luquire’s Post

Today, we turn back the pages of sports history to commemorate a landmark moment - the birth of professionalism in American sports, a revolutionary concept introduced by the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1869. 🌟 This day marks not just a leap forward for baseball, but a pivotal shift in the landscape of all sports, signaling the dawn of the professional era. The Cincinnati Red Stockings were not merely a team; they were visionaries who embraced the notion of paid athletes, thereby laying the foundation for the modern professional sports industry. Their bold decision in 1869 has echoed through the ages, setting the stage for advancements in how sports are played, enjoyed, and evolved. As we celebrate this historic day, let's pay tribute to the Cincinnati Red Stockings for their pioneering role in professional sports. Their groundbreaking move in 1869 continues to inspire innovation and excellence in sports, from the fields and courts of play to the immersive experiences enjoyed by fans around the world. Let's honor the legacy of the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the transformative year of 1869, reminding us of the rich history of sports and the endless possibilities for the future. Here's to the past that shaped the present and the innovations that await. ⚾️💼 #CincinnatiRedStockings #ProfessionalismInSports #SportsHistory #1869 #Innovation #AthleteDevelopment #FanEngagement"

HC3 driving Hispanic business and community awareness. Recognizing Hispanic corporate leaders in sports, technology and corporate America.

Knowledge Perk isn't just about great brews - they're revolutionizing the game with a cutting-edge collegiate and professional sports licensing strategy. Here's how they're creating new opportunities: 🏆 Secured licensing partnerships with Appalachian State University, Winthrop University, and Charlotte FC 🌟 Successfully transitioned NIL deals to pro sponsorships (e.g., Nick Mayfield, former Winthrop U golfer turned pro) 🔜 Upcoming collaborations with Clemson University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Coastal Carolina University, Wofford College, and Wake Forest University ☕ Their mission? "Coffee innovation through sports licensing, reaching new audiences." Knowledge Perk's winning formula: ✅ Amplify brand visibility ✅ Leverage strategic athlete-partners ✅ Create authentic, organic advertisements The result? A perfect blend of elevated brand presence and enhanced fan experiences through unique, branded coffee products. This is the new gold standard in fusing sports partnerships with business growth. Knowledge Perk is brewing success, one strategic collaboration at a time. Brands, it's time to wake up and smell the opportunity. This is how you create a buzz in the world of sports marketing! #SportsMarketing #NIL #Innovation #SocialMedia #Influencermarketing

🌟 Monumental Milestone in NIL Deals! 🌟 Top 2025 Florida wide receivers Jaime Ffrench and Vernell Brown just inked groundbreaking NIL deals with American Eagle! 🦅 Here's why this is monumental and what these deals include: Who They Are: - Jaime Ffrench (yes, Ffrench): A five-star prospect from Jacksonville, FL, Ffrench is ranked as one of the top wide receivers in the 2025 class. Known for his elite talent, he's committed to the 2025 All-American Bowl, showcasing his skills on a national stage. - Vernell Brown: A talented receiver making waves in high school football, recognized for his exceptional athletic ability and potential. Why It's Monumental: 1. Breaking New Ground: High-profile brands like American Eagle entering the NIL space underscores the shifting landscape of collegiate sports. It's a significant step in normalizing and legitimizing NIL deals for young athletes. 2. Setting a Precedent: This partnership highlights high school athletes' increasing value and marketability, setting a new standard for future deals. 3. Empowering Athletes: These deals provide athletes with financial benefits and professional experience, preparing them for potential careers in and out of sports. What's Included: - Brand Representation: Jaime and Vernell will represent American Eagle and appear in campaigns and promotions. Financial Compensation: Significant financial incentives provide the athletes with a stable income while still in high school. - Exposure and Opportunities: Enhanced visibility, connecting them with a wider audience and potential future endorsements. This collaboration is not just a win for Jaime and Vernell but a beacon of opportunity for all aspiring young athletes. 🚀 #NIL #CollegeAthletes #AmericanEagle #JaimeFfrench #VernellBrown #SportsMarketing #FutureOfSports #SportsLaw

Pardon this interruption: No. 23: Richard Nixon On this date 50 years ago, Proclamation 4311 was issued by President Gerald Ford, granting a full and unconditional pardon to Richard Nixon, his predecessor, for any crimes that he might have committed against the United States while in office. Ford said he felt the pardon was in the best interests of the country and that the Nixon family's situation was "a tragedy in which we all have played a part. Someone must write an end to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must.” We must admit it is a tricky one to write up in our SoCal sports history bio series, connecting a person, place or thing to a jersey number. But as Nixon loved being a member of the Whittier College Poets football team, and so admired coach Chief Newman (a former USC standout player himself), Nixon said he learn from sports important lessons that carried over into his politics. What’s the lesson here: A precident was set that future presidents keep in their playbook. Upon further review, the call can be overturned. Other famous SoCal 23s — Kirk Gibson, LeBron James, Dustin Brown, David Beckham, Jackie Joyner, Eric Karros — may have a better case for a complete bio chapter (and please look up Diaba Konate from UC Irvine). And we do elaborate on their impact. But this fascinating Nixon tale (who also wore No. 12 and came with grit and ambition to practice every day as teammates describe) reveals a far more compelling link to the overall historic connection to the SoCal sports experience. What do you think?

