Mobile platforms have become integral to the average person’s daily life.We use mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) for entertainment, purchases, and general productivity like carrying travel passes, e-tickets, etc.

Brands in every field have seen this lifestyle shift as an opportunity to reach more people and generate additional revenue streams by providing personalized and convenient services through mobile devices. In the sports industry, smartphone and tablet apps offer an opportunity to provide live-streaming services and various subscriptions and memberships.

3 Popular Monetization Strategies in Sports

A plethora of sports organizations have jumped on mobile platforms to boost revenue by digitizing sports events. Let’s look at some of the most popular methods.

• In-app Purchases

The most popular model is the freemium one. This is where an app is free to download and some of its features free to use. However, getting access to additional content or premium features means making a one-off purchase. If your free content is good, people are more than happy to make in-app purchases. In 2024, in-app purchases increased by 13%.

• Subscription Models

As in-app purchases are one-off, they’re not as reliable by the way of recurring subscriptions that the subscription model offers. With in-app purchases, sports brands have to keep winning new customers. However, once a subscription customer is secured, they become a source of monthly revenue.

Of course, a subscription needs to be worth the investment. It is up to the sports brand to ensure they deliver high-quality content. This can range from live-streaming sporting events, exclusive content like behind-the-scenes interviews and videos with athletes, or the opportunity to buy discounted early bird tickets to live in-person events.

For example, building a fitness app can enhance the value proposition. By offering personalized workout plans, nutrition guides, and community features, the app can attract and retain subscribers seeking a comprehensive fitness experience.

• Sponsorship and Partnerships

When a sports brand can showcase a large and engaged customer base through subscriptions or in-app purchases, it becomes more appealing to potential sponsors. Sponsors are eager to place their names in front of a dedicated audience of sports fans, making sponsorship opportunities more valuable and easier to secure.

2 Successful Mobile Monetization Case Studies

Successful mobile monetization strategies are about providing fans with personalized experiences through digital platforms. Here are three brands that have cracked the code.

• Real Madrid C.F

Real Madrid is arguably the biggest and most successful soccer club in history. Even then, the club wasn’t resting on its historic reputation and desired to deepen fan relationships through mobile, opening up new revenue opportunities. The club worked with Telecoming to create a mobile-exclusive service for fans worldwide. The service was delivered with a premium feel without ads to disrupt a fan’s experience.

Additionally, the club used artificial intelligence to organize content through Amazon AI Rekognition Technology. This cloud-based machine learning (ML) service automates content analysis by identifying objects, people, text, activities, and scenes in images and videos.

In Real Madrid’s context, the technology will help fans find relevant information, such as content related to their favorite player. Real Madrid’s success relies on understanding how the modern-day fan consumes content.

• Paris Saint-Germain FC

In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, PSG launched its mobile service called PSG DCB to maintain a connection with its fans. The service offered fans in France and the MENA region an immersive experience including:

The ability to watch full matches or highlights
Player and team statistics
Videos on demand (VOD)
Content is available in multiple languages

The VoD was a highly engaging feature. It allowed fans to access the videos they cared about the most, whether that was keeping up with news of their favorite player or watching highlights.

Wrapping Up

With the vast majority of the world consuming content via mobile and tablet devices, it is incumbent on any sports brand to bring their entertainment to their fans’ pockets. By delivering a strategic mobile experience, sports brands can raise brand awareness and create a new revenue stream.

Arif Bharakda is a versatile writer passionate about marketing, technology, and B2B insights. With a keen interest in personal growth, Arif brings a relatable perspective to complex topics, making them accessible to all readers.