Saturday I was in the Verizon store begrudgingly getting a new phone and I was talking to a mom and her daughter next to me. The mom. About my age, was bemoaning all this “technology” and how the ‘80’s and the ‘70’s was better. I laughed and looked at the daughter, who was 22 and a recent graduate embarking on a career as a veterinarian assistant, and told her actually this is the best time to be alive, and that the best of our world is still ahead.
It made me think as we just pass the midway point of the year about all the hyper speed activity we have had and seen in our industry that was not predictable but yet here we are watching, involving and growing as we constantly adapt and learn.
Just think about this for a second.
As 2021 ended. Did we see collectively…
A life changing and saving incident on an NFL field that will alter for the better, the way serious health issues will be dealt with in the future (Damar Hamlin)
The wake up and see the global sports investment future being dropped in our laps (LIV Golf and PGA Tour, Monumental Sports and Qatari in Investment)
Record growth and tangible opportunities in women’s sports (NWSL and WNBA valuations, and now the merger in women’s hockey to end the quarter).
The expansion of AI and its continued refinement use for those not without fear of technology.
The expanded investment in sports on the African continent (although this is still very much in flux), while Chinese interest continues to be very tenuous.
The proof that even the “traditional” can find ways to adapt (MLB rule changes).
The buzz, and business in some areas, of Formula 1 and racquet sports like Padel and Pickleball.
The unabated continued grassroots growth of Flag Football as a real global property.
The proactive push for inclusion in sport while still evolving and hitting bumps along the way as we deal with personalities and points of view that don’t always mesh (Good list by OutSports on the leaders in sports business form the LGBTQ+ community here).
While also somewhat on the radar, the continued expansive sales of pro franchises like the Phoenix Suns, the fluidness of Name, Image and Likeness, the continued contraction of “traditional” media platforms with high level and midlevel staff, the rise of deep pocket platforms like Apple and Amazon into the sports consumer business, and as we get older the loss of friends (two Jimmy’s I have lost in recent months) all may seem like more wistfulness than wonderment, but I think as we head to July I remain excited and bullish on how we learn and grow together.
It’s not easy. It takes a village. It will not be perfect. But give me today’s challenges and opportunities and the ability to keep moving forward over any other time holistically.
The glass needs to be half full, look at the drinks we have just had in the past six months.
I loved the ‘70’s and the ‘80’s for sure. But give me a new smartphone any day, or whatever we have ahead.
