The New York Mets are making a play for young sports fans with new branding, entertainment at games, and more. YPulse’s Scouting Next Gen Sports Fans trend research reveals that Gen Z and Millennials are in fact sports fans, with 63% of 13-39-year-olds considering themselves one. However, they aren’t watching games and leagues the same way previous generations did, opening up new opportunities via social media, streaming, and video games. The New York Mets are listening, and is officially partnering with Range Media Partners LLC to develop live comedy throughout games, update existing spaces in the stadium where people can gather, add more screens throughout the baseball park, and integrate more technology upgrades, according to Natalia Bruss, managing partner at Range. Sponsors like Airbnb are also joining the New York Mets’ new development—the two brands turned unused office space at Citi Field into a one-night stay available to fans this past July. Major League Baseball (MLB) is the No. 4 sports league among Gen Z and Millennials, and the New York Mets hopes to increase its status among young people by differentiating itself. (WSJ)
