The emerging athlete era, as seen through NFL Players
As we gear up for Super Bowl "Swifty-eight," let's take a moment to explore the NFL's journey and how media evolution has empowered players to grow their independence, influence, income, and impact.
Early Sports (1850 - 1950) 🗞️
In the early days of sports, athletes were local heroes who earned from ticket sales. Fans kept up with them through radio broadcasts and newspapers
Era Athlete: Jim Thorpe
A Native American multi-sport star, Jim Thorpe excelled in American football, track, baseball, and basketball. He gained fame for his success in the 1912 Olympics and as a key figure in the early NFL. He earned around $200 to $250 per game during his peak years.
The TV Era (1950 - 1980) 📺
TV changed everything. Athletes became famous across the country. They earned more from ads and had trading cards that fans cherished. Fans couldn't get enough of them.
Era Athlete: Joe Namath
"Broadway Joe" Namath became a charismatic pop-culture icon and sex symbol with numerous endorsement deals. In 1965, he signed a groundbreaking contract worth approximately $427,000 with the New York Jets over three years, making him the highest-paid professional football player of his time.
Globalization (1980 - 2000) 🛰️
The world got smaller, and athletes got bigger. Players became global icons. Cable TV networks reached audiences worldwide, and athletes earned more from international deals.
Era Athlete: Joe Montana
Joe Montana's global influence surged during globalization, highlighted by a $10 million contract in 1990. He has appeared in commercials for LA gear, Skechers, Guinness, Schick, Papa John’s, Mastercard, and AT&T. Interestingly, he earned more from endorsements following his retirement than he made during his active days as a player.
Digitalization (2000 - 2020) 🖥️
In the digital age, athletes evolved into creators, leveraging digital platforms to connect with fans, monetize their presence, and cultivate their brands. Fan attention shifted from teams to individual athletes.
Era Athlete: Tom Brady
Tom Brady secured a final two-year deal with the Buccaneers worth $50 million and earned lucrative endorsements with brands like Under Armour and Aston Martin. He co-founded the sports and wellness brand TB12 and the media company Religion of Sports.
Additionally, Brady co-produced his documentary series "Tom vs. Time," streamed on Facebook Watch, and "Man in the Arena," created in collaboration with ESPN. Tom Brady has a massive following with 15 million followers on Instagram.
The Emerging Athlete Era (2020 - ...) 📱
Athletes have become entrepreneurs. They use AI, virtual technology, and blockchain to grow their influence and earnings. Fans directly support, connect with, and spend money on athletes they know, like and trust.
Era Athlete: Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes signed a $503 million contract in 2020 and has already won two Super Bowls. He's signed endorsement deals with Adidas, Oakley, and State Farm, invested in the MLB team Kansas City Royals and the women's soccer team Kansas City Current, and launched his NFT platform, Museum of Mahomes.
He was featured in Netflix's "Quarterback" and has over 6 million Instagram followers. His wife, Brittany Matthews, has 2 million followers and is also an accomplished entrepreneur. Their two dogs, Steel and Silver, have over 200,000 Instagram followers.
Welcome to the Athlete Era! 🌟
in addition to being fierce competitors, athletes have also become entertainers, entrepreneurs, and investors. They benefit from the power of globalization, digitization, media changes, and their strong personal brands to grow their independence, influence, income, and overall impact.
Fans are now directly backing the athletes they admire. This transformation doesn’t just benefit global superstars. The creator economy empowers athletes from all around the world to build brands and businesses beyond sports.
Enjoy #SBLVIII! 🏈
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