There’s nothing quite like a viral sports moment that captures the hearts and minds of fans around the world. From a daredevil skateboarder’s spectacular fall to a soccer goal that was saved by a brave dog, these moments evoke excitement and awe. These are the kind of moments that sports marketers dream about creating.
Athletes and leagues rely on social media to connect with fans in real-time, build their personal brand, and drive engagement. But even more importantly, these platforms are a vehicle for generating buzz and trending content. Athletes and teams know that going viral is the best way to get their message heard and seen by more people.
With that in mind, we analyzed the most popular social posts from the biggest sports leagues and looked for patterns. We found that the most popular viral posts from each league ranked on impressions, and there were some interesting trends across the board.
As a result, it’s no surprise that some of the biggest viral sports moments centered on sensationalism and attention-grabbing claims. For example, a commentator’s bold statement that a favored team will win the Super Bowl may go viral and generate buzz, but it could also prove to be inaccurate. This type of commentary is incentivized by the desire for profitability, and it can have significant ramifications on the quality of sports journalism.