Does the future of sports media belong to ESPN?

by Sam Taggart | March 31st, 2010 | View Comments

For the last few decades, ESPN has been the unquestioned “Worldwide Leader in Sports.” What started as a Connecticut based, Connecticut focused, 24-hour sports network has now become more than ten popular channels across the world (including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPN Classic, and ESPN Deportes) and a highly-trafficked website (ESPN.com) devoted to delivering the latest sports news all day, every day. ESPN also boasts a very popular, bi-weekly magazine.

In the short term (10-15 years), ESPN will continue to dominate for three simple reasons.

1. Distribution. ESPN’s reach is massive, on and offline. As mentioned, they have more than ten sports networks across the world, as well as ESPN.com (nearly 5 million unique visitors in the month of January), and a big-time magazine. ESPN has also delved into the world of social media, with more than a half million combined Facebook fans and Twitter followers. It’s hard to beat that kind of power.

Interview with Director Ron Shelton

by Gregg Miller | March 29th, 2010 | View Comments

Gregg Marc Miller interviews director Ron Shelton, a legendary film maker of classic sports films such as Bull Durham, White Men Can’t Jump, and Tin Cup. Set in the comfortable surroundings of Santa Monica California, Gregg gets up close and personal with Ron about his time as a minor league baseball player and discuss Tiger Woods days as star become scandal broke. Ron brings an interesting perspective and scope to our view of Tiger’s disposition prior to his controversial episode.

Using the PR Power of March Madness

by Tyler Johnson | March 29th, 2010 | View Comments

In reading Gail Sideman’s recent article about March Madness being the NCAA‘s best PR campagin, I began to think of the other PR benefits provided by this tournament. I grew accustomed to watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. Guys like Ricky Davis, Acie Earl, Reggie Evans, Russ Millard and BJ Armstrong (who I met again as he represented Derrick Rose and accompanied him to throw out the first pitch at a White Sox game the next day after being selected #1). Later I began playing football for the Panthers of Northern Iowa, it was guys like Matt Schniederman, Ben Jacobsen (the player) and returning alum coach Greg McDermott that brought the rise of Panther basketball. Ben Jacobsen brought it again to new heights.

Women’s Pro Football: Not a Powder Puff League

by Michelle Hill | March 26th, 2010 | View Comments

Do any of these teams sound familiar? War Angels, Fighting Fillies, Sting, Shreveport Aftershock, Carolina Queens, Connecticut Crushers, Tampa Bay Pirates, or Bay Area Bandits?

If you follow sports of all kinds, you’ll realize these team names belong to women’s pro football teams. Yes, Virginia, they exist. Female athletes in every sport have struggled to gain recognition from the media and the public. Today, women are stepping up their game in the pro football world and gaining huge strides, one yard at a time.

5 Proactive PR Tips for Sports Figures

by Gail Sideman | March 26th, 2010 | View Comments

It’s official. Tiger Woods announced on his website that he will begin his comeback from the personal mega-bogey that derailed his professional career for four months.

Ben Roethlisberger is still fighting a sexual assault charge, his second such fumble in three years.

Four University of Oregon football players have been in trouble with the law in the month.

These are just some of the dozens of professional sports figures whose off-the-field actions have affected theirs and their organizations’ reputations.

Despite the proliferation of portable recording devices and media’s unprecedented coverage, athletes and coaches who enter the public limelight because of their talents, continue to endure public humiliation because of their own poor personal decisions. It’s for that reason I want to reach out via SportsNetworker with a PR primer. It could even be looked upon as an image savior.

Minor League Teams and Social Media

by Sam Taggart | March 25th, 2010 | View Comments

Q: Can Minor League Teams Build Social Media Followings?

Recently, Sports Networker reader Todd E. Jones wrote in with a great question. He asked, “Do you think it is possible to use social media to build or grow a fan base for a minor league sports team? A few hundred or even a couple thousand fans on Facebook is good, but if a team needs several thousands, is it possible?” Todd brings up a good point. We talk a lot about how established sports organizations (leagues and teams) and players, with large and passionate fan bases, can utilize and capitalize on social media. But what about teams and players in the minor leagues?

