Highlight Reel: Is Formula 1 Making a Mistake? 🏎️
Plus, Angel and Reese's lean-in to fan requested collaboration, and how Premier League coverage in the U.S. is embracing Shared Reality...
Welcome to Sports Pundit, the sports business newsletter delivering insights from across the industry.
In today’s email;
Is F1 Making a Mistake? 🏎️
A Match Made in Heaven 😇
Cosm Goes Viral 🍿
Happy Friday!
Andy 😊 🙏
P.S. Congrats to Colin, our latest ‘Contributor of the Week,’ an award given out to reward positive contributions to the SP WhatsApp Group.
Other honourable mentions go to Cherry, Sara, Andrew, and Alex.
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THE NAME GAME
Is Formula 1 Making a Mistake? 🏎️
There are reports that Formula 1 has been reaching out to certain F1 content creators, advising them to cease using the 'F1' name in their branding.
Sources indicate that these creators have been instructed to avoid using the term ‘F1’ for monetization purposes. Consequently, many have been compelled to rebrand their content to mitigate the risk of having their channels or accounts suspended.
For example, "F1r the Girls" has now rebranded to "Paddock Project," and F1 influencer Mikaela Kostaras recently altered her social media handles from "shelovesf1" to "shelovesvrooms."
Reed Duchscher, best known as the manager of YouTuber MrBeast, has expressed his concerns that this decision could be a misstep from Liberty Media, who have, until now, made so many positive advances since coming into the sport:
What he said:
“I’ve discussed this multiple times over the past five years, but I still think leagues need to be working more with creators not less.
The NBA currently partners with creators through a program that allows for an ad revenue split on YouTube, giving them full rights to game footage, logos, etc. The NFL has continued to expand their creator relationships with flag football, Sunday ticket and other activations around games. F1 has just taken a major step backwards recently by forcing creators to remove any mentions of "F1" from their social media handles and content.
They’re about to repeat the mistake that other sports leagues made early on—giving creators zero leeway with their brand. I don’t think they realise how important YouTube is to the sport's ecosystem. All the highlight videos, podcasts, news coverage, and content associated with F1 are big reasons why the sport continues to grow and attract new viewers (aside from Drive to Survive).
F1 will quickly realise that prohibiting creators from using "F1" and its footage is a major mistake for the brand's growth.”
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HIGHLIGHTS
Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-setting YouTube channel hits 30 million subscribers In two days 📹
Topgolf Callaway Brands is conducting a formal strategic review of its businesses and exploring a potential spin-off the Topgolf segment ⛳️
The NFL has scheduled a meeting of all 32 team owners for Aug. 27 to vote on a rule that would allow a portion of franchises to be sold to private equity 🏈
The Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge, the Women’s World Cup of Tennis, has announced a new multi-year global partnership with e.l.f. Beauty 🎾
Chelsea FC has secured a new sleeve partnership with entertainment platform Fever covering the men’s, women’s and academy teams for the 24/25 season ⚽️
AFC Bournemouth has announced a new partnership with WWE 2K, becoming the first Premier League club to form a tag team with the video game series 🎮
ASKED AND ANSWERED
Reese’s and All-Star Angel Reese Team Up for a Fan-Requested Merch Collection 🍫
Reese's has joined forces with none other than Chicago Sky sensation Angel Reese to create a limited-edition merch collaboration.
After sifting through thousands of comments from Reese’s and Angel Reese fans, the iconic chocolate and peanut butter brand has collaborated with the rookie double-double queen for a first-of-its-kind fan-inspired collaboration.
The collection is a tribute to the fans, featuring designs that pay homage to "The Reese’s Pieces" and "The Queen" herself, reflecting Angel Reese's unique style and fans passion for all things Reese’s.
As Jordan Guard, Founder & MD of the Women's Sports Alliance, explains, the partnership not only elevates Angel's brand but also brings tangible benefits to Reese’s Pieces and her WNBA team:
What she said:
“Here’s how this collaboration is a win for the athlete, the brand, and the club...
