Fans Embrace New NCAA Rules Allowing Athletes to Cash In: Horizon…

Horizon Media

“Fans understand that sponsorships can be an opportunity for student-athletes,” said Marnie Heard, SVP, Managing Director, WHY. “This respect and admiration can also lead to brand preference and engagement – including opening their wallets for brands sponsoring college athletes.”

NEW YORK (PRWEB) October 07, 2021

Marketers who take advantage of new NCAA rules allowing college athletes to cash in on their name, image, and likeness (NIL) will not only grab fans’ attention, but also their respect, according to a new survey released by Horizon Media and Scout Sports and Entertainment. The survey revealed that almost 60 percent of “avid” fans said they were more likely to respect marketers who sponsor college athletes, and they were more inclined to purchase brands that sponsored their favorite college athletes.

The study was conducted by Horizon Media’s Scout Sports & Entertainment unit in partnership with Horizon’s WHY Group. Respondents included more than 500 fans who were identified as either “college sports fans” or “avid college sports fans.” “Fans” were defined as those who rated their levels of interest as 3-plus on a 10-point scale, while “avid fans” indicated an interest level of 8-plus.

“Fans understand that sponsorships can be a huge opportunity for student-athletes, and they appreciate this show of support from brands,” said Marnie Heard, SVP, Managing Director, WHY. “This respect and admiration can also lead to further brand preference and engagement down the line, with many fans willing to open their wallets for brands sponsoring college athletes.”

The NCAA ruled this summer that college athletes could be paid for sponsorships and other marketing opportunities, a practice that was previously prohibited. Since the decision was announced, speculation has been rampant in marketing circles that the move would lead to millions of dollars in endorsement deals from companies eager to sign up top stars in collegiate athletics to serve as spokespersons and influencers.

“Marketers correctly anticipated that the new NCAA rules would be a significant game changer for college sports, and this report reveals that the fans are solidly behind the move,” said Michael Neuman, Managing Partner, Scout Sports and Entertainment. “Brands considering signing athletes as influencers or endorsers now have assurances that the fans will welcome their support and look favorably on their products or services.”

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS

The study also revealed:

•     College sports fans are almost twice as likely to support the new NIL rules than oppose (47 percent vs. 25 percent respectively), and the support grows stronger among avid college sports fans who are nearly three times more likely to support than oppose (61 percent vs. 22 percent).
•     Almost 60 percent of avid fans and 41 percent of fans said they would “take notice” of brands that support athletes from their alma mater.
•     Sponsorship can shine a spotlight on sports that may not otherwise get visibility. While football and basketball typically get the most loyalty and attention, 54 percent of responding fans and 71 percent of avid fans said that sponsorship can bring attention to college sports that typically don’t get as much visibility.

While broadly there is strong support for the new rules, 70 percent of survey respondents who oppose the ruling warned that an influx of sponsorships could be distracting for students. Additionally, 72 percent said sponsorships could make college sports feel too much like pro-sports, creating the perception that athletes were playing for money over school pride.

The survey showed that fans want to ensure that academics are still emphasized for student athletes. When asked what they feel brands should be prioritizing for college sponsorships, the top response was “sponsoring athletes with a strong academic record.”

CONCLUSIONS

•     Given the support among college sports fans, and particularly avid fans, brands who haven’t already jumped into the space should begin negotiating deals with student-athletes.
•     Brands breaking into college sponsorships should consider linking sponsorship deals to academic performance – should the NCAA allow this connection – to reassure fans that work on the field isn’t interfering with work in the classroom. This could help draw a definitive line in the sand between pro and college sports, as fans worry that the boundaries between the two could be blurred.
•     While big-name football and basketball stars will provide the most visibility for brands, partnerships in lesser-known, niche sports and local markets may provide a more grassroots and meaningful way to connect with fans.
•     Brands hoping to establish customer loyalty in specific markets could leverage partnerships with local student-athletes as a starting point to build familiarity and connection with the broader community. This is also an opportunity for brands to partner with local athletes from diverse backgrounds and a way to demonstrate support and a corporate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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Horizon Media

Horizon Media, Inc, the largest U.S. media agency according to AdAge, delivers data-driven business outcomes for some of the world’s most innovative and ambitious brands. Founded in 1989, headquartered in New York, and with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto, the company employs 2,400 people and has media investments of more than $9 billion. Horizon Media’s fundamental belief is that business is personal, which drives its approach to connecting brands with their customers and engaging with its own employees resulting in industry-leading workplace satisfaction levels (Glassdoor). The company is consistently recognized by independent media outlets for its client excellence and has earned several “Best Workplaces” awards reflecting its commitment to DEI and the life and well-being of everyone at Horizon Media.

Scout Sports & Entertainment

Scout is the sports, entertainment, experiential, measurement and property consulting division of Horizon Media Inc., the largest U.S. media agency, delivering data-driven business outcomes for some of the world’s most innovative and ambitious brands. A nationally recognized and award-winning agency, Scout offers a full range of marketing capabilities, including sponsorship consulting, research, negotiation, strategy, partnership acquisition, activation, and endorsements. Other disciplines include media property creation, media rights and the most comprehensive sponsorship analytics across all verticals of measurement and media type. The division was launched and led by Michael A. Neuman, a recognized leader in sports marketing, sponsorship, and marketing partnerships.

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