Highlight Reel: Tinder Run with the Hottest New Trend 🔥👟
Plus, NY Liberty launch a D2C platform and Hector Bellerin launches slow fashion brand, Gospel Estudios
Welcome to Sports Pundit, the sports business newsletter delivering insights from across the industry.
In today’s email;
The Launch of SoleMates Run Club
D2C Offering from NY Liberty goes Live
Hector Bellerin taps into ‘Slow’ Fashion
Thanks to Kahlen for coming on the Podcast - and thanks to everyone who has listened and shared feedback!
Happy Friday!
Andy 😊 🙏
P.S. Congrats to Lorna Bremner, our latest ‘Contributor of the Week,’ an award given out to reward positive contributions to the SP WhatsApp Group.
Other honourable mentions go to Ben, Alex, and Maria.
Not a member yet? Join using the link below 👇
PERFECT MATCH
Tinder Run with the Hottest New Trend 🔥👟
Tinder has collaborated with Runna, a personalised running coaching app, to launch a summer run club series for singles.
Called 'SoleMates', this series responds to the growing trend of activity-based dating and the increasing number of runners on Tinder, with 'running' currently being a top interest tagged on profiles.
The SoleMates Run Clubs will take place over three weeks in June and July at various locations in Central London.
It’s part of a wider trend, as observed by Chris Jefford (Founder and CEO, Truant) in his brilliant newsletter, UNCLTRD.
What he says:
“New run clubs are providing a social outlet that contrasts sharply with traditional, competitive running clubs (that were solely performance-focussed and exclusive). This approach has attracted a diverse range of participants, including women under 25 who are now the fastest-growing demographic on Strava.
Pubs are expensive, cafes kick you out after a £4.50 flat white, parks in English weather are unreliable, and people feel lost without a third space outside of their home and work. Run clubs are affordable, accessible and a place to feel a sense of belonging.
They’re also dating spaces, which is becoming increasingly appealing as people are becoming disenfranchised with apps and more interested in meeting people IRL.
And, as Lydia Douglas of RBC highlights, running clubs offer a way to meet and hang out without a reliance on alcohol, which is becoming increasingly important, particularly for Gen-Z.”
GAMES ROOM
Who else is getting excited for the summer of football that’s about to begin?! ☀️ ⚽️
To engage the Sports Pundit community, we've teamed up with Hunch to launch our very own predictor game!
Show off your knowledge to earn sports industry bragging rights by joining the game ahead of Germany vs Scotland tonight 🙌
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HIGHLIGHTS
Guinness will be the Official Beer of the Premier League starting in the 2024/25 season, with Guinness 0.0 as the Official Non-Alcoholic Beer 🍺
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia is negotiating a joint venture to establish a new boxing league with various stakeholders, potentially transforming the sport's competitive landscape 🥊
Lionel Messi introduces Mas+, a low-sugar sports drink with electrolytes and vitamins, following in the footsteps of YouTubers Jake Paul and KSI 🧃
Zendaya and On Running begin a multi-year partnership to promote movement and well-being, reimagine product collections, and create future campaigns 👟
Netflix's new docuseries 'Sprint', premiering July 2nd, will follow top athletes at the 2023 World Championships and their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics, produced by Box to Box Films 🎬
The X Games will launch a year-round international team-based competition in 2026, and is seeking investors into the teams ❌
TAKING CONTROL
New York Liberty Go Live with their Own D2C Offering 🗽
Earlier this month, the New York Liberty introduced 'Liberty Live,' their first direct-to-consumer streaming platform.
With 'Liberty Live,' the Liberty are expanding their broadcast reach, enabling fans to stream locally televised games this season. This service kicked off with the Liberty’s game against the Chicago Sky on Tuesday, June 4.
For $4.99 per month, fans can stream locally televised games and gain access to exclusive content, discounts, and promotions.
George Pyne, Founder and CEO of Bruin Capital, has called it a bold and strategic initiative by team owner Clara Wu Tsai. He views it as part of the broader trend of value creation opportunities emerging in women's sports:
What he said:
“Going D2C is a way to overcome one of the biggest headwinds to the growth of women's sports - the inability to find games. (Just search for "How to watch all of Caitlin Clark's games" to see what I mean. Spoiler alert: you'll need multiple packages). At the same time, it's a methodical way to collect granular intel on the most loyal and monetizable portions of the fanbase. This intel helps develop more efficient marketing campaigns and finetune the team's fan loyalty program.
That's why I believe it won't be long before every team has a similar service. The approach enables them to aggregate eyeballs, build deeper relationships with consumers and keep a bigger slice of the commercial pie from ads and sponsorships. It's a situation where everyone wins.”
FURTHER READING
The Growing Demand for Sports Entertainment: Baller League and Kings League Leading the Way By Ekow Owusu Boakye, Sportsvrse 🏀
Always Know Where the Fire Exit is By Roger Mitchell, As in the Lake 💸
Stylish & Sustainable: Hector Bellerin Launches Slow Fashion Brand... By Subomi, Bigger Than Sports 👕
Ben Davies: “Spending the most money doesn’t guarantee results” By Charlie Stebbings, Business of Sport ⚽️
Driving Change: How Golf is Winning Over New Audiences By Owen Laverty, Fan Futures ⛳️
Don't Sleep on Twitch... By Chaj Arunasalam, GGm8 🎮
PODCAST
Want to hear more from my conversation with Kahlen?
We discuss misconceptions around Snapchat, how it enhances the fan experience, blurring the lines between sport and fashion, the importance of sport to Snapchat’s strategy, what a Snapchat partnership looks like, in-stadia activations and much much more.
Listen to the full podcast via the link below - and I’d love to hear what you think! 👇
SOCIAL CLUB
The Sports Pundit Social Club is a monthly series of industry Happy Hours happening in New York and London. This event aims to unite approx. 100 executives, founders, investors, and athletes in a relaxed and informal setting.
Whether you're a seasoned professional, an avid reader of the Sports Pundit newsletter, or a listener or guest on the Sports Pundit Podcast, this gathering promises to be an enriching experience for all.
RSVP now to secure your place in New York (26th) and London (27th).
P.S. Please note that the London event will be at their Bank location, rather than at Moorgate again.
JOB BOARD
Finance Business Partner - Manchester City (Manchester, UK)
Growth Activator - England Rugby (London, UK)
Technical Partnerships Manager - Red Bull Racing (Milton Keynes, UK)
Manager, Club Strategy - Major League Baseball (New York, US)
Product Manager, AI - PGA Tour (Florida, US)
To see these jobs, and more jobs like these, visit the Sports Pundit Job Board, hosted by Peak 72.
Plus, Peak72 is also recruiting a Digital & Event Content Lead for a world-leading organisation. More details can be found via the Job Board.
Do you have a job you’d like to promote to the amazing readers of this newsletter? Email me 📩
TALENT TALKS
Getting insights and news via email is great, but there's so much untapped knowledge in our community. We want to open up the floor and hear from everyone.
It’s all part of moving from mass emails to meaningful, one-on-one conversations.
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