Day: August 13, 2025

Whether it’s an awe-inspiring play, a heartwarming tribute or just a funny video, viral sports moments capture the world’s imagination and spark conversation. Sports leagues, teams and athletes know that these moments are powerful ways to connect with fans and build brand awareness. They also help create global communities of team loyalty.

This year’s been a remarkable one for viral sports moments. From Luke Littler’s eloquent darts tribute to fallen service members to the Cam Newton saga and more, 2024 has provided a remarkable amount of sports media magic.

While the internet may be quick to dismiss Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem, he created a lasting impact on America and the world. His story has been replicated by countless athletes and inspired dialogue about the importance of patriotism in sports.

The Olympics also brought its share of viral moments. From the disgusting Olympic accommodations to a wolf roaming luger Kate Hansen’s hotel, there were plenty of moments that went viral and helped bring the games to life for millions of people.

MLB and NBA teams also know the power of creating viral content. Using Google Trends and other tools, they can identify the topics that are trending among fans and pitch journalists with unique new data about their favorite players and teams. In addition, they can target sports journalists who have already written articles about a popular subject and pitch them with more content that’s guaranteed to get their audience talking.

Across all sports, fans are eager to engage with their favorite teams and players. Rather than wait for traditional media outlets, they seek out and engage with social media content like real-time games, play-by-play updates, goal announcements, etc. The social media platform also enables athletes to interact directly with their fans, fostering a deeper emotional connection that strengthens fan loyalty and engagement.

Athletes are often celebrated as icons, but their humanness is also an important part of the sport experience. Athletes’ personal social media channels allow them to showcase behind-the-scenes images, training routines and locker room banter, humanizing them for their fans and building a stronger bond that promotes loyalty and investment in their career.

Social media also allows athletes to reach and interact with a global audience in unprecedented ways. Through a platform’s real-time functionality, athletes can communicate with fans from all over the world, creating virtual stadiums where they celebrate victories and commiserate defeats together.

Social media also empowers athletes to build a unique brand image that promotes and grows their personal earnings, both during the playing season and after they hand up their athletic gear. The engaged social media following a player amasses can increase their market value and provide them with lucrative business opportunities once they retire from playing.