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☆ New data shows the Olympic athletes breaking out on social media, from gymnast Rebeca Andrade to rugby player Ilona Maher
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Her engagement rate was 33.19%. "It wasn't necessarily him posting on social media," said Alex Cacres, US head of marketing at Metricool. People are tuning in to watch athletes who showcase their personalities and are entertaining on social media. Gen Z, in particular, is predominately following the Paris Games on social media, which is driving the greater emphasis on social media coverage compared to past Olympics, Cacres said. "[Social media] has made it so much easier to consume the Olympic content, which I feel wasn't the case back a few years ago," she said.

Persons: —, Rebeca Andrade, aren't, Ilona Maher, who's, Henrik Christiansen, Metricool, Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Noah Lyles, Stephen Nedoroscik, Katie Ledecky, Torri Huske, Trinity Rodman, Gretchen Walsh, Lee Kiefer, Nada Hafez, Maher, Biles, Dani Ramirez, Hafez, Huske, Walsh, Andrade, Nedoroscik, Alex Cacres, Christiansen, Cacres, he's Organizations: Service, Games, Business, Paris Games, Sprout Social Locations: Paris, Instagram

☆ Miss USA: Alma Cooper of Michigan crowned, capping tumultuous year of pageant controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The show featured no explicit references to the controversy, though Gankiewicz described her unexpected three-month stint as Miss USA as “the most unique reign in history.”Alma Cooper onstage with former Miss USA titleholder Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii. Miss USA president Laylah Rose released a statement at the end of May, reported by the Los Angeles Times, refuting Voigt’s allegations. Judges included shoe designer Jojo Bragais and former Miss USA titleholders Carole Gist and Lu Parker. Sunday marked the first Miss USA pageant to take place since its owner, the Miss Universe Organization, lifted a longstanding age restriction banning women over 28 from participating. Cooper will now go onto compete in the Miss Universe 2024 contest, which will be held in Mexico later this year.

Persons: Alma Cooper, Kentucky’s Connor Perry, Oklahoma’s Danika Christopherson, ”, ” Cooper, Savannah, Utah’s Noelia Voigt, Voigt’s, —, UmaSofia Srivastava, Gankiewicz, ” Alma Cooper, Gilbert Flores, Voigt, “, ” Voigt, ” Srivastava, Barbara, Laylah Rose, Chelsea Lauren, Shutterstock, Garcelle, Keltie Knight, Jojo Bragais, Carole Gist, Lu Parker, Kristina Johnson of, Maryland’s Bailey Anne Kennedy, Shavana Clarke, Addie Carver, Stephanie Skinner, Carver, Cooper Organizations: CNN, US Army, Miss USA, Stanford University, Latina, United States Army, Miss Teen USA, Instagram, Miss, Morning, Miss Universe Organization, Los Angeles Times, Garcelle Beauvais, Housewives, Beverly Hills, Miss Teen Locations: Savannah Gankiewicz, Hawaii, Miss USA, Los Angeles , California, “, California, Kristina Johnson of Arizona, Montana , North Dakota, Maryland, Indiana, Shavana Clarke of Connecticut, Mississippi, Mexico

☆ Miss Teen USA 2024: Addie Carver of Mississippi wins controversy-hit beauty pageant
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Addie Carver of Mississippi was named Miss Teen USA on Thursday, assuming a title that has stood vacant since the previous winner’s highly controversial resignation in May. Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesYear of scandalThe Miss USA organization, which operates both pageants, was thrown into disarray when Voigt stepped down in May. Miss USA president Laylah Rose released a statement at the end of May, reported by the Los Angeles Times, refuting Voigt’s allegations. Unlike in Miss USA, the teen competition’s first runner-up, Stephanie Skinner, declined to take on the title, which instead remained vacant. Mental health strugglesOpen to applicants aged 14 to 19, the annual Miss Teen USA contest celebrates “beauty, brains and confidence,” according to its official website.

