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Data Shows Seahawks, ESPN Personalities Among Top NFL Social Media Influencers

While the NFL’s official accounts lead the way, media entities and personalities share equal weight with current players among the league's top 10 social media influencers, according to an analysis of data from social media/marketing measurement firm Insightpool. Among all NFL influencers, the league’s official accounts top the rankings with a reach of 33.4 million people, as measured across around 100 social networks. ESPN’s official accounts rank No. 2 on that list, followed by ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is the top ranked player at No. 4, with Texans DE J.J. Watt rounding out the top five.

TOP 10 NFL INFLUENCERS ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS
RANK
INFLUENCER
RANK
INFLUENCER
1
NFL
6
The Ringer's Bill Simmons
2
ESPN
7
Yahoo Sports
3
ESPN's Adam Schefter
8
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant
4
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
9
NFL Network
5
Texans DE J.J. Watt
10
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott

PLAYERS INC.: Following Wilson and Watt, a pair of Cowboys have the most influence among active NFLers on social media. WR Dez Bryant and RB Ezekiel Elliott have a reach of 5.16 million and 3.8 million followers on their social media feeds, respectively. While Seahawks CB Richard Sherman rounds out the top five, free agent QB Colin Kaepernick is rising fast and comes in at No. 6.

TOP 10 ACTIVE PLAYERS IN TERMS OF NFL SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE
RANK
INFLUENCER
RANK
INFLUENCER
1
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
6
Free agent QB Colin Kaepernick
2
Texans DE J.J. Watt
7
Free agent RB Reggie Bush
3
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant
8
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
4
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott
9
Saints QB Drew Brees
5
Seahawks CB Richard Sherman
10
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski

NORTHWEST PASSAGE: While Wilson and Sherman have individual prowess on social media, the Seahawks’ official feeds also perform well compared to their NFL counterparts. While many would think the Cowboys would easily be No. 1 in reach, it is in fact the Seahawks at the top with a reach of around 4 million people. The Cowboys’ feeds rank fifth among teams, behind the Steelers, Patriots and 49ers.

TOP 10 TEAMS IN TERMS OF NFL SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE
RANK
INFLUENCER
RANK
INFLUENCER
1
Seahawks
6
Broncos
2
Steelers
7
Eagles
3
Patriots
8
Packers
4
49ers
9
Falcons
5
Cowboys
10
Jets

VOICE BOXES: With ESPN having as much NFL content as it does, it should come as no surprise that among the top media influencers for the league, half come from Bristol. Schefter easily leads the way with a reach of around 6.7 million. Despite being off ESPN for several years, Simmons ranks No. 2, followed by three ESPN staffers -- Michael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith and Chris Mortensen.

TOP 10 MEDIA PERSONALITIES IN TERMS OF NFL SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE
RANK
INFLUENCER
RANK
INFLUENCER
1
ESPN's Adam Schefter
6
Fox Sports' Erin Andrews
2
The Ringer's Bill Simmons
7
Fox Sports' Troy Aikman
3
ESPN's Michael Wilbon
8
ESPN's Michelle Beadle
4
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith
9
CBS Sports' Jim Rome
5
ESPN's Chris Mortensen
10
Seahawks sideline reporter John Clayton

METHODOLOGY: Insightpool utilizes social characteristic, conversation and affiliation data from over 100 social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. That data is compiled into 360º social profiles. Insightpool then looks at the data of every influencer and ranks them on four criteria to determine the social influence of that individual: reach (cumulative follower base of that individual); relevance (social relevance to the specific topic being analyzed); resonance (audience engagement with individual’s post activity); and engagement (an individual’s engagement with the specific topic being analyzed). For NFL influencers, Insightpool analyzed the following filter variables to determine the influencer ranking of those listed: tagged as influencer of the NFL; percentage of Twitter and Instagram conversations focused on the NFL and related keywords; audience engagement with conversation on the NFL and related keywords; and a three-month weighted average applied to all influencer scores and metrics.

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