By Chloe Stein, Media Production, Management, and Technology Sophomore and Lilly Randolph, Sports Communication Senior

Bearing only a Canon R6 camera and his iPhone, Nikko Tan, B.S. Telecommunication 2016, studies the court to capture Chicago Bulls basketball players’ fleeting moments. His recent photography work features candid shots of game-winning three-pointers by DeMar DeRozan, dunks by Zach LaVine, and countless other snapshots of teammates.

Tan, who serves as the digital content manager for the Chicago Bulls, gives fans from all over the world a courtside glimpse into the action of each player during the game.

His day-to-day responsibilities include curating the team’s media during the season and off-season. He is a National Broadcast Society Award-winner and former member of the social media team for the Atlanta Falcons.

My partner Lilly Randolph, a Sports Communication senior, and I participated in CJC’s NBA in Paris study abroad program, and we sat down with Tan to discuss the routines and responsibilities associated with his title, his perspective on the Bulls’ ventures to globalize, and what led him to a career in the NBA.

Tan traveled with the Chicago Bulls team to their regular-season game against the Detroit Pistons in Paris, France, on Jan. 19, 2023. This was the NBA’s first return to the French capital since COVID-19, and it marks only the second NBA regular season game ever played there. UFCJC sponsored a study abroad to the game with 24 students.

The event drew much international attention, but, of course, the Bulls became an iconic global brand long before. The Chicago-based team has already achieved some of the highest levels of NBA name recognition, so Tan was not as focused on releasing content specifically aimed to boost followers or publicity. Instead, he focuses on continuing to cater to each generation of Bulls fans.

“We try to make sure that their lifelong fandom truly does stay lifelong,” he explained.

This intention has already been proven, especially through projects like The Last Dance, the hugely-successful, nostalgic docuseries that included previously unaired footage of the ‘92-’93 Chicago Bulls Team, with a special focus on Michael Jordan. The series allowed older generations of Bulls fans to feel more connected to the current Bulls brand.

The 2023 Paris game was the Bulls’ first return to Europe after 26 years. It gave European fans the opportunity to physically touch base with the Bulls’ universe. Fans celebrated a 126-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons, and the excited buzz of Accor Arena was electric. With the positive reception the team received during the event and its festivities, Tan explained that international outreach is on the team’s radar more than ever before.

When reflecting on his experience working the Paris game, Tan explained the various surprising interruptions and difficulties he faced. In his normal game-day routine, he will capture thousands of Instagram-worthy photographs, quickly edit his favorite ones, and then relay them to his remote team for approval, all within the duration of the game.

In keeping up with the ever-changing and evolving nature of social media, Tan has pretty much witnessed it all. Remaining up to date on every newly released social media update and upgrade is an imperative part of his job and passion. One of the recent social media trends Tan has taken note of is a heightened appreciation for posts that are considered more real, authentic, and raw. This increased trend of informality on social media is likely what has allowed the app BeReal to become so widely used.

“I am a big fan of BeReal,” Tan said, “and that is something that has taken the world by storm. A lot of people are on that platform, but how people use BeReal a year from now will probably be very different from how people are using it today. Right now, there are no video features on BeReal, but video could easily become a part of the app in the future.”

Tan loves analyzing how the world adjusts to social media, and this focus is what ultimately allows him to deliver successful content to his audience.

For CJC students looking to follow a career direction similar to the one he has pursued, Tan advised that they hold an appreciation for the grind of the sports industry. He says CJC, with a special nod to Journalism Department Chair Ted Spiker, prepared him well by unlocking sports immersion experiences at a young age.

During his time as a CJC student, Tan delved into all types and levels of involvement. He was a highly-regarded sports reporter and anchor on WUFT-TV and ESPN Radio, where he honed the skill sets and knowledge that allowed him to advance so quickly into the sports industry after graduating.

Since shifting to a professional role behind the camera, Tan admits to enduring huge lifestyle sacrifices so he can continue the job of his dreams: working tirelessly on-scene at every game during nights, weekends, and holidays.

Tan’s career has stemmed from some of his core childhood memories. Some children grow up obsessing over bands, celebrities, or television shows. Tan, who grow up in Ocala, Florida, fell in love with the NBA. He vividly remembers being consumed by the Orlando Magic games he watched in his living room as a young child. Now, he gets to document the key game moments that would have awestruck him all those years ago.

Even more full-circle is the fact that, in middle school, one of Tan’s NBA role models was the Orlando Magic’s Rashard Lewis. Now, Lewis serves as the assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, the Bulls’ opponent in Paris. Tan made a point to meet him during a joint-practice youth basketball clinic the two teams hosted. Tan’s connection to the NBA is one that was fostered long before his professional relationship with it, and he reminds himself to continue to cater to individuals like his younger self.

“When I post content… I always think about if the 10-year-old version of me would like what I’m posting right now,” he said, “I always try to operate through that lens.”

Posted: April 4, 2023
Category: Alumni Profiles, College News, NBA in Paris, Profiles, Sports Media Alumni
Tagged as: Chicago Bulls, NikkoTan