Persons: Addie Carver, Carver, ” Georgia’s Ava Colindres, Arizona’s Rachael Mclaen, Utah’s Noelia Voigt, UmaSofia Srivastava, —, Voigt, Srivastava, Savannah Gankiewicz, Rachel Lindsay, Justin Sylvester, Kevin Winter, “, ”, Barbara Srivastava, Laylah Rose, Stephanie Skinner, Francia Raisa, Rylee Arnold, ” Carver Organizations: CNN, Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, Miss Teen, USA, Miss, Peacock, Miss Universe Organization, Los Angeles Times, “ Locations: Mississippi, Los Angeles, Miss USA, Los Angeles , California

☆ 13 sports startups poised to shake up the industry, according to VCs and other top investors
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Bandit is an apparel brand that's tapping into running communities around the worldBandit was cofounded by Tim West, Ardith Singh, and Nick West. Investors include Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez's VCP Ventures, Bullish, Drive by DraftKings, Joyance Partners, Scrum Ventures, and 458 Capital. Bandit is helping drive this trend and is poised to benefit from it. Founded in 2021 by CEO Nick West, creative director Tim West, and chief design officer Ardith Singh, the company has been tapping into running communities in the US and around the world. It's grown distribution to include two stores in New York, an online shop, and partnerships with specialty retailers globally.

Persons: Tim West, Ardith Singh, Nick West, Joseph Hale, Marc Lore, Alex Rodriguez's VCP, Meredith McPherron, McPherron, Michael Proman Organizations: Investors, Alex Rodriguez's VCP Ventures, Joyance Partners, Scrum Ventures Locations: New York

☆ How Coca-Cola is using the Olympics to reach Gen Z as the beverage giant nears 100 years of sponsoring the Games
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewThe Coca-Cola Company is leveraging the 2024 Paris Olympics to connect with Gen Z as it approaches 100 years of sponsoring the Games. In Paris, Coca-Cola organized six free concerts to appeal to younger audiences during the 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic torch relays. Though the company said it considers Gen Z when creating campaigns, its Olympics marketing caters to all audiences. The Coca-Cola CompanyCola-Cola chose the athletes it's working with based on whether they share the same values as its campaign, "Celebrating Everyday Greatness." As such, Ross said an athlete doesn't have to be a gold medalist or have a huge social-media reach.

Persons: —, Powerade, Brad Ross, Ross, Brooke Raboutou, Jordyn Barratt, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Bianca Costa, Angela Ruggiero, Sarah Rice, Athing Mu, Alex Morgan, doesn't, Manolo Arroyo Organizations: Service, Cola Company, Games, Business, Cola, Paris Games, International Olympic Committee, North America, Olympics, Olympic Games, US Olympic, Coca, Olympic, Paralympic Games Locations: Costa Coffee, Paris, North, Lujipeka, Costa, South Africa, New Zealand, France, India, US

☆ The Paris Olympics are nice, but agents and brands are already prepping for an even bigger prize: Los Angeles in 2028
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe Olympic Games in Paris hasn't even begun, but talent agents are already looking to the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Savvy agents are leveraging the Paris Games — a huge moment in their own right — to snag fresh, breakout talent and negotiate long-term commercial deals with the expectation that the Los Angeles Games will draw even more demand from brands that want to work with athletes. More talent agencies have also expanded into working with Olympic athletes. Crane said the Los Angeles Games are a big focus for the firm. "Everything is a little more amplified in Los Angeles, and there's going to be a lot of media and press.

Persons: —, Paris hasn't, WME, Quincy Wilson, Mark Ervin, Quincy, Peter Carlisle, Anna Hall, who's, Octagon, Carlisle, Hezly Rivera, Harry Poole, Aly Raisman, Poole, Ervin, there's, James Crane, Buchwald, Crane, it's Organizations: Service, Los Angeles Games, Paris Games, Business, Olympic, Summer Games, ", LA, Summer, Paris, Excel Sports Management, Brands, US, Olympics Locations: Paris, LA28, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo

☆ The Olympics will be dominated by social media and influencers this year, as Gen Z and millennials look for fun and unique coverage
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It also found that 75% of those who plan to watch the games are more likely to watch coverage from celebrities, influencers, and digital creators than they were for the 2021 Summer Olympics. "We found they're really excited to turn to social media for Olympic coverage because they think it will surface the most culturally relevant moments and create community," Emily Anatole, the senior director of cultural insights at UTA IQ, told Business Insider. The data explains why broadcaster NBC is tapping more influencers this year and working with the major platforms to expand social-media coverage around the Olympics. Gen Z and millennials will be tuning in to get creators' perspectives on the gamesThe involvement of more influencers this year also shows how Gen-Z and millennial viewers are changing the Olympics. Anatole said many Gen Z and millennials will use social-media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat to get Olympic coverage because of content creators like Cenat and Duke Dennis, who will help capture content for the games.

