Athletes are extremely influential. A recognizable face in sports can go a very long way in promoting a product or a service. Having a marketable sporting figure can dramatically increase a company’s profit. On the other side, for the athlete, agreeing to endorsement deals can improve public persona, revenue and create exposure.
Football/soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and it is not even close. The sheer volume of people who watch and play the sport is mind-boggling. According to FIFA, there are over 265 million soccer players worldwide. Therefore, companies acquiring professional star players in order to promote for them will always be a smart move and undoubtedly increases traffic towards whatever they are selling.
For successful examples, look no further than stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. According to Forbes magazine, Ronaldo has made upwards of 35 million dollars off of endorsements alone. The money goes both ways, meaning that the companies that Ronaldo is connected with such as Nike and Tag Heuer have definitely benefitted from his successful marketing.
One of the most recognizable and influential athletes in the world is footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The public image that Zlatan has created for himself allows him to be a very easy and attractive target for endorsements and marketing opportunities. For example, Bethard – the company that Zlatan co-owns and acts as a brand ambassador for. The simple fact that the 322 goal scorer is attached to the Malta-licensed gambling operator automatically garners more attention towards their day-to-day operations.
While the price tag on these players may be quite high in order to convince them of joining a certain enterprise, the risk is usually largely outweighed by the reward – especially with a player of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s stature. He is prestigious not only in the soccer world, but also in pop culture.