Gen Z loves sports, and it goes beyond just tuning into games. YPulse’s Sports and Athletes report shows 63% of 13-17-year-olds and 68% of 18-24-year-olds consider themselves fans, with over half (56% of teens and 65% of young adults) watching games weekly or more often. And these young consumers are being influenced by athletes they know and love, from the products they buy to the content they engage with. YPulse data shows majority (60%) of young people are more likely to buy products from their favorite athletes if they’re related to the sport and 62% say if those products are true to their personality. So, if brands are looking to break into the sports space, it’s important to note the athletes Gen Z looks up to. In YPulse’s Sports and Athletes survey, we ask 13-39-year-olds to name their favorite athlete—and why—as an open-ended question.* With hundreds of responses, making the top 15 means these athletes have a real hold on Gen Z. Our data shows that while longstanding, established athletes...
- Article
