Will Grandstand change public perception of athletes?
Professional athletes haven’t always moonlighted as content creators or vice versa. There have been notable misfires, like Shaquille O’Neal’s rap album or J. Cole’s brief stint in the Basketball Africa League.
However, as Draymond Green and others have pointed out, new media have arrived. Basketball players, baseball stars and golfers have increased their influence on the media and become producers. For instance, you may see household names like Kyrie Irving or Juju Smith-Schuster streaming themselves playing video games on Twitch.
While some athletes have created accounts on mainstream social media sites, others are heading for a website where they can have more ownership. You might check out Grandstand if you want exclusive content from your favorite players.
Will Ventures started Grandstand after raising nearly $3 million to fund this creator-friendly app. Now, athletes have a space to be themselves, own content and potentially increase their earnings. Paid subscribers can participate in Q&A sessions, see behind-the-scenes footage and get early access to merchandise.
Grandstand gives athletes a platform to humanize themselves and tell stories. They don’t have to worry about self-censorship or a reporter misquoting them — now, they can speak freely and connect with people. From pregame meals to nighttime routines, they show a side average fans will not see.
After all, athletes are human. Your favorite WNBA star or Olympic gold medalist has a life outside their sport. For instance, they may love cooking or dancing. Displaying these hobbies and traits can make an........
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