The Power of Fan Engagement in Sports Entertainment

This chapter explores the evolving nature of fan engagement within sports and entertainment, emphasizing the impact of fan-generated content. It also examines the strategic incorporation of social media and behind-the-scenes access to enrich the live event experience.

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

Andrew Yaffe is the CEO of Dude Perfect. Prior to joining Dude Perfect, he served as Executive Vice President, Head of Social, Digital and Original Content at the NBA, leading the department responsible for all video, editorial, and documentary content produced and distributed by the NBA.

We dive into the evolution of content strategy, how vertical video, AI-driven editing, and fan-driven content are reshaping how people consume sports and entertainment. We also talk about the massive shift toward family-friendly entertainment, why authenticity matters more than ever in building a trusted brand, and how Dude Perfect is capitalizing on a deep relationship with its audience to expand into products, experiences, and live events.

We also cover:

- Why YouTube dominates digital content consumption and how Dude Perfect leverages it

- How user-generated and behind-the-scenes content outperforms traditional highlights

- The growth of Dude Perfect’s live shows and the company's focus on family-first experiences

- Building long-term brand equity without sacrificing core values

- How the next wave of growth will come from new talent, products, and experiences under the Dude Perfect umbrella

This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most iconic creator-led brands is thinking about the next decade of growth—and why the future of entertainment looks a lot more personal, community-driven, and mission-focused.

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners.

https://www.thefortpod.com/survey

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:55) - Andrew’s career in the NBA: Starting as a Ticket Pricing Analyst and becoming the EVP of Content

(00:07:54) - How “Content” has evolved in the past 5 years

(00:13:50) - The NBA vs. NBA China

(00:14:37) - Content distribution strategies

(00:16:20) - Are professional sports audiences declining?

(00:19:46) - Becoming CEO of Dude Perfect

(00:23:23) - How do you filter opportunities for the brand?

(00:28:37) - Battling the algorithm: Family content