00:00 Introduction to Haley Welch and the Hock Tua Phenomenon 01:21 Media Coverage: Barstool Sports and Rolling Stone 08:04 The Cultural Significance of Haley Welch 08:39 Economic Impact and Brand Potential 13:26 Fandom Dynamics and Cultural Relevance 18:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Fanalytics is a part of the Professors.fm podcast network - making sense of the world with top scholars.   Check out more Fanalytics content at fandomanalytics.com and fanalytics.substack.com.    And make sure to follow us on social!  Instagram: @fanalyticsmikelewis Twitter: @fanalyti ..read more

In this episode of the Fanalytics podcast, the focus is on examining the future of Olympic fandom, particularly in light of the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. The episode is divided into three parts: the foundational strength of Olympic fandom, an analysis of fandom using the WILD framework, and the impact of demographics, technology, and marketing on the future of Olympic fandom. Key highlights include the historical paradox of Olympic viewership, the strong national identification that fuels fandom, and the challenges posed by the fragmented media landscape and changing demographics. The epis ..read more

We are still taking a short break from our usual publishing schedule for new episodes this summer. But to keep you entertained, we've handpicked some of our best episodes for you to listen to during the break Icon Source EVP and former NFL punter Drew Butler joins the show to discuss empowering student-athletes with a platform to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness.  This episode features discussion of how NIL works, how NIL presents opportunities for student athletes beyond their playing days, and how student athletes can benefit brands on the local and national level. Follow ..read more

Future Fandom Insights: The WNBA's Growing Influence and Marketing Impact In this episode of the Fanalytics podcast's Future Fandom series, we explore the rising influence of the WNBA and its significant stories from women's collegiate and professional basketball in 2023 and 2024. The discussion covers foundational stories of WNBA fandom, analyzes fandom dimensions using the WILD framework, and examines the future impacts of demographics, technology, and marketing. We delve into the challenges and opportunities for the WNBA to shift from national appeal to increased local fandom, while acknowl ..read more

We are still taking a short break from our usual publishing schedule for new episodes this summer. But to keep you entertained, we've handpicked some of our best episodes for you to listen to during the break. Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee of Twitter and IG) and Professor Mike Lewis are offering a short course on “Storytelling and Analytics” at Emory University. Jay is a senior writer at Yahoo Sports.  The course is being taught for our campus MBA program, but we are taking the opportunity to offer (parts of) the course a little more broadly by leveraging some modern means of communication.&nbs ..read more

We are still taking a short break from our usual publishing schedule for new episodes this summer. But to keep you entertained, we've handpicked some of our best episodes for you to listen to during the break. In this podcast, Emory Marketing Professor Mike Lewis discusses how culture wars impact fandoms in sports and entertainment. Lewis defines culture wars as the conflicts that arise when different groups have opposing views on cultural values, norms, and beliefs. Professor Lewis notes that these conflicts can seep into the products that fans are passionate about, including sports and ente ..read more

We're taking a short break from uploading new episodes this summer. But to keep you entertained, we've handpicked some of our best episodes for you to listen to during the break. Kicking things off is an episode about how commercialized sports experiences impact fandom. Welcome to another exciting episode of the Fanalytics Podcast, brought to you by the Emory Marketing Analytics Center. Listen in as we discuss how different generations view sports, the effects of marketing strategies on the fan experience, and how commercialization might be impacting fan loyalty.  But we're not just talk ..read more

In this Fanalytics Podcast episode, Mike Lewis explores the phenomenon known as the 'Caitlin Clark Effect.' Starting with Clark's impressive college career, her rise to fame in 2023, and her impact on women's sports, particularly the WNBA, this interlude episode discusses whether her stardom and influence can be sustained in the long term. Mike delves into the economic and social theories behind superstardom, examining if Caitlin can replicate her success at the professional level. He addresses challenges, market reactions, and potential backlash, aiming to answer if Caitlin Clark will become ..read more

In this episode of Fanalytics, host Michael Lewis discusses the upcoming changes and direction for the show. He introduces new partnerships, the shift to using Substack for detailed content, and the focus on analyzing the future of fandom across different sports and cultural entities. Key topics include the impact of technology, demographics, and marketing on fandom, and an introduction to the W.I.L.D. framework for assessing fandom. Upcoming focus areas will include the WNBA, the Olympics, and collegiate sports in the NIL era.   00:00 Welcome to the Fanalytics Podcast 00:05 Exciting Chan ..read more

In this podcast episode, Emory Marketing Professor Mike Lewis talks about the limited coverage of men's college basketball pre-March, its popularity spike during the NCAA tournament, and the fervent fandom it attracts as the premier event in sports. In this podcast episode, Emory Marketing Professor Mike Lewis discusses lack of men's college basketball coverage before March, the sport's explosion in popularity during the NCAA tournament, and fandom surrounding the greatest tournament in all of sports. The discussion shifts to women's college basketball, noting its significant media attention a ..read more