Persons: —, YouTuber Kai Cenat, Alex Cooper, Emily Anatole, Cooper, Cenat, influencer Olivia Dunne, Gen, Gen Zs, Anatole, Snapchat, Duke Dennis, Zers, shouldn't, …, Gen Z Organizations: Service, Social, Paris Games, Business, United Talent Agency, UTA, NBC, Olympics, Meta, YouTube, Facebook Locations: Paris

☆ The biggest winners of the 2024 Olympics will be the athletes who can break through on social media — not just get the gold
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Tiara White | Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe 2024 Olympic Games could be bigger than ever for athletes looking to build content careers and score brand deals, particularly for young or newer names. "Social media, every single year, has gotten bigger and bigger, and a lot of eyes are on social, digital advertisements now," said Michael Raymond, the founder of Raymond Representation, which works with Olympic athletes, college athletes, and influencers. AdvertisementOut2Win found that during the Tokyo Games, athletes and organizations created 232,000 social posts and gained 113 billion followers. As influencers and platforms lean in, the Paris Games could be even bigger for social media. "One of the challenges in sponsoring Olympic athletes if you're not an Olympic sponsor is that your window to activate with your athlete is small," Poole said.

Persons: —, Michael Raymond, Raymond Representation, James Crane, Buchwald, Goldman Sachs, Crane, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, you've, Harry Poole, They've, Raymond, Sunisa Lee, Hailey Van Lith, Out2Win, Agency Smith, Lee, Jade Carey, Kaila McWilliams, Smith, Poole, Jeff Hoffman Organizations: Service, Business, Olympic, Brands, Paris Games, Excel Sports Management, Tokyo Games, Agency Locations: Tokyo

☆ A sports startup shares the key pitch deck slides that helped raise the first $7 million for its athlete streaming and e-commerce platform
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSocial-commerce platform Millions is trying to change how athletes make money from their names, images, and likenesses, from the professional to the collegiate level. He thought an e-commerce platform could help them. "Millions is an e-commerce and streaming platform built for athletes to connect with their fans," said Whitteker. Whitteker shared key slides from the pitch deck Millions used to raise the early funding. Here are 29 key pitch-deck slides Millions used to raise its $7 million seed round:

Persons: —, Matt Whitteker, Whitteker, Joe Rogan, Valentina Shevchenko, Bryce Mitchell, Bruce Buffer Organizations: Service, Business, UFC, Shopify

☆ Anything Can Happen, and Usually Does, on ‘Watch What Happens Live’
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Shivani Gonzalez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Two miniature horses, Aidan and Pearl, stood on the terrace of a tiny TV studio in SoHo earlier this month on a sweltering evening, one more equine guest than the producers of “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” anticipated. They were part of a bit for taping the late-night talk show’s 15th anniversary special and, apparently, booking a horse requires also booking it an emotional support horse. Andy Cohen, the show’s host and creator, brought his two children Ben, 5, and Lucy, 2, to meet the mini horses as producers whispered questions about the surplus. He soon headed back inside to provide emotional support of a different kind for the show’s humans. Five nights a week, viewers can see Oscar-winners re-enact scenes from “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City”; so-called Bravo-lebrities dish about just-aired dirty laundry; or Cohen and Hillary Clinton drink from a shotski, a ski with shot glasses glued to it that allows multiple people to simultaneously knock one back.

Persons: Aidan, Pearl, Andy Cohen ”, Andy Cohen, Ben, Lucy, Sonja Morgan, ”, Cohen, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lawrence, Hillary Clinton Organizations: Housewives, New, Real Locations: SoHo, Salt Lake City

☆ Why ESPN's sports-betting app is falling behind — and how it could make a comeback
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The future of ESPN's sports-betting app is now in question amid mounting losses and an activist investor push at partner Penn Entertainment that has prompted sale rumors. The app, ESPN Bet, made early strides in the first few months, gaining ground through promotions and marketing that leveraged ESPN's popular personalities. As of March, ESPN Bet had captured about 4% of the online-sports-betting market by gross gaming revenue, per Bank of America's analysis, though its share has been higher in states like Pennsylvania. "Testers liked ESPN Bet's UX and minty aesthetic but felt the app lacked depth (particularly more extensive features)," EKG wrote in May. "Product is one thing, and I would say having expertise in how to target users effectively to lower your acquisition costs and your retention costs" is key for the ESPN Bet app to compete, Wasiolek said.

