Two words, one nation: American football. This billion dollar industry commences with college football. When one thinks of college football, it is easy to imagine it as a multi-source entertainment pool.
What role does college football have on American university students?
The college football industry has encompassed several other entertainment sources. Solid examples include a university’s marching band and cheerleading team. A football game isn’t complete without loud cheers and booming performances of the marching band: these are integral to the full experience of college football.
In addition, football game day often involves attending tailgates and day parties, and these are often considered rites of passage. The hype and excitement revolving around college football has turned it into a medium for core college experiences.
A huge propeller for the excitement of this experience has been social media.
How has social media pushed the entertainment factor of college football?
Social media has played a powerful role in igniting this excitement by allowing students to showcase their school spirit.
Dressing up and showing support for football games has also turned into a whole aesthetic. Instagram posts and stories of university students dressing up for the big game flood the timeline whenever an important game occurs.
College athletes themselves have also benefited from the ignition lit by social media. The increasing push for them to share and publicize their daily lives as a university athlete on social media can even push their rank to be on par with professional athletes.
This high ranking affects their personal revenue, since many are able to participate in endorsement deals.
How does the entertainment factor of college football affect American universities?
Fostering college football as a segment in the entertainment industry has greatly affected the athletic policies universities regulate.
By taking advantage of the flexibility of the rule that NCAA holds over college football in comparison to that of the NFL, universities can foster a more positive and safer environment for their athletes.
Simultaneously, the allure of being drafted into the NFL can have young college football players constantly trying to prove their talent and skills. This extra push can often make college football games more interesting than NFL ones due to the inspiring environment they cultivate.
This all largely affects the performance, rank, and fame of college football teams. The bigger the football program of a university, the more likely the university is to experience a surge in applications and increased retention rates.
Without a doubt, the boost in the entertainment status of American college football has strengthened its grip on students.