Are we watching sports or watching iShowSpeed watch sports? Why the future of sports broadcasting may already be here
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Let's get this straight, sports broadcasting is evolving, and it's not just being changed by a seasoned analyst or a former athlete sitting behind a desk. It's being shaken up by someone who can barely sit still for five minutes without launching into a wild, rapid-fire rant about anything under the sun. Enter
iShowSpeed
, the
YouTube
phenomenon who is quickly turning the world of sports media on its head. If you've ever seen a man screaming at a screen while running through a 40-yard dash, celebrating the moment as if he just won the Super Bowl, you've met iShowSpeed.
And that's only scratching the surface. Speed isn't just a commentator—he's a full-contact content machine. He's barked at tigers on camera, jumped clean over a speeding sports car, and raced Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles for bragging rights. His chaotic energy isn't confined to a screen—he throws himself into the action, literally. At the 2024 NFL Draft Combine, he clocked an eye-popping 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, beating fellow streamer Sketch and stunning viewers. These aren't bits or stunts for show—they're extensions of a persona built entirely around immersion, spontaneity, and spectacle.
iShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., has become a household name among gamers and sports fans alike. His journey into the mainstream sports world took a huge leap during the 2024 WrestleMania 40. In a moment that surprised everyone, Speed appeared inside a life-sized Prime sports drink mascot costume during
Logan Paul
's match against
Randy Orton
. As Paul teetered on the edge of defeat, Speed's mascot character intervened, pulling Paul to safety. The moment was absurd, wild, and unforgettable. The clip of this moment quickly became one of
WWE
's most-watched Instagram videos, securing a place as the third-most viewed in Instagram history.
Speed's growing prominence continued when he became the first person to ever bring a live camera behind the scenes at a WWE Premium Live Event (PLE) during the 2025 Royal Rumble. His interactions with WWE superstars, including getting speared by Bron Breakker and flung over the top rope, only cemented his status as a fan favorite. With more than 39 million YouTube subscribers, Speed brings his massive audience to major sports events, often generating more views than official league streams, such as his flag football exhibition in New Orleans that drew 3 million views.
For Speed, the allure of live sports is clear. His audience is accustomed to expect the unexpected from him. Whether he's running through the 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine or diving headfirst into live event chaos, Speed has turned sports into a personal experience for his community.
'There's nothing like a live sporting event,' Speed told Awful Announcing via email. 'I really try to immerse myself in the culture of whatever corner of the earth I happen to be in, and one thing that has really stood out is how much sports brings people together. Bringing my community with me to those kinds of big sports moments through streaming is as exciting to me as I think it is to them.'
The streaming revolution: Sports embraces creators
Speed's rise is happening at a time when traditional sports broadcasting is struggling to hold on to the younger audience. ESPN, which once dominated sports media, is seeing its cable subscriptions decline rapidly. In response, ESPN has ventured into alternative broadcasts, like the ManningCast with Peyton and Eli Manning, which has garnered praise for its fresh take on live sports commentary.
But it's not just TV networks adapting, online creators are jumping into the fray as well. YouTube,
Twitch
, and other platforms are now where fans go to experience sports in a new way. In Brazil, soccer fans tune in to Casimito's streams for coverage of the Campeonato Paulista. Even
Cristiano Ronaldo
has embraced the shift, streaming the Premier Padel 1 final in Saudi Arabia on his YouTube channel. These moves mark the beginning of a trend where leagues and creators are starting to work hand-in-hand to capture the attention of digital-first fans.
Michael Cohen, a sports media advisor and former CEO of Whistle, has seen this shift firsthand. 'Creators are becoming an essential part of the sports ecosystem,' Cohen explained. 'Leagues need to recognize that these aren't just throwaway highlights, this is a real window to reach new, engaged audiences.'
iShowSpeed's Digital Empire: The shift toward digital-first sports media
So, what's the deal? Why is iShowSpeed so popular in the world of sports? Well, he's doing something that's shaking up a space dominated by the same names for decades. It's not about polished studio segments or high-level analysis. It's about
energy
. Raw, unfiltered, and unpolished energy that feels like you're watching your most exciting friend commentate on a game, and not some robot reading from a script. Speed brings a level of engagement that's simply impossible to ignore.
