Skiing and Snowboarding: The New Stadium Sports?

The arrival of the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang has ignited a global interest in winter sports. With revenues coming in from sponsorships and tournament prize money, winter sports have been an overlooked and underestimated money maker in the global sporting world—from both an industry and athlete perspective. To accommodate to the immense crowds in a South Korean country seven times smaller than Texas, some creativity was necessary. As a result, a stadium with both a soccer field and ski jump was built. If that seems like a task of Olympian proportions, you might be surprised to find that similar temporary measures have already been built throughout the United States. With the popularity of events like Big Air snowboarding and competitive ski jumping rising domestically, this could mean great advances and investment in American winter sports.

The use of scaffolding in stadiums is not new. In Boston, an event was held hosting some of the top skiers and snowboarders to crowds in the tens of thousands—an unprecedented audience size given the typically mountainous and treacherous locations the athletes are used to competing in. Built in the middle of Fenway Park, a 140-foot scaffolding ski jump was set up, allowing for a natural slope and leaving for a smooth landing at home plate.

One challenge is making sure that maintaining these intricate, massive scaffolding structures is feasible. Still, the concept, although not yet tested on a mass scale nationwide, has so far shown to be impeccable in its execution. Many of the athletes, despite a slightly new environment, have generally embraced the idea. It is such a new creative direction for a sport so fundamentally tied to the isolation surrounding massive slopes. It is a chance at mass exposure for many athletes that would otherwise be little-known, in a sport with so few existing superstars.

The attendance for the ski jump event in Boston was strong, and garnered attention far beyond the clearly visible structure towering within one of America’s most iconic sporting venues. Events like Big Air Snowboarding have driven the popularity of different venues hosting these kinds of events. Not only is the potential of finding a new revenue generator important, the exposure of a venue hosting a new and exciting sport could pay dividends as well. The most recent X-Games in Aspen, for example, had almost 400,000 people watching on television in one day. And more than 20 million people tuned in to watch the Winter Olympics in primetime, according to Variety.

American viewership is sometimes known for its fever pitch during major sporting events and inevitable decline once the event has passed, but the continuing interest in extreme snowboarding and other winter events has started to be noticed by major venues in the United States and beyond. Following a year of non-stop controversy in the NFL and the resurrection of Vince McMahon’s extreme football league, the XFL, there seems to be an opportunity for lesser known, high octane sports to draw the attention of American audiences. These types of events are exciting, adrenaline filled athletic sports that inspire awe amongst the masses. With an impressive show of attendance at Big Air in Fenway, and a blockbuster audience on television watching Shaun White win gold, the industry continues to grow and impress.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

grid expansion
Voices of ChargeExpo 2024: Lilypad EV Unites Grid Expansion with EV Charging for a Better User Experience
March 27, 2024

At ChargeExpo 2024, a pivotal discussion unfolded, shedding light on the integral relationship between grid expansion and the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. As electric vehicles continue to surge in popularity, the spotlight has turned to the supporting infrastructure, underscoring a critical challenge: the need for significant grid expansion to accommodate the […]

Read More
advanced battery technologies
Empowering a Greener Tomorrow: The Urgent Need for Enhanced Safety Protocols in the Electric Vehicles and Advanced Battery Technologies Sector
March 26, 2024

As the world gravitates toward cleaner energy solutions, electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced battery technologies stand at the forefront of this transformative journey. The shift towards electrification underscores a global commitment to reducing carbon emissions, with the EV market experiencing unprecedented growth​​. Innovations in battery technology, crucial for extending EV range and reducing costs, […]

Read More
Grid modernization
Grid Modernization is Bringing Utilities and Internet Providers to the Table. How Will Collaboration Shape the Grid?
March 26, 2024

The power grid is in for an exciting era of improvement as it embraces Industry 4.0 and mass digitalization. That doesn’t mean modernization isn’t a tough ride. As the grid grapples with blackouts and shut-offs, one thing is clear: The U.S. needs to modernize its aging grid and embrace technologies that make better use […]

Read More
Leverage AR & VR Technologies to Deepen Fan Engagement & Unlock Real-Time Marketing and Revenue Opportunities in Sports
March 26, 2024

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are opening up novel ways to enhance the fan experience, both in stadiums and from the comfort of one’s home. The release of Apple Vision Pro AR VR headsets has sparked debate on their potential impact on live sporting events. Critics question whether fans engrossed in […]

Read More