Worship of Sports Teams and Athletes

How many times have you dropped those swimming classes? When was last time you put off in getting that enrollment for the gym? “Unlimited” ads campaign by Nike, appeals to its audience by showing people who even having certain difficulties, go after what they want and push their limits as much as they can, which is not a little. The ads feature a grown Sister competing in a triathlon, a transgender who runs with the National men’s team and a climber with no extremities. Nike didn’t choose these actors for its ads by accident, they are source of inspiration for all those athletes that always put the best of themselves in whichever the activity that passionate them is. People who would be the main target for this campaign.

The target audience for Gatorade is for athletes, but this commercial does a great job of reaching out to a wide range of athletes. The advertisement targets athletes of the older generation, along with athletes that are young. Gatorade uses two retired players, Peyton Manning and Michael Jordan, along with two players nearing the end of their careers, Eli Manning and Serena Williams, and three players that are currently in their prime, Kyle Schwarber, Matt Ryan, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The different ages in the commercial are extremely effective because athletes that would be interested in Gatorade’s products vary in age, and Gatorade had to appeal to all generations of athletes. Also, the inclusion of Serena Williams can appeal to the female athletes that view the

Football remains the most popular sport in America and the ninth most popular sport in the world for a reason. Since its creation in 1869, football has played a fundamental part of American society. Every Sunday, my family along with millions of other Americans turn the television to CBS, NBC or FOX to watch their favorite football team go to battle. My family and I bleed burgundy and gold and root for the home team the Washington Redskins. Americans including myself display great intensity and passion for the game of football and the result of the game often changes my attitude for the better or worse. Watching the game on television may come as exhilarating and entertaining, but playing the game creates the best times. Overall football has made a severe impact on many people’s lives. Football teaches unique lessons in a hands on manner which helps athletes like myself sustain a much more adventurous life. Football has made an immeasurably positive influence upon my life, but the sport has its dangers. Football changes lives.

Gatorade also targets average citizens who are physically active. During commercial breaks, Gatorade is always broadcasting their product, not only is Gatorade advertised on television, but they also advertise their products on the sidelines of professional sports teams by having large jugs and Gatorade cups on the sideline that is often shown during timeouts. As result, Gatorade advertisement is a success, because when going to buy a sports drink they’re going to remember that Dwayne Wade or whoever their favorite professional athlete drinks

The ethos appeal is present in the Michael Jordan, LT and Polamalu commercials the most. In the Everything’s an argument textbook, it says, “We tend to accept arguments from those we trust, and we trust them in good part because of their reputations. Three main elements – trustworthiness/credibility, authority, and unselfish or clear motive – add up to ethos” (45). Of course, Nike wouldn’t use any one that had some trouble or were untrustworthy to represent their company. They know better than to include Sammy Sosa and Ray Rice to be representatives; however, someone like Michael Jordan is a great choice because of the influence he has had on many people. Michael Jordan is a role model to many; whereas, Sammy Sosa should not be one because of the illegal actions during his baseball career. He was “unaware” of the fact that he had used a corked bat during a game. Even though all his bats were tested and came back clean, Slammin’ Sammy had jeopardized much of his success from the past. Nike keeps a strong ethos by partnering themselves with famous athletes that everyone has at least heard of. Famous athletes increase their credibility because of the belief that if those athletes use their products then the product must be superior to its competitors. It proves that Nike is a high quality brand. By using famous athletes in their commercials, Nike shows that their products are not just

“People are more likely to pay attention to a TV commercial if one of their favorite players is talking, than they would be if the owner of the company was the star” (Miller). It is the association with the known and likeable character which may attract people to follow celebrity endorsements. It may also be the association with success which the athlete is characterizing. Whatever the case may be, Miller gives tips of what marketing companies look for before persuading a player with an endorsement:

The roles that athletes play in fans lives predicts the way people look at them. NFL athletes play as major role models in fans outlook on life. You notice people wanting to look like them, talk like them, and even act like them. Leadership roles are put in the paths of people as a result of these major athletes posing as leaders in everyday life. Just like anything else though there is a negative side to it. People aren’t only experiencing the amazing things players do on the field, but off the field can be another story. Negative things could happen off the field and you notice some teenagers or kids wanting

