Key Takeaways
Why & How to Stand Out in Sports as a Business: Learn why it's not even harder to make it to the top these days and how to balance performance with content creation, branding, and partnerships to differentiate yourself, even without being the top talent.
Gain a Competitive Edge & Set New Records by Embracing a Lead User Role: Shift your mindset to become a co-developer with product companies, innovate better gear to achieve more, create an innovative brand that connects with new fans, and set trends like Nike, or new records like Lucas Clarke’s Unbound 200 single speed ride.
Do it all with Video & Full Spectrum Analytics: Use advanced tools to unlock performance like Tom Brady, build a personal brand that connects with new fans, and shape the products that help you stay ahead.
Jump Ahead:
Next time, How to Maximize Your Time for Peak Performance: Discover how to manage the growing workload without compromising training, recovery, or performance, even if you don’t have a professional team doing it all for you like the elites.
Sports as a Business: The New Complex Landscape for Athletes
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: sports aren’t just about raw talent or skill anymore— they've evolved from niche hobbies into a multifaceted business. From dynamic franchises to athletes building their own personal brands, sports have become an industry where performance alone is not enough. Teams focus on profitable franchises, fan engagement has soared through social media, and athletes must excel both on and off the field to succeed.
How the Seattle Sounders created the most profitable soccer franchise when soccer wasn’t a thing in the US
A prime example of this shift is the Seattle Sounders, who turned Major League Soccer (MLS) into a top-tier, profitable franchise. Their success wasn’t just built on victories; it was the result of masterful branding, community-focused engagement, and a 360 lifestyle marketing & product strategy. They created an authentic connection with their fanbase, embedding the team and players in the local culture. This proves that success in modern sports is about building lasting relationships with fans and brands—not just competing in the game. This approach isn’t limited to teams; athletes can take similar steps to elevate their careers and become icons in their own right. References: (18) The Growth of MLS – Seattle Sounders Case Study | LinkedIn, Sounders FC’s success resonates globally | The Seattle Times
The Power of Athletes as Lead Users: Why You Should Think of Yourself as a Co-Developer of Innovations for an Edge
“When you look at sporting achievements over the last decades, it seems like humans have gotten faster, better and stronger in nearly every way. Yet as David Epstein points out in this delightfully counter-intuitive talk, we might want to lay off the self-congratulation.” - David Epstein, Ted Talk
To make it as a top professional athlete today—with a sustainable career—your opportunity is to think of yourself as more than just a competitor. Your opportunity is to be a lead user.
Lead users face needs that will be general in a marketplace – but face them months or years before the bulk of that marketplace encounters them, and
Lead users are positioned to benefit significantly by obtaining a solution to their needs and so may innovate.
As a lead user, you don't only benefit from new innovations—you help shape them. By working with brands and product developers, you influence the next generation of gear and equipment, not only improving your own performance but also paving the way for advancements that can be used by athletes at all levels empowering you to influence trends and bring value that extends beyond the playing field. Think of yourself as both an athlete and an entrepreneur, shaping your career, your sport, and the gear you use to fuel your success.
How Nike focused on Amateur Lead Users to Reposition for Growth
Nike recognized this early on when Phil Knight was a runner and Nike was run by runners and so served as their own lead users. They then made a habit of talking directly to top athletes—whether they were sprinters, basketball players, or football stars—gaining insights into their needs and challenges. In the early days, Nike’s success was built on the premise that athletes knew best what they needed to perform at the highest level. This idea led to the co-development of iconic products that didn’t just look good but worked better than anything else on the market.
However, Knight eventually realized that focusing solely on the top athletes wasn’t enough. Nike was missing out on the broader market—the weekend athletes, the amateurs who also needed products that fit their needs. This lesson taught Nike that a deeper connection with athletes at all levels is essential.
Source: High-Performance Marketing: An Interview with Nike’s Phil Knight
The Key for Every Athlete to Rise Above the Rest: How Video and Full Spectrum Analytics Helps You
To fully embrace your role as a lead user, you need the right tools. This is where video and full-spectrum analytics come in - it’s a game changer. These technologies provide athletes with insights that can transform the way they approach training, build their personal brand, and connect with fans and sponsors.