Persons: —, FanDuel, Dan Wasiolek, Will Wyatt, Penn's, Jay Snowden's, Boyd, Penn, ESPN Bet's, hasn't, it's, Barry Jonas, Scott Van Pelt, Stephen A . Smith, ESPN Bet, Penn doesn't, Jonas, EKG, Snowden, Wasiolek, they'll Organizations: Service, ESPN, Penn Entertainment, Business, ESPN Bet, Morningstar, Donerail Group, Barstool Sports, Penn, Reuters, Boyd Gaming, Truist Securities, Barstool, ESPN Bet's, NFL, Management Locations: Barstool, Penn, Pennsylvania, Eilers

☆ Why ESPN's rival to FanDuel and DraftKings is flailing — and how it could make a comeback
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The app, ESPN Bet, made early strides in the first few months, gaining ground through promotions and marketing that leveraged ESPN's popular personalities. Even Fanatics, the industry's other major recent disrupter, hasn't made much of a dent in DraftKings' and FanDuel's dominance. As of March, ESPN Bet had captured about 4% of the online-sports-betting market by gross gaming revenue, per Bank of America's analysis, though its share has been higher in states like Pennsylvania. How ESPN Bet can make a comebackPenn could still be successful if it improves its product and spends less money on acquiring new customers, the analysts said. Jonas said if Boyd acquires Penn, it would be a sizable shift in strategy for their management, team, and board.

☆ How Gen-Z sports brand Overtime built an 8-figure merch business and is using partnerships to take it to the next level
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The media company first made a name for itself by distributing high-school sports videos, then producing its own shows and operating its own sports leagues. Rutstein, who worked at Adidas and Reebok before Overtime, said the company distinguishes its merch by focusing on quality. Advertisement"When we first started, I said, we're not going to be a media company that just does merch," Rutstein told Business Insider. Advertisement"Through partnerships, we've been able to expand our audience, of course, to these brands that are either legacy or heritage streetwear brands," Rutstein said. Other brands Overtime has partnered with include BAPE, a Japanese clothing brand; PSD Underwear, which makes underwear and activewear; 7-Eleven, a convenience store chain; and Billionaire Boys Club, a fashion label founded by singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams.

Persons: —, Tyler Rutstein, Rutstein, we're, SpongeBob, we've, Pharrell Williams, that's Organizations: Service, Paramount, Business, Adidas, Reebok, Billionaire Boys Locations: merch

☆ Caitlin Clark's popularity is up there with superstars like LeBron James and her broad appeal is changing perspectives on women's sports
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewIndiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark has changed perspectives of women's basketball and sports from her college days to the WNBA. A new study conducted by market-research firm YouGov found Clark is the most popular women's basketball player in the US and that her broad appeal with both men and women rivals that of superstar male athletes like LeBron James. AdvertisementClark is the most popular women's basketball player but trails some other women athletesClark's popularity is well ahead of other players in her league, in which the 22-year-old debuted in May. The next most popular women's basketball players are former WNBA star Candace Parker, who holds a 26% positive rating, and Clark's Fever teammate Aliyah Boston who has a 25% positive rating. "The Williams sisters, Simone Biles, they've been active in their respective sports for a while…they're really, really, really highly recognized."

Persons: —, Caitlin Clark, YouGov, Clark, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Nicole Pike, Pike, Candace Parker, Simone Biles, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Williams, Caitlin, they've, they're Organizations: Service, WNBA, Business, NBA, YouGov, Clark's, Boston

☆ College donors are tired of the pressure to pay more and more money to attract top athletes. It could lead to big changes.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The landscape is being supported in large part by fans and donors, who can contribute money through organizations known as "collectives" that facilitate NIL activities. NIL collectives typically raise money from fans and other donors to compensate student-athletes in exchange for meet-and-greets, guest appearances, and autographs. AdvertisementMore changes are coming to disrupt the NIL landscape in college sportsStartups are also trying to disrupt the donor model in college sports. Donors can also see that their money will go straight to the athlete when that athlete chooses the donor's selected school. AdvertisementBut ultimately, bigger changes may be coming to relieve some of the onus on fans and donors.

