Sports management and the usage of social media has become extremely vital over the past couple years. Team Facebook pages are ubiquitous as are player Tweets.  Sports marketing has embraced social media because of the unprecedented connection it fosters with the fan base.  However, many players are still not cashing in on this opportunity. Here are a few reasons why players should manage their social media well.

1. To increase endorsement opportunities-For professional athletes looking to capitalize on the endorsement market before their playing days are over, social media can help.  Athlete social media usage can monetize their popularity because brands are looking to gain access to their fans.  By building a strong following on social media, an athlete improves his/her marketability to companies looking for ways to spend their sports marketing dollars
2. Develop a personal brand that connects with fans-
   The perfect example of an athlete using social media effectively to build a brand is Shaq.  Shaq’s social media platforms give fans a unique insight into his world that would not otherwise be available.  Thus creating a cult following that is eager to consume and spread his latest content.
3. Preparing for life after the last game-
   Social media is the new chapter in sports marketing and the intelligent athlete will boost his/her potential by engaging with their fan base in this new era.

Sports teams just dont have followers--they have rabid fans. For instance, the Los Angeles Lakers use social media to their advantage than any other organization does in sports. They have over 1.6 million followers on twitter, almost doubling the second best  team with the most followers. I've found this to be very interesting, and will be following and analyzing them through the rest of the semester.