"The Sports Industry’s Gen Z Problem" And Golf

Move over M’s!

The Z’s are here and if the last decade’s millennial pandering is any indication, Generation Z is the sports industry’s new focus.

At least, given the numbers presented by The Morning Consult’s Alex Silverman showing less Gen Z enthusiasm for sports than millennials.

Simply put, those born from 1996 and on do not appear to be serious sports viewing fans.

Gen Z’s relative disinterest in sports is reflected in its viewing habits: While 42 percent of all adults, and 50 percent of millennials, said they watch live sports at least once a week, only 1 in 4 individuals ages 13-23 said the same. In addition, Gen Zers were twice as likely as millennials to say they “never” watch live sports.

They are, apparently, degenerate gamblers in the making…

Zach Leonsis, senior vice president of strategic initiatives at franchise ownership group and media company Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said the keys to growing live viewership among young fans are accessibility and opportunities for engagement.

“Sports properties need to make sure that their games are digestible and available via streaming products,” Leonsis said. “They need to make their games engaging by fostering gamification, daily fantasy, free-to-play games and, ultimately, sports betting.”

Golf did not fare too well in the findings, failing to make the chart above showing avid or casual numbers, landing in the 17% or below group that includes MLS, F1 and the Premier League but below UFC, NASCAR and the WNBA.

The polling was conducted a month ago, thereby not accounting for this summer’s pandemic-related spike in recreational interest. Either way, expect golf organizations to lose their minds over this data and make the millennial pandering pale by comparison.

As for “engagement” of teenagers via gambling, I wonder if that’s data-based or just wishful thinking for an industry looking to expand revenue streams.