Walker & Dunlop’s Post

Basketball fanatics will spend more than a full day — 36 hours — completely consumed by the sport during March Madness in 2024. Between watching games (13 hours), creating brackets (three hours) and discussing it with family and friends (five hours), a survey of 2,000 basketball fanatics ages 21+ revealed that during the three weeks of March Madness, nothing else matters. And that’s not even counting the time they’ll spend engaging with online content (five hours), watching highlights (five hours), and placing bets (three hours). Data also shows that March Madness can take precedent over their daily routines and social events. In fact, more than one-quarter (26%) admit they’ve skipped work, while one in five have canceled dates (17%) and even birthday parties (17%) just to ensure they don’t miss the action on the court. Lifelong or bandwagon, more than three-quarters (76%) of respondents have a favorite team they're rooting for this March, and 59% of those fans believe their team has what it takes to make it to the Final Four. Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Tipico - North America, results also revealed that an astounding 88% of fans are likely to stay loyal to their team and will watch every second of their games, even if they’re losing big. Taking that a step further, die-hard fans will also sport their team’s apparel while watching other games (47%) and passionately always root against their rival (41%). In fact, respondents are more likely to hope for a miracle (46%) or stay confident until there are no other options (45%) when their team is losing, compared to leaving the room (10%) or putting on a different game (9%). But everyone has their limits — if their team is down by 19 points in the second half, the average fan starts to give up hope that they can win. The survey also found basketball fanatics are willing to spend a whopping $570 on their overall March Madness experience this year. This year, 39% of basketball fans plan to place bets on the tournament this year. Not only that, but they’re also planning to win more than in previous years. The average bettor has won about 46% of the bets they’ve placed in the past, but this year, bettors plan to average winning 59% of their bets. In total, bettors plan to claim an average total of $261 this year. This may be why 46% of basketball fans are more likely to place bets during March Madness than any other time of the year. However, few fans are willing to throw loyalty out the window for a shot at a higher payout. Only 24% admit they have placed bets against their favorite team and that they would do so again. More than half (54%) say that their loyalty to their favorite team runs so deep that they have never placed bets against their favorite and never will. https://lnkd.in/gvZfPHSZ

🏀 She Shoots - She Scores! 🏀 NCAA basketball tournaments are underway, and Numerator surveyed nearly 500 consumers to find out their tournament-watching plans. Here’s what we found: ⛹️♀️ 30% of consumers plan to tune in to the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament. The top reasons for watching the women’s tournament include: 🎉 They like the social aspect (32%) 🏀 They generally enjoy watching women’s college basketball games (31%) ⛹️♀️ They like watching specific players (23%). ⛹️♀️ Among those consumers who like watching specific players, the favorites were Caitlin Clark (79%), JuJu Watkins (26%), Angel Reese (23%), Paige Bueckers (21%), and Aaliyah Edwards (17%). ⛹️♀️ When asked how much they agreed/disagreed with the statement "Caitlin Clark has had / is having a positive impact on women’s sports," 59% of all NCAA tournament viewers somewhat or strongly agreed, 19% neither agree nor disagreed, 3% somewhat or strongly disagreed, and 19% did not know of Caitlin Clark. #Numerator #MarchMadness #NCAAbasketball #basketball #MarchMadness2024 #survey

The Paradox of Athletes and Entertainers: Exploring the Connection Discover the fascinating irony between athletes and entertainers, as they strive to excel in each other's domains. Join us as we delve into the interconnected world of basketball players turned rappers and rappers turned ballplayers. Uncover the unexpected links and hidden talents within these two realms. #AthletesTurnedEntertainers #EntertainersTurnedAthletes #SportsMeetsEntertainment #CrossoverTalents #AthleteRappers #RapperBallplayers #IronyOfTwoWorlds #InterconnectedRealms #HiddenTalents #AthletesandEntertainers

This basketball tip reveals a common mistake that could be holding you back. By rising all the way across the screen, you're giving the defender an easy path to contest your shot. 🏀 ✨ Instead, try this game-changing move: Back up directly behind the screen, aligning it between you and your defender. This strategic positioning blocks the defender's contest path, giving you the space you need to make your move and take the shot with confidence. At G.E.A.R., we're all about empowering athletes with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks to elevate your game!💪 🎥: @pureshooters | TikTok #GEAR #BasketballTips #Basketball #YouthAthletes #StretchingTips #YouthSports#YouthAthletics #FinancialConstraints #FinancialBarriers #YouthEmpowerment #AthleticsForAll #MakingADifference #UnlockPotential #BreakBarriers #EmpowerYouth #LevelThePlayingField #SportsForAll #AthleticEquality #YouthEmpowerment #CommunitySupport #YouthDevelopment