Performance Enhancement: Video analysis allows athletes to review game tape and training sessions as well as life events, breaking down technique and pinpointing areas for improvement. Full spectrum analytics take this further, tracking performance over time and revealing patterns that highlight strengths and weaknesses. This data-driven approach fuels continuous improvement. Just ask Tom Brady—his relentless study of game tape and data has been a key factor in going from a long shot draft to a legacy.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-11-23/tom-brady-great-quarterback-buccaneers-patriots-nfl
Building Fan Community & Loyalty: Video not only enhances performance; it also deepens the connection with fans. By sharing behind-the-scenes footage, training insights, and personal stories, athletes create a sense of authenticity that resonates with supporters. Fans don’t just want to watch games—they want to see the journey. Video content offers a window into the athlete's life, building emotional connections that turn casual viewers into die-hard supporters.
UAE's Tadej Pogačar, and top 5 cyclist by followers on Instagram shares his moments of motivation https://www.instagram.com/p/C9m9k7oIPZ_/?hl=en
Marketing and Sponsorships: Sponsors today seek athletes who stand out, not only for their performance but for their ability to connect with audiences. Video provides a platform for athletes to showcase their personalities and values, while analytics help measure engagement and fan demographics. This data can attract sponsors who align with your brand and amplify your reach.
USA Olympic Sprinter & Medalist, Noah Styles & other sprinters know brand building is important (though maybe controversial) https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/sprint-release-date-trailer-news
Product Innovation: As a lead user, you are in the unique position to influence product development. By sharing your challenges and feedback through video, you provide valuable insights for brands. This feedback loop ensures that products are designed to meet the needs of athletes in real-world scenarios, from the professional to the amateur. Nike’s success shows that when athletes collaborate with product developers, the result is innovative gear that benefits everyone. Lucas Clarke is already breaking records with his lead user mindset.
Lucas Clarke’s Unbound 200 single speed ride had us speechless, and the numbers tell the story impressively: 1st place Singlespeed 200miles, Fastest 200 mile singlespeed time in the history of Unbound, First singlespeed to break twelve hours, FIRST athlete / bike, period, through the mud to the first timing point.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Markets are shifting, and athletes are at the center of it. The athlete-centric lifestyle model is growing, with more brands—particularly luxury companies—pivoting toward athletes as the next key demographic to unlock new markets. This creates unprecedented opportunities for partnerships beyond traditional sponsorships, spanning wellness, tech, and lifestyle industries.
HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOU & US AT UP ELECTROMODS: LEADING THE CHARGE IN EMERGING SPORT CATEGORIES
If you’re a cyclist, especially in the adventure e-bike category, now is the time to work with UP Electromods to lead innovation. Extreme adventure cycling can drive interest and growth in e-mobility, but it starts with cyclists sharing their needs and experiences with sponsors and developers.
Much like Nike relied on athletes for gear innovation, e-cyclists can use video and full-spectrum analytics to refine performance, inspire new tools, and shape the sport’s future—all while building a personal brand that attracts fans and sponsors.
The future of e-cycling isn’t just about great bikes; it’s about creating an ecosystem where athletes and innovators collaborate to co-develop tools, share feedback, and improve the experience for everyone. Video and full spectrum analytics empower cyclists in the multi-faceted roles of today's athlete:
Competitor: Reviewing game footage to identify patterns and performance gains.
Content Creator: Sharing behind-the-scenes stories to connect with fans.
Brand Builder: Showcasing moments of grit to attract sponsors.
Lead User: Providing developers with feedback to inspire next-gen tools.
Next Time: Challenges, Needs, & Better Tools
Next time, How to Maximize Your Time for Peak Performance: Discover how to manage the growing workload without compromising training, recovery, or performance, even if you don’t have a professional team doing it all for you like the elites.
Comments