4 Reasons Darren Sproles Should Get a Blog (And Other Athletes)

I just read this ESPN article about NFL running back Darren Sproles … he’s getting ready to become a free agent and this part of the article stood out to me:

Sproles, who has stuttered since childhood, knows his profile is growing, and a marketing team is working with him to get him acclimated to high-intensity media situations.

The first thing I thought was … he needs a blog.

Sure, he should get help with dealing with the media to increase his market value, but a blog would help his fans and the media get to know him easier.

They’d have an online fact sheet to draw insights from for their news reports. They’d have direct copy-and-paste quotes on issues. It’s a win-win for a guy like Sproles who needs to polish off his speaking skills in front of all those cameras.

Of course, in the conversation of athletes and blogging … I thought instantly of NFL tight end Chris Cooley’s blog … he blogs like crazy and it’s an extension of his life.

Blogs have some great benefits for athletes:

• Blogs are great marketing tools. They are cheap, effective, and easy marketing engines that a player can take with them no matter what team they are on.
• Blogs are 24/7 marketing agents for the media. They have an easy way to find fast facts, quotes, photos, and more about the players they are covering.
• Blog have a snowball effect on marketing. If athletes do it right they should build an email newsletter list, where they can send updates to their fans. Blogs are sticky. A player has a big game and fans go back. They move with the player from team to team, city to city, game to game.
• Blogs make players more personable and ‘touchable’ for their fans. Imagine little kids following their favorite players from city to city, game to game, with insights on how they workout, their hobbies, etc. Player’s blogs should have photos from their athletes so fans can set them as their desktop pictures.

Think about it ….

Exposure increases.

Then jersey sales increase.

Endorsement opportunities increase.

Teams would love them for the built-in, off-the-field marketing value a player could bring.

Talk about extra power in free agent negotiations!

P.S. — I watched Darren Sproles play in the Big 12 Championship game several years ago against OU. We met some of his family. I’m a fan!