The University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business is proud to announce that alumnus Stephen M. Schanwald '77, former Executive Vice President of Business Operations with the Chicago Bulls and a trailblazer in sports marketing, has given an $8 million gift to establish the Stephen M. Schanwald Sports Management Program . The gift is part of a larger, $18 million commitment which also supports Maryland Athletics. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eecUD94v Prabhudev Konana

Here are the first two things you need to know about high school athletes in New Jersey taking advantage of Name, Image and Likeness opportunities: - It is legal for them to participate — provided they do not promote their brands at events associated with your team; - There generally isn’t a whole lot of money involved – perhaps nothing more than free food at a local restaurant that they’re representing. The impact, however, can still be far reaching – and have greater meaning. Consider junior basketball players Richie Rosa and Mason Santiago at Saint Peter's Prep in Jersey City. They took advantage of NIL to create a clothing brand, Boricua Guards, that celebrates the legacy of Puerto Ricans playing basketball at the highest levels. Members of the Puerto Rico U17 national team, the two are familiar with the country’s basketball history — Felipe Lopez and J.J. Barea for an older generation; Carlos Arroya, Jose Alvardo and Tremont Waters for those younger. Read more from Tom Bergeron:

Never put a limit on the power of women at work. The WNBA is only 27 years old, the men's league is 77. Caitlin Clark grew up watching women work and is raising the bar for the next generation of #talent. Imagine what the next 50 years will bring knowing the opportunity exists to push the limits of what we can do? #innovation #business #leadership #jobs #sports #money #CultureOfMoney

This past weekend football fans all gathered to watch the Euro Cup final. Sports are an incredible way to relate to others, to build community and to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Unfortunately, there is one demographic of people who are often left out of the world of sports. Women. A common example of this comes when you google, “has the USA ever won the World Cup,” the search results leave you with a misleading impression as the top hits suggest that the United States has never clinched a World Cup title. This isn't true as the US boasts an impressive record in the World Cup, with the women’s team having secured four championship titles—the most of any nation in women's soccer history. Despite the setback it’s not all dark and gloomy. A lot of work is being done to include and highlight women in sports. This year the ESPYs was hosted by Serena Williams, one of the four women who have hosted this event in its 30+ year history. While hosting, she mentioned that 2024 has been an incredible year for women’s sports, and we agree. Here are three iconic things we have loved about women’s sports so far in 2024. 1. The “See my Name” campaign with Molson and the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Rethink, the design agency, solved the issue of female players’ hair obscuring their names at the top of their jerseys. Although this jersey was only a temporary one used for International Women’s Day, Molson is in talks with the PWHL to extend the idea and launch more initiatives to elevate individual players.   2. The NCAA women’s basketball championship was the most-viewed college basketball game (men’s or women’s) ever on ESPN Platforms having 18.9 million viewers with a peak of 24.1 million viewers. This is unprecedented growth. The three-game 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four was up 114% year-over-year and 299% higher than 2022. This is monumental. 3. Queens Park Ladies U12s dominated against 11 other boys' teams in their division, winning 18 and drawing 4 of their 22 games. They scored 61 goals and conceded only 11 all while being an all-girls team in a boy’s league. The team was originally told they had to play in the girl’s league, but the team manager fought for them saying he knew they were “good enough” to play in the boy’s league. That they were. The time of men being perceived as the default in sports is ending and we love to see it.  

Louisiana State University Women's Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey spent time during a press conference over the weekend (twice) criticizing a reporter from The Washington Post over an article that is slated to publish sometime this week. Coach Mulkey read a statement (assuming both legal and comms teams collaborated) to question and address the reporters on-going inquiry into her program and approach.   From a PR perspective, Mulkey did get out in front of the story (which typically would be a feasible option depending on the situation), called it a hit-piece, questioned the reporters integrity, the pending details of the story and threatened legal action. While certainly, this may curry favor for some of her supporters and bring into question the overall accuracy of the story, the Washington Post may ultimately benefit from her public statements due to an increase in subscribers and web traffic. Essentially, Mulkey did the reporter a favor by promoting the article in advance. Some may also argue that Mulkey's aggressive tone may indicate there's truth to some of the elements in the upcoming story...   It's impossible to know what ultimately will be in the story and what the truth is, but this is an interesting case study for PR professionals. If there's a lot of hearsay and off the anonymus quotes in the story, then this may play right into Mulkey's hands as her team remains in the national spotlight during the NCAA WBB Tournament.   I'd love to hear my networks thoughts on LSU's/Mulkey's initial approach. Did they get it right or were they too aggressive? #crisiscommunications #PR #Mediarealtions #brandprotection #highereducation #sportsmedia