# @alex-kopilow on LinkedIn - **Type:** Image - **Original URL:** https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alex-kopilow_sportsmarketing-sportsbusiness-creatormarketing-activity-7465029402125455360-BZfu - **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65854845-inalex-kopilow-linkedin - **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/32f88cf2b4.jpg - **Posted:** 2026-05-26T13:21:42.986+00:00 - **Account Owner:** in/alex-kopilow (@in/alex-kopilow) — https://gondola.cc/in/alex-kopilow ## Caption Sports teams and leagues are leaving massive value on the table with creator partnerships. And in many cases, it comes down to overlooking small details that can dramatically improve the outcome. One of the most informative sessions at the Gondola Sports Summit unpacked exactly that: “We Took Creators to ________” with Aliyah Funschelle, Dipika Dutt, Chantal Rotondo, and Alexander Onaindia. 7 ideas stuck with me: 1️⃣ Stop treating creator content like the finish line. Aliyah said failing to amplify creator content is like running 26 miles of a marathon and skipping the final .2. You brought the creator out. You invested time and budget. Follow through. Comment on the post. Share it. Put paid behind top performers. Acknowledge their presence publicly. Too many teams stop at “they posted.” 2️⃣ Have a plan for turnaround time. Pika talked about how quickly content loses momentum when it gets stuck in approvals and gets posted days later. If creators are covering a live moment, approvals need to move like a live moment too. I’ve personally had success by flagging this to brand partners in advance, aligning on real-time approvals before the event, and using WhatsApp groups to streamline comms when content is ready to go. The excitement window is shorter than most teams think. 3️⃣ Build credibility with players before cameras go up. Aliyah shared how much smoother content capture became when a team contact introduced her to a player and their family beforehand. It gave Aliyah instant credibility while building comfort and trust. It's a small gesture that can raise the ceiling of the content. 4️⃣ Invite creators to preseason media day. No wins or losses shaping the mood. Players are relaxed. Personalities show up more naturally. Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and NY Liberty succeed on this front. Learn how, here: https://lnkd.in/ek46RBKE 5️⃣ Don’t make creators start from zero when staff changes happen. If you’re the main creator contact and leave the organization, transition those relationships properly. Detailed handoff docs matter. Introductions matter. Let creators know who owns the relationship moving forward so momentum doesn’t disappear overnight. 6️⃣ Stop limiting creator strategy to local markets. Some of the best creators for your team may not live anywhere near your city. Flying in a passionate fan creator and giving them exclusive access can go a long way in both negotiations and the quality of content they create. 7️⃣ Money isn’t the only currency. Creators value different things. • How much they’re being paid • Access to money-can’t-buy experiences • Long-term relationships with the team/rightsholder • Intros to brand partners who do have larger budgets for future work Understanding what motivates a creator can unlock partnerships that may not have seemed possible. #sportsmarketing #sportsbusiness #creatormarketing #sponsorship ## Stats - **Views:** 0 - **Likes:** 31 - **Shares:** 0 - **Comments:** 6 ## Tags sportsbusiness, sportsmarketing, creatormarketing, sponsorship --- Copyright (c) Gondola