Raytorious He Is He Is, Is a Sports Marketing Dream for Ray Lewis

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Raytorious He Is He Is, Is a Sports Marketing Dream for Ray Lewis

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Ray Lewis the future Hall-of-Fame linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens has received some positive press on the internet for his new nickname the "Raytorious L52, the Undisputed Defensive Heavyweight Champ" Lewis will now become more of an iconic figure says, Derrick E. Vaughan of Dunkadelic Sports Marketing.

Vaughan continues, "When a sports star or performer is known by a one word name or nickname they are more marketable and have more broad appeal". "The Babe, Ali (The Greatest), Magic, Jordan, Gretzky (The Great One), Madonna, Tiger, Kobe, Shaq, LeBron, Oprah, Say Hey Kid (Willie Mays), Mr. October (Reggie Jackson), Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac they remain legendary and continue to have big-money making opportunities even after their out of the limelight."

When Kobe Bryant makes a move an announcer says, that's Jordanesque continues to brand and elevate the icon status of Jordan.

For Lewis when they say who's the best defensive or linebacker of all-time he will come to mind for some people because they will think without hesitation "Raytorious Ray." That brands him to the position since he's the now and most well known player for those 12-40 years of age. 

5 to10-years from now when Lewis is retired a young player plays middle linebacker and hits opposing players like a young Mike Tyson they will be compared to Lewis. He's in the mold of the Raytorious One, Ray Lewis.

Having the Raytorious nickname he will be able to brand the #52 like Jordan has branded #23. This is not to common in football like it is in basketball because basketball markets the stars more than teams and you saw that over this past Summer with the LeBron James move from Cleveland to Miami. There is no other NFL player playing today that is known by the #52 like Ray. 

The City of Baltimore has never had a sports figure with a one word name like Lewis. Cal Ripken was known as "The Ironman" but the nickname of Lou Gehrig was "The Iron Horse". Ripken was compared to Gehrig and that hurt him from a national broad appeal level. Ripken wasn't explosive enough of a ball player to be remembered for his athletic performance. Cal was highly respected by his peers and the media just as Lewis has become.

The "Raytorious L52" nickname will indeed bring more endorsement opportunities to Ray. He has a new clothing line that was recently released. His new nickname will make his brand more distinctive and fashionable with the sports/hip-hop culture that dominates the landscape of fashion of those who want to be cool. One blogger wrote that "this is the greatest sports nickname ever conceived by animal, mineral, or vegetable. 

Lewis could team-up with Sean "Diddy" Combs and do a commercial that introduces the world to "Raytorious L52" like an NFL version of Notorious B.I.G. There are many paths that can be taken to improve his profile and marketability.

Lewis tonight will be at Pickles Pub in downtown Baltimore promoting his new line. When he enters the room fans should cheer Raytorious he is he is, Raytorious he is he is, the Undisputed Defensive Heavyweight Champ.