By Mariella Neri

Walking into an arena, athletes aim to make an impression on their fans. Their desire is to showcase their athletic abilities and team dominance. However what viewers are first exposed to is not their performance in the game, but their fashionable game day fits.  

Game day fits have begun to sweep through the media. Athletes and coaches are presenting their style and drip by wearing all forms of interesting apparel. Is it safe to say that people are more attracted to the outrageous and fashionable attire that is being worn than athletes’ actual performance and the game itself? Sporting events are no longer just places to admire athleticism, but pregame entrances in an entity are fashion shows.

The astounding amount of attention professional athletes and coaches are gaining from displaying their unique fashion styles is immense. If their outfits are deemed outrageous or drippy, it often correlates to the public believing their performance will be superior. In the grand scheme, it is a perfect opportunity for players and coaches to market themselves/their teams to the world. The widespread reaction it is evoking from fans increases their views, followers, brand sponsorships, and team support. As influential figures are featured entering arenas, stepping off buses and planes their attire is all that can be talked about.

Game day fits allow people like Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Kim Mulkey, LSU women’s basketball coach, to grow a massive fan base because of their abilities and unique form of creative expression. My favorite discussion regarding these styles - is on the podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce where they speak about their contrast in fashion tastes. Travis is guilty of dropping hundreds to thousands of dollars on outfits whereas Jason pulls up to games in jorts and t-shirts. Overall, Gameday outfits are becoming another realm of fashion where athletes can showcase their personal preferences outside of attending award shows and wearing their generic uniforms. It will be exciting to view the growth of game-day outfits as coaches and players evolve and alter their styles.