Persons: —, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, Barkley, Dan Dakich, I've, Janet Moreira, Moreira, Opendorse, Brady Keller, Opendorse's, Keller, Kyle Bjornstad, We've, Bjornstad, doesn't, Tina Provost, hadn't, " Moreira Organizations: Service, NBA Hall of Famer, Business, Auburn University, Caldera Law, Collective, NCAA Locations: Oregon

☆ I scored over 20 sponsorships as a student-athlete. Since graduating, I've worked full time helping other students make money from NIL.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Lauren Hoselton scored over 20 NIL sponsorship deals as a student-athlete at Ole Miss. She's now a VP at the Grove Collective and helps college athletes at her alma mater get NIL deals. So I told myself to get creative and use my entrepreneurial mindset to make money off NIL. From there, I continued to hustle and use platforms such as LinkedIn and the marketplace Opendorse to get NIL deals. I pitched myself to managers in my college town to secure as many brand deals as possible.

Persons: Lauren Hoselton, She's, —, Ole Miss, I've, I'm, Bill Dabney, They'd Organizations: Ole Miss, Grove, Service, University of Mississippi, Delta Air Lines, Lauren Hoselton Consulting, University of South Locations: University of South Florida, Grove

☆ 6 sports-betting execs break down the biggest challenges facing the industry and how they're trying to solve them
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Tiara White | Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewLegal sports betting is becoming more mainstream in the US, and regulators and leagues are starting to scrutinize it more closely. The industry's evolution is creating new challenges in areas like player protection, responsible gaming, and product innovation. "They're really trying to squeeze out as much profit and as much margin as they can, and it's starting to feel that way," Doctor told BI, describing what he considers one of the biggest challenges facing the industry. "When it comes to responsible gaming and responsible betting," she said.

Persons: —, Tucupita Marcano, sportsbooks, Zach Doctor, They're, Joe Maloney, Ashley Cahill, Dave Foppert, DraftKings, Foppert, Christiana Yebra, Max, Yebra, we'll, Mark Nerenberg Organizations: Service, San Diego Padres, Major League Baseball, Business, PNC Bank VP, American Gaming Association, Sports, Netflix

Mike Kratky, 33, Leerink PartnersLeerink PartnersSector: Medical devices and technologyKratky's young career underwent a major shift in March 2020 — and it wasn't remote work. The Colgate University graduate thinks he's a better analyst for it because he now understands how readers of his research think. "The stock calls won't always go my way," Kratky said. All eight of the outperform-rated medtech stocks Leerink has covered since October have outperformed the S&P 500 and their industry index. The medtech industry is experiencing rapid change, particularly with the advent of GLP-1 drugs that treat obesity and diabetes.

Persons: Mike Kratky, Kratky, Leerink, He's, he's, Kratky's, — James Faris Organizations: Leerink Partners Leerink Partners, Nasdaq, Riley Securities, Colgate University, Tandem Diabetes Care Locations: Leerink

☆ 16 rising stars of sports betting and gaming who are driving growth areas like responsible gaming, micro betting, and pick 'em fantasy
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Richard Taylor helped build BetMGM's responsible-gaming departmentRichard Taylor. He knew working in responsible gaming could bring a lot of good to the industry. He was previously the director of responsible gaming at MGM Resorts International and moved almost four years ago to BetMGM, where he currently serves in the same role. "I was fortunate enough to be selected to be the first director of responsible gaming," he told BI. He said this excited him because he could take the knowledge he obtained over the years to hopefully help young staff build good habits.

Persons: Richard Taylor, Mitchell Ternay, Taylor Organizations: MGM Resorts International, San Diego Padres, Las Vegas Locations: Las Vegas, Taylor

☆ Pro League Network raised $2.2 million to bring gambling to obscure sports like CarJitsu and slapfighting. Read its 20-page pitch deck.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewPro League Network has raised $2.2 million to commercialize niche sports like slapfighting, CarJitsu, and streetball, and allow people to bet on them. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Advertisement"We're solving a problem," Yucatonis told Business Insider. "The portfolio appeals to them because they're placing a bet on different properties," Salvaris said. Business Insider has viewed the full version.

Persons: —, Mike Salvaris, Bill Yucatonis, Yucatonis, Roger Ehrenberg, Chris Grove, Kevin Garnett, Salvaris, PLN, it's Organizations: Service, League, Business Locations: Missouri, East

☆ A college basketball player with over 1 million followers shares the email and DM template he's used to get 100 NIL deals
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewCollege basketball player and content creator Connor Printz scored over 100 NIL deals — short for name, image, and likeness — while playing at Claremont McKenna College. From that moment on, Printz was on the hunt for more NIL deals and used several tactics to gain more brand sponsorships. He said he's secured more than 100 NIL deals to date. He said the staff were "shocked" when he disclosed to Claremont McKenna in January 2023 that he'd had over 50 NIL deals. AdvertisementThe email and DM template Printz used to land over 100 NIL dealsPrintz uses a similar outreach template when he contacts brands over email or DM.

