Stepping into the Right Direction
EA Sports, Golf, and white whale mktg are one step closer
On Today’s Agenda:
EA Sports NHL23 cover athletes, reveal trailer released
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy launch tech-based Golf league
Building a sports marketing business
Breaking the (Digital) Ice
EA Sports NHL23 cover athletes, reveal trailer released
By Hiral Patel
This past week, hockey fans were treated to the annual release of EA Sports’ NHL video game athlete cover and reveal trailer. Most of the “Chel” community was looking forward to the new updates of the game and to see who will don the cover of the game. The last two cover athletes (Auston Matthews and Alexander Ovechkin) were both repeat cover athletes.
NHL 23 fans were treated to a duo of new cover athletes – Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, and Team Canada’s Sarah Nurse. Nurse will make history as the first woman to appear on the cover (and Zegras also marks the first Duck to be on the cover). The goal of the cover was to reflect “hockey’s expanding fanbase and [emphasize] that it is a sport best experienced together”, as explained by Mike Inglehart – EA Vancouver’s Creative Director.
The “X-Factor Edition” cover gives a much more casual vibe to the game – with Nurse and Zegras wearing some of their gear with palm trees behind them. Some fans were critical of the cover design, although the standard edition has the athletes in their full gear. This was also seen in the reveal trailer, which had a stream-based theme to it – introducing some new elements to the game and featuring both Nurse and Zegras playing the game (as themselves).
You do not have to look far to find criticism from fans and players of the game. Some were unimpressed with EA’s lack of innovation in adding new features and bringing back some fan favourites. Others took to social media to express their disappointment in the choice of cover athletes – which brings the marketability of the athletes to question. It is no secret that NHL athletes have a smaller social media following in comparison to the other leagues that make up the Big 4 in North America (MLB, NBA, NFL). Zegras may not be the biggest star in the NHL, but his highlight reel plays in his rookie season were probably more memorable to the average viewer than any individual player’s name.
Sarah Nurse’s inclusion should also be seen as a big (and long overdue) win for EA. Those who are displeased with the introduction of IIHF women’s hockey players are unable to look past the need for diversity and inclusion in the game – and EA is making a strong push to promote those aspects of the game above all. With limited competition in the hockey gaming world, EA is certainly able to leverage their efforts towards targeting new fans knowing that big fans of the game will buy their copy in October.
The Future of Golf Starts Now
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy launch tech-based Golf league
By AJ Hewish
These last few months have been extremely controversial with the introduction of the PFA Tour’s first possible massive competitor: LIV Golf. But now, the PGA is hitting back, and there are no other two players to hit back at the industry than Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
On Wednesday, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy announced TGL alongside Mike McCarley, the co-founder, and CEO of TMRW Sports Group. TGL will officially be a new golf league that will operate directly with the PGA Tour but is very different. With the introduction of this league, we’re not going to see the world’s best play at the likes of Augusta or Pine Valley, but in first-of-their-kind virtual courses that are specifically designed for the best of the best players in the world. Additionally, these rounds will be hosted in front of a live audience and with a massive TV viewing set to be broadcast across North America.
Beginning January 2024, the TGL will play every Monday night for 15 total nights where participating players will be able to get through 18 holes in only two hours! Seems crazy right? TGL will have 6 teams with 3 PGA golfers each where it appears points-tally standing will decide the winner of the league.
Some of the leaked images simply look astonishing, with incredible incorporation of golf, team competition, and future technology. Look at the teased photos it looks amazing!
This is going to seriously impact the world of Golf by finally bringing new technology into a traditional sport.
One of the many reasons golf is less popular among younger generations is part of our human nature, young people get bored easily, and it’s a fact. Well the PGA and TGL have taken this to heart and introduced a revolutionary way to play golf. No more traditional free-for-all at multiple tournaments across the United States, and no more multi-hour rounds broadcasted on TV.
Finally, we will have a new form of golf. One with brand new tech, shorter rounds, team play, and most importantly, the world’s best golfers once a week and for a shorter duration.
How this will play out with the fans, I guess we’ll find out but here at white whale mktg, it is looking promising and we will be sure to follow along. As for LIV Golf, how can they even respond to something as large as this? It’s time to find out.
The Route Hits 100 Episodes
Building a sports marketing business: Christopher Nascimento’s last 11 months
By Christopher Nascimento
Three years ago I ramped up my networking as I felt the pressure.
If I didn't start, I thought I'd never break into the world of sports so along came coffee chats with people around Ottawa. At the end of each chat, I'd ask for two people they'd suggest I speak to.
Only issue? After some time, it became clear the sports industry in Ottawa isn't the largest. I was being referred to the same people or those I'd already spoken to. That's where the idea for my podcast, The Route, came from. A way to exchange value with those outside of Ottawa in order to make an hour of connecting with me worthwhile.
Since then I've connected with so many great people and it organically became my biggest asset. Without this podcast and the curiosity, I had to learn about the experiences of others I'm sure I wouldn't be in the same position I am today...
Chasing my white whale of building a sports marketing company.
Every 20 episodes I take the time to reflect via the podcast on what's gone on in my career for my future self. This keepsake of mine has spanned from episodes 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and now 100 - varying from my days prior to Founding white whale mktg to hosting an esports tournament to working for Atletico Ottawa.
Tune into episode 100 of The Route, if you'd like to hear about how I'm running my route.
