NFL finally catching up to NBA’s social media cult of personality

“My ex nonetheless thinks of me.”

That was Antonio Brown, responding on Twitter Thursday night to a report that scores for “Onerous Knocks,” the HBO actuality present following his Oakland Raiders, racked up scores triple the nationwide common in Pittsburgh. That, in fact, was the city AB ran earlier than an unsightly break up final season. Hey, breakups occur, however is there any revenge sweeter than understanding you’re nonetheless in your ex’s thoughts?

It wasn’t the sort of tweet you’d count on from an NFL participant. Matter of truth, it was downright NBA-esque. And though few within the Raiders or Steelers workplace wish to admit it, that’s excellent news for The Defend.

NFL: Dominant however slow-moving

By any goal measure, the NFL’s shadow covers the whole sporting world. NFL video games claimed 46 of the highest 50 broadcasts throughout final yr’s common season. In an period the place a whole lot of tv exhibits scrabble for crumbs of viewership, the Tremendous Bowl continues to do nine-figure numbers, yr after yr.

However for all its dominance, the NFL’s dropping the coolness battle to the NBA by 5 touchdowns. It’s stadium rock in a mixtape world, compact discs to the NBA’s Spotify, too massive and gradual to maintain up with the ever-changing traits of tradition. Certain, the NFL (24.6 million Twitter followers) almost matches the NBA (28.three million) in sheer numbers. However that’s not the purpose. The NFL’s prevailing ethos — the brand on the facet of the helmet is extra vital than the face beneath it — doesn’t fly in a your-life-is-your-brand period.

That’s why guys like Brown — and, earlier than him, fellow exceptions-to-the-rule like Terrell Owens, Deion Sanders and Joe Namath — are a lot enjoyable. They bring about an edge and a character to a recreation designed to sand off any tough edges and boil down even probably the most outlandish personalities into sponsor-friendly Muppets.

Evaluate that with the NBA, a recreation constructed on the thought of particular person improvisation. It’s cliche now to say that the off-court drama has eclipsed something that occurs in an NBA recreation, however that doesn’t make it any much less true. The NBA’s taken the NFL’s fill-every-news-cycle technique and amped that up with an injection of character and star energy. You may examine on LeBron James’ taco choices and wine pairings each Tuesday, you’ll be able to see what fashion-bending outfits James Harden and Russell Westbrook put on earlier than and after each recreation, you’ll be able to see who’s obtained Kevin Durant riled up as we speak and really feel you’re updated with the NBA with out ever even taking a look at a field rating.

Brady, Brown, Mayfield amongst social media leaders

In the end, the NFL’s beginning to catch as much as the NBA’s huge lead. This isn’t the league’s doing, in fact; The Defend would like that every one gamers present up, go well with up, play arduous however humbly, and Act Like They’ve Been There Earlier than in all conditions.

Gamers have flouted that mandate earlier than, however they have been at all times constrained by the restrictions of broadcast media. You’d solely see Namath guaranteeing victory or TO stomping on the Dallas star if tv selected to point out you that. No extra.

Now we’ve obtained Brown firing off bottle rockets in each route, together with proper again at himself. Baker Mayfield calling out all the things from participation-trophy schools to opposing quarterbacks like he’s a Staten Island sports activities radio caller. Shoot, even Tom Brady—the epitome of the NFL institution—exhibits us a slice of his persona on social media. (So what if it’s like your dad telling you that he likes “that rain drop tune from the Migos”? He’s making an attempt.)

There are numerous ranges of technique and forethought at play right here. Mayfield peppers his Twitter feed with sponsor shoutouts. You get the concept that Brown is firing off tweets from his sofa together with his blistered toes propped up, whereas each transmission from TomBradyCorp most likely goes by way of a multi-stage focus-group approval course of. (“I really feel we must always dad-ify him by 10 % or so.”).

Mayfield’s probably the most attention-grabbing case right here. He’s one of many first NFL stars to return of age in a post-Twitter period, and he understands precisely how you can market himself to a youthful viewers. (Shotgunning beers at ballgames, and retweeting approving tweets, is a begin.) Now that Cleveland’s an NFL darling staff, he’s obtained the best present any star can have proper now — anticipation and adulation prematurely of any precise in-game efficiency — and Mayfield seems decided to show the Browns into one thing they haven’t been in, properly, ever: enjoyable. If he’s in a position to pull it off — and social media is a excessive wire act with an extended, lengthy fall — he may very well be the Prime Time for a brand new era. (Are you able to think about an in-his-prime Prime on social media? Ochocinco tweeting whereas working a route? Jim McMahon’s Instagram feed? The thoughts reels.)