Persons: —, Connor Printz, Printz, he's, Claremont McKenna, he'd, didn't, Connor Printz @iamconnorprintz Organizations: Service, Claremont McKenna College, CVS, Reebok, Business, Claremont, Clif Locations: Opendorse, Los Angeles

☆ 3 college athletes explain how LinkedIn can play a 'huge role' in building careers, including scoring brand deals and NIL agents
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

LinkedIn is another often-overlooked platform where student-athletes can promote themselves and score brand deals, athletes and experts told Business Insider. Oostburg and Printz told BI they've used LinkedIn to secure NIL brand deals and connect with agents or other professionals they want to work with. College athletes have used LinkedIn to get brand deals and sign with talent agentsOostburg said she landed two sponsorship deals through LinkedIn, including with the Nashville Zoo and a startup called Backhat. Griffin, who's scored more than 30 NIL deals during his career, landed his first through LinkedIn. "If you're doing NIL or not, as a college athlete, you're also a college student," he said, "and LinkedIn is the spot to be for college students."

Persons: —, Tanner Maddox, Sabrina Oostburg, Connor Printz, Jack Adler, Adler, Oostburg, Printz, Raymond, Belmont Athletics Oostburg, hasn't, Samantha Green, Green, Chase Griffin, Griffin, who's, you've Organizations: Service, LinkedIn, Business, Villanova, Belmont University, Claremont McKenna College, College, Nashville Zoo, Belmont Athletics, Athlete, UCLA

☆ A sports betting VC has raised a new $25 million fund to invest in sports, gambling, and entertainment startups
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewVenture-capital firm Sharp Alpha Advisors has closed a new $25 million fund to invest in early-stage sports, gambling, and entertainment startups. "And we think that at the intersection of sports, gaming, and entertainment is where this type of engagement is most reliably found." AdvertisementSharp Alpha's new fund intends to invest $1 to $2 million in target ventures — an increase from the average $250,000 offered by its initial fund, Danzig said. Danzig said C15 is a great example of the type of companies Sharp Alpha is looking to invest in. Though the process was difficult, Danzig said he is "very fortunate to have our investors from fund one excitedly and enthusiastically re-upping into fund two."

Persons: —, Lloyd Danzig, Danzig, Freevee, Sharp Organizations: Service, Sharp Alpha Advisors, Media, Business, Pluto, Sharp Alpha

☆ 3 casino-gaming influencers break down how they make money from their content and the challenges of promoting gambling
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe expansion of legal gambling in the US has kickstarted the growth of gambling influencers who play and promote sports betting, slots, and other casino games online. On Wednesday at the SBC North America Summit in New Jersey, the three gambling influencers broke down how they make money from their content and the challenges of promoting gambling online. AdvertisementUnlike some other content niches, restrictions on gambling content can limit the ways influencers earn and how much they can make. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch restrict gambling on certain sites, while others, including Instagram and TikTok, limit how gambling content is distributed. The pros and cons of affiliate deals for gambling influencersDuffy said he likes doing affiliate deals because he can be a positive influence in the industry.

Persons: —, Josh Duffy, Kelly Koffler, Jon Della Terza, influencers, Duffy, influencers Duffy, Koffler Organizations: Service, YouTube, Business, SBC North America Summit Locations: New Jersey

☆ 5 key slides from a presentation on how college athletes negotiate NIL brand deals, including a formula for pricing sponsored posts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Rachel Maeng Brown is a former NCAA rower who now works with student-athletes at her firm Gen Agency. The agency has provided NIL education and consulting to college athletes, collectives, and schools. AdvertisementKnowing your worth is a struggle many college athletes face now that they can make money from their name, image, and likeness, known as NIL. To help athletes understand their value, influencer-marketing-and-production company Gen Agency has been educating and consulting college athletes on NIL. "Our big focus is creating a sustainable NIL marketplace at each university," Rachel Maeng Brown, the founder and CEO of Gen agency, told Business Insider.

Persons: Rachel Maeng Brown, Brown, — Organizations: Agency, Service, Gen Agency, Business

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