Sponsors flock to women’s sports following a successful 2024 World Cup

admin 2024年4月5日

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

allocate /AL-uh-keyt/

[verb] – to give something to someone as their share of a total amount, to use in a particular way
The manager decided to allocate a larger budget to marketing efforts this year to enhance the company’s visibility.

optimism /OP-tuh-miz-uhm/

[noun] – the quality of being full of hope and emphasizing the good parts of a situation, or a belief that something good will happen
Despite the challenges, there is a prevailing sense of optimism among the team, believing that they can achieve their goals through hard work and dedication.

entity /EN-ti-tee/

[noun] – something that exists apart from other things, having its own independent existence
The multinational corporation expanded its presence globally, establishing itself as a formidable business entity in various markets.

spur /spur /

[verb] – to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster
The unexpected success of their first product launch spurred the company to invest more in research and development for future innovations.

sentiment /SEN-tuh-muhnt/

[noun] – a thought, opinion, or idea based on a feeling about a situation or a way of thinking about something
Online reviews often reflect customer sentiment, providing valuable insights into their experiences with a product or service.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will make history by featuring an equal number of male and female athletes, marking a significant milestone achieved through years of effort by the International Olympic Committee to establish medal parity. This decision is influenced by the success of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, showcasing the growing popularity of women’s sports. The upcoming Olympics aim to strengthen the promotion of gender equality and emphasize the global significance of female athletes. Despite a positive trend, a recent survey by Sports Innovation Lab indicates that a mere 9% of sports media and sponsorship funds from over 25 Fortune 500 brands are currently allocated to women’s sports. However, there’s optimism, as 83% of respondents plan to increase investments in female sports in 2024, with a particular focus on the upcoming Olympics. This shift underscores a growing acknowledgment of the potential and appeal that women’s sports have for both audiences and corporate entities.

The success of the 2023 Women’s World Cup has spurred quick responses from major brands like Adidas and Nike, releasing replica jerseys worn by teams in the final to meet market demands. Nike, in particular, responded to fan feedback by producing a replica England goalkeeper’s jersey for Mary Earps, showcasing brands’ responsiveness to consumer sentiments. As the sports landscape evolves, experts, including Conrad Wiacek from GlobalData, highlight the cost-effective opportunities for brands to connect with female audiences through partnerships in women’s sports. Anticipating the 2024 Olympics, Visa, a longstanding Olympic sponsor, has pledged the highest percentage of women athletes in their “Team Visa” program, affirming a commitment to diversity. Athletes like Valarie Allman emphasize the importance of authentic connections between athletes and brands, signaling promising developments in sports sponsorship for 2024.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Have you or someone you know ever attended or followed a major sports event, like the Olympics or the World Cup? If yes, what was your experience, and did it influence your perception of gender equality in sports? If not, would you consider attending or following such an event, given the increased emphasis on gender equality, as highlighted by the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Considering the recent survey findings that only 9% of sports media and sponsorship funds are allocated to women’s sports, do you believe this reflects a fair distribution of resources? If yes, why do you think so? If not, what changes or initiatives do you think could further promote and support women’s sports on a broader scale?
Do you agree that featuring an equal number of male and female athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics is a positive step towards promoting gender equality in sports?
Considering the disparity in the allocation of sports media and sponsorship funds revealed by the Sports Innovation Lab survey, what strategies could be employed to encourage more brands to invest in women’s sports, and what potential benefits could such increased investment bring to both athletes and the sports industry as a whole?
Reflecting on Nike’s responsive actions, such as producing a replica of the England goalkeeper’s jersey based on fan feedback, how important do you think it is for brands to be attuned to consumer sentiments in the sports industry? How might this responsiveness impact the brand’s reputation and its relationship with fans and athletes?

Summarization

Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.

Describe:

Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.

anticipate
authentic
corporate
diversity
evolve