Snoop Dogg arrives at Swansea party highlighting Championship transformation

Excited supporters, hopes for Premier League success and even a whiff of cannabis in the corridor: Snoop Doggs visit to Swansea marked the newest development in the English Championships celebrity driven revamp.

The US rapper received a warm reception on Tuesday as he attended the Swans match for the first time after joining as a minority stakeholder in the Welsh team.

Wearing the clubs kit in white with the Swansea badge on his coat and his signature shades, the 54 year old star was cheered by fans waving white towels in the terraces during an extended victory lap prior to the 1-1 result versus Preston.

From performing at a private event in the Swansea based Au Vodka cafeteria to drawing a packed house at Swansea.com Stadium, Snoop added glamour to a modest community in south Wales rarely exposed to famous visitors.

This vibe is something Championship teams are increasingly savouring after years overshadowed by the Premier League.

Clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea boast worldwide fame with millions of followers, attracting top players and VIPs, whereas the English second division has often seemed more routine.

However, the Championship has emerged as one of Europes most viewed competitions lately, reaching peak interest this term.

As the richest second tier league globally, it holds the second best average crowd size among non top divisions beyond Germany.

For 2022–23, the Championships mean attendance stood at 18,787.

This season, it has surged to 21,925, with venues in Coventry, Leicester, Southampton, Ipswich, Derby, Sheffield United and Birmingham attracting nearly 30,000 per home fixture.

This surge includes the influence from Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneys game changing acquisition of Wrexham, sparking a wave of high profile engagements in overlooked English sides.

Beyond mere novelty

Sitting sixth in the Championship, Wrexhams rise from lower leagues has been documented in the Welcome to Wrexham series, earning the northern Welsh outfit a global fanbase.

Renowned NFL player Tom Brady co owns promotion contenders Birmingham, while Snoop, TV personality Martha Stewart and ex Real Madrid ace Luka Modric have all backed Swansea in the past year.

Though acquiring a Premier League club remains out of reach for many stars financially, the Championship presents an appealing entry point.

With modest upfront costs, theres potential for huge gains if promotion brings an estimated £200 million ($270 million) in extra income.

Leeds, backed by stars like Russell Crowe and Will Ferrell, and Burnley, with NFL figure JJ Watt as investor, paved the way by profiting from last seasons ascent to the top flight.

All praise to the Football League officials for promoting this outstanding event throughout Europe. I recall viewing Championship matches 15 years back with sparse crowds and less appeal, said Oxford CEO Tim Williams on Kieran Maguires football economics show.

Today, stadiums are packed, the action is thrilling, intense, rapid and truly captivating to follow.

Swanseas US proprietors Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen do not anticipate Snoop funding the push for elevation personally.

Rather, they see his over 100 million social media fans elevating the clubs visibility and attracting deals.

This goes further than a stunt; he connects with the clubs essence and its importance to the local area, Swansea CEO Tom Gorringe shared with BBC Wales.

We are achieving commercial heights unseen even during our Premier League stint, engaging top tier partners.

Though Swansea anticipates lasting effects from Snoop, the rap icon has swiftly imprinted his unique flair on the Championship.

I suppose the aroma of marijuana in the tunnel tipped us off that things were unusual! quipped Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom smilingly.