<p style="text-align: justify;">Social media and sports have led to viewership and advertisement revenues skyrocketing. When one misses a match, they can get filled in on social media as a result of the ease with which information is shared. Facebook and Twitter news feeds contain that big goal kick in yesterday’s last minutes of the game.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Social media and sports are complimented and cross-promoting each other in the following ways.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Never underestimate the Power of Social Media Trends</strong></span></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">During Euro 2012, Wayne Rooney had a rapid increase in fan presence, which is a social trend. Social networks have a snowballing effect on current and popular events.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Many avid sport fans helped create a ‘trending’ term, with Euro 2012 underway, thanks to string theory. Increase in fan activity helps advertising firms and brand managers to capitalize on trending terms. Facebook is a powerhouse when it comes to the creation of social trends. This should be an eye opener for marketing ideas in sports.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Social Media allows Professional Players to Stay Connected with Fans more than ever</strong></span></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Social media allows players to get feedback on their performance, which helps them improve their skills, for instance Kevin Pietersen who is a former Test batsman, invites feedback. He tweets during pre-game <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">intervals</span>, and he gets a lot of viewers for an impending game. Match discussions are no longer confined to TV and print, traditional media outlets. The players are able to easily interact with fans on a personal level. The fans feel really motivated to have their idol talk to them at a personal level.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Social Media Drives Viewership Levels and Ticket Sales</strong></span></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Major sports broadcasters, for instance, ESPN, offer live streaming of games on the internet for social media butterflies to keep an eye on. At least 1 in 3 people follow the game on their mobile devices. ESPN reported a 210% increase in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct">viewership</span> from the last tournament in 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ticket sales have increased by 3 times as social media pages promote teams and individual sporting personality coverage 24 hours a day. The use of Sweepstakes applications as well as fan pages on Facebook has cultivated a renewed interest in sports, even among people who are not traditional sports followers. The big question is whether Social Media headed for a Stock MarketBurst.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Social media and sports have proved to be a marriage made in heaven. Social media firms and advertising agencies should utilize them for maximum benefit.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p>
<p>Austin Richard is an IT professional from<span style="color: #ff6600;"> <span style="color: #ff6600;">Selftesttraining</span></span>. He likes to write for different blogs on different interesting topics. He is <span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">E20-533</span></span> exam qualified.</p>

Sports and Social Media – Cross Promotion at Its Best
