The sports industry has evolved through its fascinating journey, which has made sports personalities into global stars. However, it was not the case in the initial days, and you will find how these sports personalities became so famous that they are now the biggest influencers, which also created market value for them.
For example, fake tattoos in Los Angeles and other locations done by sports personalities are getting popular in other parts of the world, and people in those regions are following the tattoo trends of sports stars.
In this article, we will study the evolution where sports personalities turned into stars and how they have created a wider band of influence.
The Early Days
Sports in the initial phase were not played in an organized manner or under an association. It has been played through the people who used to have an interest in that particular sport and was generally a humble affair.
Later came the organizations that have taken the sport under a banner and took it to the national and international stages. Then, the concept of “Sports Star,” as we know it today, was non-existent. It was then the era of local athletes who used to play well, and their game used to get fame within their community.
Due to the lack of a proper communication channel, the fame remained within their immediate vicinity.
Television Revolution
Then comes the television, which has been a major turning point in the 20thCentury. Ajor sporting events now get broadcast, and for the first time, people enjoy the magic of exploring sporting events from their living rooms and bars.
These newfound communication channels, for the first time, made these fantastic sports personalities the household names. For example, NBA stars like the famous Michael Jordan and Lebron James and soccer stars like Maradona and Pele all became the sensation in the countries.
Endorsements and Commercialization
It is the third step in creating sports stars as a truly global personality. Endorsements and brand deals have made them really good money as brands are now craving to have an impact on featuring them in the sales and advertising of the company’s products.
This move has no longer made the stars a sports personality but a marketing machine that gives rise to the concepts of sponsorships and large brand deals. The marketability of these sports personalities has made them influential figures and created an impact on pop culture.
The airbrush artists in Houston, TX, or from other places, are helping these personalities by creating wonderful tattoos that they can endorse.
The Digital Age
In the 21stCentury, the game has entirely changed. The rise of social media has humanized these sports personalities as they are no longer only visible on ads and television screens but on a more personal level, which has increased the appeal of these players.
Now, athletes like Serena Williams and Cristiano Ronaldo are no longer players; they are now “Stars” with global reach and presence in every country through social media.
Hence, the transformation of sports personalities to stars shows how the game and media together catapulted this massive change in the sporting industry.