The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has completed its first two rounds, and the Sweet 16 is now set. Star players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers are expected to shine in the national spotlight and compete for the championship. Using data from SBRnet's Annual Study of Sports Fans, Bryce Hadley has analyzed some major trends in women's sports. One of the key takeaways from this analysis is that the 18-24 age group has shown the biggest increase in fan participation in women's sports. Specifically, in 2023, there was a 123.7% increase in 18-24-year-olds attending women's sporting events, which was the highest increase observed among any sport in our dataset. https://lnkd.in/geYYYMyy

🏀🔥 Ready to dive into the world of basketball? Here's a quick background to get you started! Basketball is a fast-paced, high-energy team sport played on a rectangular court with two hoops at either end. The objective is to score points by shooting the ball through the opposing team's hoop. Each team has five players on the court at a time, and the game is divided into four quarters. Originally invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 as a way to keep his students active during the winter months, basketball has evolved into a global phenomenon. It is played at various levels, from casual pick-up games in neighborhoods to professional leagues like the NBA. Key skills in basketball include shooting, dribbling, passing, and defense. Players need to work together to outscore their opponents and secure a win. The game is known for its thrilling dunks, three-point shots, and buzzer-beaters that keep fans on the edge of their seats. Whether you're a player, coach, or fan, basketball offers excitement, competition, and camaraderie. So grab a ball, hit the court, and experience the thrill of this dynamic sport! #Basketball #Hoops #Teamwork #Sports #GameOn #BallIsLife 🏀🔥

Representation matters. When young girls see themselves reflected in toys and media, they gain the confidence to dream big and believe that they can achieve anything. One powerful example is seeing female athletes, like professional basketball players, represented in toys. It sends a strong message: "Oh, this is something I could do." These role models help break down gender stereotypes and show young girls what is possible. As we strive for equality and inclusivity, let's remember the impact of diverse representation. Whether it's in STEM, sports, leadership, or any other field, every young girl deserves to see her potential reflected back at her.

The unreasonable and unethical power (bordering on bullying) that Nike exercises on Team USA and its players, when they are the sponsor. But then again Nike's corporate values continue to be: - Community - Sustainability - Diversity - Social responsibility (You be the judge of how extensively they live and resonate these corporate values) #BusinessEthics #SponsorBullying #TeamUSA #USABasketball

I couldn’t wait to open LinkedIn this morning after watching that insane WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) Championship series! It was everything a fan could dream of... an intense, thrilling final from start to finish. Either team could have taken it home, but it was a battle between the best of the best. On one side, we had the top defensive team, led by the current Defensive Player of the Year and the Commissioner’s Cup champions (who beat the NY Liberty in the final this year). On the other side, an almost unstoppable force with the past MVP and one of the best point guards in the league. But here's the real story: I don’t think people fully grasp the significance of the NY LIBERTY winning. In 2019, Clara Wu Tsai and her husband took a massive leap of faith by buying the Liberty when no one else wanted to invest in the team or the WNBA. Fast forward to 2024, and the Liberty went from playing in front of 2,000 fans to selling out THE Barclays Center with over 18,000 in attendance. Six years of building, acquiring talent like Ionescu, Stewart, and Jones, hiring the right coach, and committing to a long-term vision, all leading to this moment. Here are 3 key lessons we can take from this historic season and the NY Liberty: 1) Trust the Process: If you believe in something, give it the time it needs to grow. Greatness doesn’t happen overnight, but if you build it the right way, it will happen. 2) Investing in Women’s Sports Pays Off: This championship series, especially last night's Game 5, shattered viewership and attendance records. As Clara Wu Tsai so perfectly said last night: "Look what can happen when you have an intention and you put resources, care, and attention to it. This is what can happen when you invest in women." 3) Everyone on the Team Matters: When your top performers aren’t performing, your bench needs to step up. Yesterday, the Liberty bench gave a masterclass in how hustle and heart can outshine raw talent. Sabally’s incredible performance is proof of that. What a series, what a season! Women's sports are only just getting started! #InvestInWomenSport #NYLiberty #WNBAChampionship #WomenInSports

Kaitlyn Clark vs. Angel Reese: The Athletic Debate In this passionate discussion, we break down the performances of Kaitlyn Clark and Angel Reese, exploring the nuances of their skills and the role race plays in sports debates. Join us as we highlight athleticism over bias in this exciting matchup! #KaitlynClark #AngelReese #SportsDebate #AthleticAbility #WomenInSports #BasketballSkills #SportsAnalysis #GameOn #AthleticComparison #InclusiveSports