User:ZachHopkins17/sandbox

Sports journalism is a form of writing that reports on matters pertaining to sporting topics and competitions. Sports Journalism started in the early 1800s when it was targeted to the social elite and has transitioned into an integral part of the news business with newspapers having dedicated sports sections. The increased popularity of sports amongst the middle and lower class led to the more coverage of sports content in publications. There has been a major shift within sports in the last decade as more sports teams are switching to using analytics. A large reason for this shift is due to many articles being published about the increased benefit of using analytics to make strategic decisions in a game.

ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American multinational basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The company was founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen along with his son Scott Rasmussen and Ed Egan. ESPN has been a part of popular culture since its inception. ESPN has been criticized for focusing too much on men's college and professional sports, and very little on women's sports or extreme sports.

LeBron Raymone James Sr. (/ləˈbrɒn/; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely considered one of the greatest NBA players in history, James is frequently compared to Michael Jordan in debates over the greatest basketball player of all time. Playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, James is the only player in NBA history to have won NBA championships with three franchises as Finals MVP. He has competed in ten NBA Finals, including eight consecutive with the Heat and Cavaliers from 2011 through 2018. His accomplishments include four NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, four Finals MVP Awards, and two Olympic gold medals.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is unique in US professional sports because it has the youngest overall audience. It also has the higher share of African-Americans who regularly view its games. 45% of NBA fans that regularly watch games are under the age of 35. That’s the same percentage of African-American viewers, which is 3x higher than college basketball or even the NFL. The NBA attracts a younger audience overall, which means there is going to be less money available to marketers who want to target this demographic. Yet with league revenues above $4.5 billion annually and an average franchise value of $634 million within the league, it is easy to see why basketball attracts the demographics that it does. This sport provides the opportunity for many to change their stars. Courts are widely available, free to use, and basketballs are relatively affordable. There is always a chance to find a dream. Although there isn’t an NBA fan “definition,” there are certain trends that can help the league and business owners market to this demographic. Being online and having materials that are ready to share socially is critically important. Following sports creates a camaraderie that can spread word of mouth marketing quickly. Fans engage in venues and while they’re watching games. Having a brand involved with that process can quickly generate high levels of loyalty.

Why You Need to be Mobile to Reach NBA Fans

 * 1 in 3 NBA fans owns at least one smartphone. Another 8-10% plan to purchase a smartphone in the near future.
 * This demographic is 40% more likely to use a mobile device to access their social networks.
 * NBA fans are more likely to access and download video clips, programs, and movies online than the general population.
 * There are more than 450 million total NBA fans and their online quest to access stats and specific data about their favorite teams and players has increased by more than 66% since the 2012-2013 season.

In 2018, women earned 85% of what men earned, based on a Pew Research Center analysis of the gender pay gap in the United States. But what about in sports? ​​

When it comes to compensation, the sports world offers a lot of fascinating trends – huge, multi-year contracts, endorsement deals, and constant media attention amplifying athletes’ brands. Unfortunately, we associate these things almost exclusively with men. Even just 50 years ago, women playing sports recreationally was not widely accepted in American culture.

Three Statements Often Used to Explain the Sports Pay Gap
We see frequent explanations of why the gender pay gap in sports exists, and why it is so large:


 * Men’s sports receive vastly more media coverage, television licenses, and sponsorship deals, which contribute to higher revenue.
 * Men’s sports generate higher revenue, so male athletes are paid higher salaries.
 * Male athletes receive more money through endorsements and personal branding initiatives, further widening the sports pay gap.

It’s prudent to acknowledge that male athletes make more money because they play in more lucrative leagues. But even adjusting for revenue, we find that female athletes are still being short-changed – and it’s within our control to fix it.

Let’s examine inconsistent business models in tennis and basketball, the history and tradition of Title IX, and subtle biases that still permeate sports media coverage.