NFL and College Football Are Marketing Gold Mines
Football dominates U.S. sports, drawing massive audiences and attracting an expanding range of advertisers and brands.
In the sports-loving United States, football reigns supreme, with a 2025 S&P Global poll finding that 51% of adults watch the sport. Basketball follows with 31% viewership. The 2026 NFL Super Bowl LX drew nearly 138 million viewers, proving the popularity of football ads. Brands can advertise on TV, online, at venues, or through product tie-ins.
The brands associated with football are far from stereotypical—adidas, for instance, creates athletic gear and apparel for football fans. Bath & Body Works, an unlikely brand, offers a popular Football Season candle that capitalizes on football's massive reach. Football transcends demographics and cultures, with teams and talent followed globally.
Visa, a Visa's global reach opens new avenues to engage fans through a shared passion. While the NFL is the dominant force in American football, college football also garners huge audiences and attracts major brands. Samsung recently honored ESPN broadcaster Lee Corso's retirement through a social media campaign, highlighting the sport's enduring appeal.
Football's broad-based fan base and cultural significance ensure its staying power as a marketing powerhouse.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