Elevating Angel Reese’s Profile:
For Angel Reese, this partnership is a strategic move that enhances her visibility beyond the basketball court. By collaborating with a globally recognised brand, Angel extends her reach to a broader audience, including those who may not be avid basketball fans but are drawn to her style and influence. The endorsement income from this partnership is a significant financial boost, allowing Angel to capitalise on her growing popularity. In addition, the custom merchandise collection adds a new dimension to her brand, showcasing her creativity and personal style, which resonates deeply with her fan base. This partnership strengthens her profile as not just an athlete but a cultural icon, further solidifying her place in the public eye.
Tapping into a New Fanbase:
For Reese’s Pieces, the collaboration with Angel Reese represents an alignment of values and vision. By partnering with Angel, Reese’s is able to connect with her engaged fanbase, many of whom are young, engaged, and loyal to her brand. This partnership allows Reese’s to tap into the sports market, associating its iconic products with the excitement and energy of basketball. The exclusive merchandise collection not only serves as a new revenue stream but also reinforces the brand’s image as one that celebrates individuality and boldness, much like Angel herself. This strategic alignment with a rising star in the sports world enhances the brand's relevance and appeal, particularly among a younger demographic.
Boosting Chicago Sky’s Visibility:
Chicago Sky also stands to gain significantly from Angel Reese’s collaboration with Reese’s. As Angel’s profile rises through this major endorsement, so too does the visibility of her WNBA team. With more people tuning in to watch Angel play, the Chicago Sky can expect increased viewership and fan engagement. Additionally, the association with a major global brand like Reese’s adds credibility to Angel’s status as a top-tier athlete, which in turn benefits Chicago Sky. As fans purchase the Angel Reese x Reese’s merch, they are likely to form a deeper connection with Angel, which Chicago Sky can capitalise on by engaging with a stronger, more engaged fanbase. As consumers indulge in Reese’s Pieces, the brand association will keep Angel, and by extension, Chicago Sky top of mind, further reinforcing the team’s presence in the cultural landscape.”
FURTHER READING
You’ve heard of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, but what about Shared Reality? By Andy Marston 🍻
‘It’s gone berserk’: flag football rapidly catching on in UK By Robert Booth, The Guardian 🏈
London City Lionesses’ owner Michele Kang: ‘This is a serious investment’ By Tom Garry, The Observer ⚽️
Driving Equality Forward By Cory Bernstein 🏁
Topgolf's Issues By Jared Doerfler, Perfect Putt ⛳️
How does Michelin Guide's business work? By Trung Phan, SatPost 🛞
THE PODCAST
Want to hear more from my conversation with Peer?
We discuss Peer’s Journey to the Bundesliga, the arrival of England captain Harry Kane, the launch of Fortuna for All, appealing to the US soccer fan, the NFL and playing internationally, overcoming the language problem, and much much more.
Listen to the full podcast via the link below - and I’d love to hear what you think!👇
JOB BOARD
Head of Commercial Digital Strategy and Innovation - The FA (London, UK)
Managing Director - Baller League UK (London, UK)
Global Partnerships Sales Manager - Juventus FC (Turin, Italy)
Director, Video Gaming (Licensing) - National Football League (NFL) (New York, US)
Media Relations Manager (Temporary) - TMRW Sports (Florida, US)
To see these jobs, and more jobs like these, visit the Sports Pundit Job Board, hosted by Peak 72.
Do you have a job you’d like to promote to the amazing readers of this newsletter? Email me 📩
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New York 🗽 (Wednesday 28th August @ Maxwell Social)
London 🎡 (Wednesday 28th August @ Eight Club London, Moorgate)
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nice F1 story. You should get Carsten Thode on your pod, he'll give a good view of whether it's a mistake or not. (it is)