Current Success in Minor League Baseball

According to an article by Josh Leventhal on BaseballAmerica.com, “social media have become the perfomance-enhancers of teams’ marketing campaigns, except instead of being frowned upon, social networking is becoming accepted as the best and fastest way to get a message to your fans.” Leventhal continues, “Direct mailing campaigns are being replaced by Facebook and Twitter pages, where fans can actually interact with the team. Streaming video gives fans more access than a basic Website or message board ever did.”

Another First for The Garden: Hockey in 3D

by Stephanie Bagley | March 24th, 2010 | View Comments

Tonight’s New York Rangers vs New York Islanders matchup at Madison Square Garden will be unlike any other in the long-standing rivalry. While the “Potvin sucks” chants, a look back in time, will be prevalent for the Isles visit, the theater at Madison Square Garden will hold a special eye into the first ever 3D NHL hockey broadcast. The game will be shown live at the theater and broadcast on MSG Network.

The telecast will be the first live live 3D sports event delivered to the home. While the 3D viewing experience is the NHL’s first foray into the extra-dimension, it hints what is to come as 3D sports is on course to be the hottest new trend in game viewing. This 3D game nips at the heels of ESPN ‘s January announcement about the launch of a new 3D channel to be released in June, which has a minimum of 85 3D events planned.

While definitely straight-up cool, especially for a sport like hockey filled with hits, flying pucks and dropping gloves, there are some new challenges that surface.

Now is the Best Time to be a Sports Fan

by Ash Read | March 23rd, 2010 | View Comments

As some of you may know I’m a huge basketball fan and I live in the UK. A few years ago this meant following the NBA could be difficult at times. It often resulted in struggling to stay awake at work or school after staying up until 4 a.m. the previous night to watch a game.

The explosion of social media has made it so much easier to keep up with what’s going on not just in the NBA but across the world of sports. It has also given fans unparalleled access to their favorite teams and athletes. Personally, I feel there has never been a better time to be a sports fan. Here are some of my best reasons why:

Behind the scenes access: At no time in the past have fans had such insight into what goes on behind the scenes. This was really highlighted at the recent NBA All-Star weekend where many players were sharing behind the scenes videos and images on their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

3 Points for Paying College Athletes

by Michelle Hill | March 22nd, 2010 | View Comments

Lately, sports news has been resurrecting the age-old question of whether or not college athletes should be paid. Many wonder if paying college athletes would forever change the nature of the game. A lot of fans say they’d rather watch college sports; somehow they think it’s devoid of politics and the almighty dollar so prevalent in the NFL. Others wonder why college athletes haven’t been paid thus far since their bodies are on the line in each and every game.

Let’s look at three top points to make the case for paying college athletes.

Point #1 Just because a college kid gets a scholarship that includes a meal plan and housing doesn’t mean he has access to unlimited funds, or any funds at all for that matter; to order pizza on the weekend, buy some new socks or jeans, or even go home during breaks. A small wage would help college athletes have a balanced life apart from their athletic activities.

Budgets are for Cowards! How to Fight Back

by Bill Guertin | March 22nd, 2010 | View Comments

The Smiths Every account executive in sports sales would be rich if they had a nickel for every time they’ve heard “It’s Not In The Budget” this year. It’s the all-purpose excuse for the new normal. After all, it’s an easy out for the prospect; how can any rep argue with a budget that they can’t see?

As a group of sales professionals, our success against a stingy budget boils down to two things:

A rock-solid understanding of the value of our product to our clients, and;
An iron will to continue to sell through their initial resistance.

Most everyone that has the power to write a check is nervous about the pressure they’re getting from all sides. Spending money in the “wrong” way has been the kiss of death for many executives, and no one wants to be the next victim.