Athletes and brands use viral marketing to create a buzz around their events, athletes, or products. Viral marketing uses compelling content such as thrilling fight highlights, training sessions and athlete stories to spread across social media and the internet. It helps athletes expand their businesses and engage with fans in a way that’s cost-effective without the need for traditional advertising.
With platforms such as Instagram, X and TikTok magnifying every highlight reel, certain sports moments transcended the game and became global conversations. From a heartwarming goodbye to a record-breaking debut, these viral moments entertained, inspired and broke the internet.
1. Shohei Ohtani Foul Ball
When a foul ball knocked out the LED lights on Coors Light’s stadium ad, the brand leaned into the moment and created a successful campaign that surpassed even their own expectations. By embracing the moment, they demonstrated that their message could be amplified with a small budget, and positioned themselves as an innovative leader in the space of sports sponsorships.
2. Jose Bautista Bat Flip
When José Bautista flipped his bat in celebration of his home run, he ignited the crowd into an insane frenzy that was captured on video and shared all over social media. This viral moment was an amazing example of how one iconic sports moment can inspire a global movement that unites people from all walks of life to celebrate the power and beauty of sport.