I would start by saying my first memory of sports consumption was when I was young at home. Like probably many others I grew up watching sports at home with my dad. He especially had a love for football. My family is big into sports so I was always surrounded by it. Hanging around the living room there was also some form of sport information playing, whether it was a game, interview or documentary. This was something I was accustomed to. When my grandpa or dad didn’t have the TV accessible, best believe they’ll have the radio on in the car. Especially rushing home from church to catch the Sunday games.
I have been an athlete all my life but when I came to Old Dominion to play volleyball oddly enough I spent less time taking in sport media consumption. It had become my world so of course I was a part of it and could not avoid it. But I found myself finding information from social media and word of mouth. I spent less time watching games but still felt very connected when it came to stories and outcomes. I believe that the power of social media has presented itself now more than ever. I still find myself very interested in sports but platforms like TikTok have changed where my interest lies. With this platform popularity there are different aspects of sports that are seen by people who may have not been that interested in sports. Many people may be simply following an athlete solely based on their attractive sense of style and fashion. Another example would be the love for content from NFL and NBA players and their significant others as they go through their day to day lives. This has created emotional ties for myself and many others. I think this type of sports media consumption leads followers to ultimately follow the games and other events associated with them. You could say the method of consumption ultimately comes full circle.
I think that in the next few years sports media will continue to try to expand its influence by reaching and working with different industries, thus reaching a broader audience. This broader audience will allow for different types of marketing campaign ideas. I truly believe the world of sports communication is going in the right direction especially as the new generation begins to enter into the workforce. In regards to the sports media industry in general I wish there was a simpler and concise way to stream sports that is efficient for all parties involved. I think that we are in sort of a transition phase so these are all conversations and problem solving situations that must happen.