American culture has become littered with commercials the past few decades. It does not matter if you are watching television or reading a magazine, you are bound to come across some advertisement promoting a product that you supposedly need to make life easier. James Twitchell even goes on to say that “The culture we live in is carried on the back of advertising” (Twitchell). Some commercials try to woo you in with sappy songs and sad images, while others take a path that will create good feelings and laughter that will leave you thinking about their product all day. Fathead, a company that sells huge life-like posters of athletes and other popular figures, takes the latter approach to selling their product. Their new “Clay Matthews,

Many American’s truly look forward to the weekends. And why wouldn’t you? You get to be with your family and friends with time off work. But from September until February, there is a certain day that many America’s take such joy in participating in. And I’ll give you a hint: it is not going to church. When football season comes to the United States, many people become more social, often inviting friends and family to enjoy this weekly celebration. But football to many people is more than just a game. It is a social interaction that we as a community take part in. We pay quite a bit of money to attend their games. We watch never-ending commercials to see it at home…and for what?

Athletes are idolized by people everywhere, and why is that? Because they're famous or rich or can jump really high? No, I think it’s

The use of specific athletes in marketing campaigns really began to show promise when athletes like Jordan began wearing their own brands of shoes. The idea to consumers or fans of the NBA that they could wear the same shoes as Michael Jordan, and somehow play like him was an easy sell by Nike. Today it is now common for marketable athletes in almost all sports to wear their own style of shoes, spikes, or skates. An interesting point to make is that through Nike Michael Jordan eventually launched his own clothing line called Jumpman23 that makes everything from socks and underwear to winter coats. Even though Jordan has been retired since 1999 the Jumpman23 company has continued to release a new shoe every single year that are simply called “Jordan 24”, an increasing corresponding number to the number of years the shoes have been produced. The new Jordan shoes still retails at over $150 a pair even though Mike hasn’t stepped on the court in 11 years! After retirement and becoming the CEO of the Jumpman brand Michael Jordan has been able to court other famous athletes from a variety of sports to wear his brand. A few examples of the athletes include Derek Jeter (baseball), Dwayne Wade (basketball), Jason Taylor (football), and April Holmes (track and field). The wide range of athletes in all different sports who now market a brand for arguably the greatest athlete of all time truly shows the money, power, and influence an athlete can experience

Gatorade has been sponsoring the NFL for many years, starting in 1968. Its involvement with the sport has made the drink known to many today “The official drink of the NFL” (Gatorade). According to Naomi Klein “…the wave of mergers in the corporate world over the last few years is a deceptive phenomenon: it only looks as if the giants, by joining forces, are getting bigger and bigger”(4). And that is exactly what the corporation of Gatorade was trying to carry out. By joining its name with the NFL, which at that time was becoming a famous sport to watch, Gatorade has become the number one sport drink for athletes. In the “Peyton Manning-Gatorade Commercial”, the corporation of Gatorade is not only selling their product, but is also

Celebrity endorsement and sponsorship contribute to boost brand recognition. As for GEICO, they have uplifted the endorsement on multiple sporting events. For instance, “GEICO integrated advertising into the Nintendo Wii “Big Beach Sports” game that allows players to compete against each other in a variety of outdoor sports. GEICO ads appear in the form of banners positioned around beach areas and is seen at the start of the

The information gathered has been used to inform people on religion and sports . Starting with the article by Albert Mohler this article perfectly state's the effect that sports has had on religion. The relationship between sports and religion has always close and often awkward. The massive growth of involvement in sports at the expense of church activities and involvements. About fifteen years ago a catholic archbishop of New York lamented the fact that little league baseball was taking his altar boys away on Sundays. This was the start of the sports and religion dilemma.

Super bowl Sunday has become an unofficial holiday, on which many people miss church to watch. In attempts to encourage people to attend church on this day, churches are having super bowl parties that many people would rather not go to because of the lack of alcohol. There are many people who don?t attend church at all during football season. A number of people even tithe their sport. Not in the traditional offering that you would give in church, but through ticket sale, merchandise, and concessions at events. The NCAA Basketball play-offs held their second round games on Easter Sunday. Statistics say, in addition to the people who go to church regularly, about twenty percent more of the population shows up at church on Easter Sunday. I believe it?d be fair to say that religion won over sports that day.