Social media has evolved into a crucial connection with sports, offering teams valuable insight into how to connect with fans and create immersive experiences. However, the relationship between social media and sports can be volatile.
For example, a recent incident with Kyler Murray and Nick Bosa shows how an athlete’s social media can hurt their reputation and limit future earnings. It’s important for athletes to approach social media with caution, and to make sure their accounts are managed well by publicists or agents.
Increasingly, athletes are using their social media platforms to share more of their daily lives with fans. This is often a good thing, as it allows fans to feel more connected to the players and their stories. It can also be an effective marketing tool for athletes, as a well-managed social media presence can increase brand awareness and potential sponsorship opportunities.
In addition, it can be used to promote training motivation and connect with communities. As a result, it’s important that coaches and athletic departments educate their athletes on how to use social media in a healthy way. For example, a recent studyopen_in_new of college basketball and swim athletes found that scrolling social media late at night can negatively impact their performance by reducing sleep quality and impairing decision-making, motor coordination, and inhibitory control.
It’s likely that these effects are greater for high profile athletes, as their personal social media is more publicly scrutinized. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the societal benefits of social media can outweigh the negatives if used effectively by athletes and their support teams.