3 Ways Sports Have Developed My Brand

 

 

Brands are developed overtime. Here are three attributes sports have given me to craft my brand as a business student.

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” – Michael Jordan

1) Confidence

Confidence Gives You Determination

As an athlete confidence is a must. You need to have confidence in everything you do within your respective sport. You need to learn to take the shot, swing for the gates, or run like there’s no tomorrow. Confidence is shown in everything you do. Today, I have no issue with confidence in the classroom. I am confident in my ability to deliver results. I am confident to present my work. I am confident in all my work. Confidence is what drives my determination to be successful.

 

2) Determination

Determination Drives Passion

Determination is what drives passion. When I played basketball, the determination to get to the playoffs is what fueled our game. The determination to pass the other team in a relay race is what drove us to work harder together. Determination was only present when passion is in the hearts of the team. In the classroom, determination to be the best is present in nearly every class. In our teams, we must be determined to compete against other teams and deliver the best results we can. We must be determined that we will end with the best project in the class. Determination is what drives a team.

 

3) Passion

Passion Drives Results

Without passion, your team never plays at full potential. When you are on the court, all team members must have passion with what they are doing. You must play with your heart on your sleeve and show how much you are willing to give for the sport. When I played sports, I was very emotional and passionate with everything I did. When I was mad, it was because I cared. When I was happy, it was because I cared. When I went crazy on the refs, it was because I cared. Passion is an indicator of driving results and putting everything you can into what you are doing. As a business student, I must be passionate about the area I am studying. If I’m not passionate I can drive results for my work. I must be passionate to graduate with a business degree.

 

Comment down below, how has your hobby in life branded you in your current career? If you enjoyed the content, please share/like the post, and subscribe to my blog to receive email updates.

Thank you for taking the time to read! Enjoy your day.

Kevin Durant’s Cupcakes

From Hometown Hero to Hometowns Most Hated

This blog looks to outline the change in Kevin Durant’s brand, as he goes from a hometown hero to the hometowns most hated from an athletes’ perspective.

The Origins:

Kevin Durant, one of the greatest players inside and outside of the arena. This is the focal point of KD’s career and his legacy, an all-around athlete. He was involved heavily within the Oklahoma City community and was extremely devoted to his team. This would all eventually change.

 

As a former athlete and fan of the sport, you understand the importance of relationships, involvement, and chemistry. We thrive on great teammates and great support for the community, it is only right for us to give back to both. When I was in high school I played many sports, but we realized what we give we get, more involvement, more support. Kevin Durant brought life back to the communities and ultimately gave nine years to the city. He gave nine years to his family, also known as his teammates.

 

His brand was about to take a massive PR hit. His brand was going to change in the blink of an eye. His brand image is now a cupcake.

 

The Controversy:

July 4^th, 2016, Kevin Durant stunned the world. This is the day everyone found out his decision; This is the day that changed his image. Kevin Durant announces through a blog post, he will be moving to the team who he had on the brink of elimination, the team he lost to, the super-team. This is the day, everything changed, the day he became a “Cupcake” in his once called home.

 

The problem? He did not tell any of his ‘family’, not even his best friend on the team. Everyone found out he was leaving, the same way the world found out. They all found out he was leaving to their rivals, with no personal outing. In my own experiences, losing a friend and teammate is crushing. When you realize, they won’t be there the next season is what hurts most.

 

I have had many friends come and go as we grew older and switch leagues and teams, that situation is what hurts. When you have a leader in the community and a leader on the court, the gravity of the situation is amplified.

 

The Aftermath:

The term cupcake is derived from his love for cupcakes. This may sound positive, but his former community turned his love against him. They use this term to describe how soft he is as person and player. They believe he is weak and reflects what he loves, cupcakes. Not only his is image attacked, but his great footprint behind him is in question.

 

“I’m viewing this as the weakest move I’ve ever seen from a superstar…You are the superstar and you depart for the team that beat you? You’re jumping on the bandwagon. I don’t think there’s any way you can deny that.” – Stephen A. Smith

 

Analysts and reporters are calling his move the worst and weakest move by any athlete in history. They believe just like the community he is weak and needed help to win. This move was a terrible brand move; he now faces the negative reviews of his personal brand and his professional brand. Both are reflected as a weak individual. His teammates are now holding massive grudges, clashing at any chance they get.

 

Final Thoughts:

As a former athlete, I understand the move and the outcome. Though it is not the politically correct move for an athlete, it is his own life decision and a business decision. You must do what is best for you in the end. Your brand is always in the spotlight when you make an impact on and off the court.

 

Please comment below what you think of this move and the impact it had on his brand. If you enjoyed the post, please share or like this blog! If you want more content, hit the follow button on right side of the screen to receive email updates for future posts.

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