What iShowSpeed is doing isn't an anomaly, it's part of a larger shift. For years, networks like ESPN and NBC have ruled the roost, offering viewers a predictable, if somewhat stale, broadcast of their favorite sporting events. But the world of sports media is changing fast. The younger generation, often referred to as "digital natives," is increasingly turning to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok to get their sports fix.
In 2021, ESPN made a bold move by partnering with Peyton and Eli Manning to launch the ManningCast, an alternative broadcast to Monday Night Football. The idea was simple: give fans a new way to experience the game. Fans loved it. The ManningCast showed that the world of sports media didn't have to be rigid and formal; it could be fun, irreverent, and, most importantly, it could appeal to a younger audience.
But the shift is much bigger than just one alternative broadcast. Creators like Speed are capitalizing on the growing interest in live sports streaming. Brazilian streamer Casimito now broadcasts the Campeonato Paulista, one of the biggest soccer leagues in Brazil, directly to his YouTube audience. Even Cristiano Ronaldo, a titan of the sports world, streamed the Premier Padel 1 final on his own YouTube channel earlier this year. And as streaming continues to grow, new sports leagues are emerging with a creator-first approach, offering more opportunities for influencers to become embedded in the fabric of sports media.
Michael Cohen, a sports media advisor and former CEO of Whistle, recognizes the shift taking place. 'This isn't just throwaway social media content. Creators like iShowSpeed are part of a real, evolving window in the sports media world. It's about connecting with new audiences in ways that traditional networks just can't.'
The fine line between creator culture and traditional sports
Of course, the road to this new future isn't without its bumps The clash between the chaotic, unregulated world of live streaming and the polished, buttoned-up world of traditional sports broadcasting is real. Michael Cohen, a former CEO of Whistle and sports media advisor, pointed out the growing importance of creator-driven content, saying, 'The biggest leagues have been content to wring huge rights fees from TV. But soon, they'll have to look to creators to keep growing their audience and revenue.'
The key challenge here lies in maintaining authenticity while balancing editorial standards. Traditional broadcasters are used to managing content through tightly controlled environments. By contrast, streamers like Speed thrive in a more unregulated space, where community interaction plays a huge role. During his early years, Speed faced criticism for crossing the line, he was banned from Twitch in 2021 for inappropriate comments, though he quickly transitioned to YouTube. But his audience stayed loyal, and as he demonstrated on WWE's platform, the connection between creator and audience is undeniable.
Steve Braband, WWE's VP of Digital Media, acknowledged the challenges of this partnership: 'We want to maintain authenticity with creators, but we also need to make sure the content doesn't cross a line. It's about finding that balance.'
That's where the rubber meets the road for networks. Traditional media is still struggling to navigate how to collaborate with the world of unfiltered, 'anything-goes' internet content while maintaining their credibility and regulatory standards.
The future: iShowSpeed and the evolution of sports broadcasting
Looking ahead, it's clear that iShowSpeed isn't just a momentary flash in the pan. He represents a new era in sports broadcasting, one where fans engage directly with their favorite creators, not just as passive viewers, but as active participants in the experience.
The upcoming years will likely see more collaborations between traditional sports leagues and influencers. YouTube, already a key player in broadcasting the NFL's Sunday Ticket, is expected to stream a Week 1 game in São Paulo for free, further blurring the lines between traditional sports TV and creator-driven content. This is a model that could be replicated globally.
Speed, for his part, is ready to lead the charge: 'I've always been a huge sports fan. When you've been in it as long as I have, understanding the flow and stories of the game just comes naturally. Streaming those games live is even better because I get to share that with my fans in real time. The feedback I get from my community tells me they love it too.'
And it's that deep connection with his audience that sets iShowSpeed apart. In a world where streaming giants and sports leagues are clamoring for a way to engage younger viewers, Speed's authenticity and passion make him the ideal person to bridge the gap between traditional sports broadcasts and the future of digital-first media.
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