White Sox: Tim Anderson marketing himself is great

Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox has started a YouTube channel to help promote himself going forward which could completely change the game for marketing players throughout MLB.

One of the things MLB has not done effectively over the last several years is market their athletes and the Chicago White Sox’s shortstop appears to be trying to change that.

On Saturday, Tim Anderson launched a YouTube channel meant to show off his personality and a unique perspective of his life to fans.

A big reason that Anderson is doing this is based on the fact that while other sports leagues have capitalized on their ability to market their superstar athletes, MLB has fallen behind.

The NBA and NFL have probably been the two most successful at this with their players far more recognizable than anyone from baseball.

In fact, ESPN compiled a list of the top 100 most famous athletes around the world and not a single MLB player was ranked.

There’s a problem in the sport when it comes to marketing players when one of the best players in baseball history, Mike Trout, doesn’t rank on that list anywhere.

Players like Trout, Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Jacob deGrom, Clayton Kershaw, etc. should all rank on that list somewhere, but have not so far.

Anderson’s idea of making his own YouTube channel could change that, though, as it gives players the ability to market themselves instead of relying on the league to do it for them.

The 26-year-old now has the ability to control his own brand by choosing content to post that best highlights his personality and for free as well.

In fact, he can probably make a little extra money just from YouTube by having his own channel. That in turn, could lead to even more financial growth opportunities through endorsements if sports fans like his content.

While social media has a lot of downsides, these are instances where it is a major plus as fans will now get to see Tim Anderson the person, not just the athlete.

Obviously, YouTube isn’t the only means of showing off his personality as Twitter and Instagram have proven to be major vehicles in self-promotion as well.

Sure, there are dangers to players using YouTube like this as some players could potentially put up inappropriate content.

That being said, the power of social media for marketing players is immense and one that the league really needs to allow their players to take advantage of.

Tim Anderson will serve as a trial with that for the South Side, but the hope is that he’s only the first and not the last to try to use this means of promotion.