The Internet and Its Dramatic Effect on the World of Sports

How the average sports fan follows the game

How sports merchandising has become a global venture

How leagues, teams, and players market themselves

Sports: A Brief History

Athenian bronze sculptures from 2700 BC depict man engaged in sport

The first Olympics was held in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece

700-year period in the Middle Ages of rough and violent sports played between villagers in England and Italy

Modern era of sport is thought to have begun in the late-1840’s with the development of rules for baseball and football in North America

The Fan Experience

Pre-Internet Methods Reading national sports magazines

Reading columns in local newspapers

Looking at stats and standings in the local paper

Watching local teams on regional broadcast television

Occasionally watching an out-of-market team on a national broadcast

The Internet Sports Fan Experience Watching full games and highlights from around the world

Tracking live/real-time player transactions

Chatting with other fans of your favorite sport or team

Researching player and team statistics and standings

Access to sports writers and live bloggers from around the world

Merchandising

Pre-Internet Methods

Local fan shops

Sporting goods stores

Baseball card and memorabilia shows

Internet Sports Merchandising Convenient shopping for any team’s gear

Buying, selling, and trading memorabilia with collectors from around the globe

Access to hard-to-find and one-of-a-kind items

Marketing

Pre-Internet Methods

Television and radio advertising

Print ads and billboards

Local ticket brokers

Internet Sports Marketing Opt-in e-mail advertising and sales

Online ticket services

Team websites

Individual player web sites

The Internet’s Financial Impact On Sports Merchandising and Marketing

Current advertising revenue from sports-related sites is $1.1 Billion

Up from just $400 Million in 2006

Internet marketing now accounts for 10% of all global sports revenue