In the shadow of billion-dollar giants like the NFL and NBA, a quiet revolution is underway. Across the country—and the globe—niche sports are making bold plays to break into the mainstream. From lacrosse to water polo, pickle-ball to ultimate frisbee, these once-overlooked games are no longer reserved to amateur status or Olympic obscurity. Their weapon of choice? Professional leagues.
For water polo, National League is filling that role proving to be the premier professional water polo league in the United States. But two teams have two different strategies to generate buzz and popularity around the league.
Going Viral
The Nashville Channel Cats, a relative newcomer to National League, are embracing a vision as bold as it is unconventional. Founded by Ethan Wojciechowski, the Channel Cats are among the more nuanced teams in a league still in its early phases of professionalization. While other teams chase proven college players or Olympic caliber talent, the Channel Cats are focused on something different: transforming water polo into an American spectator sport through social media and digital content.
“Our Professional Team is focused on infusing American professional sporting culture with water polo,” the team said in a statement, “via enhanced media and coverage of the team and the USAWP National League.”
The mission is as ambitious as it is clear—less about the scoreboard, more about the stage. The Channel Cats are betting that the key to growth lies not only in athletic excellence, but in storytelling, streaming, and social engagement.
Signing Big Name Players
In a move straight out of a dream, the Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) has taken an Inter Miami-inspired strategy to promoting the league. Forgoing social media content, the club has opted to sign two of the sport’s most iconic figures: Serbian legend Filip Filipović and Hungarian Dénes Varga.
Between them, they boast Olympic golds, World Championship titles, and a reputation for redefining modern water polo. Now, at the twilight of their careers, they’re bringing their talents not to Belgrade or Budapest—but to Los Angeles.
The signings are as symbolic as they are strategic. By landing Filipović and Varga, LAAC has gone all-in on star power. It’s a bold statement of intent: in the world of water polo, LAAC doesn’t just want to compete—they want to captivate the American audience. These signings instantly legitimize the team, the league, and the vision. With two living legends now suiting up in LAAC caps, the club isn’t just building a team—it’s curating a spectacle.
Which is better?
When comparing the two marketing strategies, they both have their pros and cons. An aggressive social media campaign has the advantage of organic, sustainable growth.
However, signing big name players is a much faster way to market the team.
The problem with this strategy is that it is not entirely sustainable. Varga and Filipovich won’t stay playing forever and the media and attention drawn by the stars is likely to fade fast if LAAC can’t find adequate contingency plans.
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