In social media, the fans always have a voice

A fan gets interviewed during the New England Patriots Super Bowl pep-rally on February 1, 2012.  

For years fans sat at home and watched games from their televisions. If they weren't watching at home they were at a bar or maybe fortunate enough to be live at the game. These sports fans are often passionate and opinionated. Many of them scream and yell out loud. They have comments to make about the players, coaches and announcers. Until recently the only way these voices could be heard was by man on the street interviews, sports radio and all the people in ears reach of their roars. Social media has now given these fans the ability to directly communicate with their favorite players directly. Is this a big deal to sports fans?

“Believe it or not, social media has had an enormous impact on the sports field as we know it today. Ten years ago, we would sit and watch a sporting event, take in the events, and that was it. Now, consumers can interact with games as they are on, add their own commentary, and be a part of the dialogue thanks to Twitter, Facebook, and the like.” Says Yankees fan, Lindsey Hanlon. “Every night I watch the Yankee game, and multiple times throughout the game, Michael Kay talks about comments that have arrived via Twitter based on a conversation he may be having with his co-commentators, or even correcting him if he has misspoken.”

Photo submitted by Lindsey Hanlon, showing her support for one of her favorite Yankees during a game at Yankee Stadium.

Lindsey brings up great points of how social media makes sports broadcasts interactive with fans in real time. Broadcasters can pose questions to their audience and get instantaneous responses through this social media platform.

“It’s also allowed for an interactive conversation. You can’t publicly comment on the score you see on TV – well to a infinitely large audience anyway, but you can when you see it on Facebook. In terms of marketing, this probably is the most beneficial use of social media in the area of sports.” Says New Jersey Devils fan, Lia Papamarkou. “For years, teams where almost limited in their reach to those who could attend their games live – there was a benefit to TV broadcasts, but social media has allowed for another level of intimate interaction with fans that have the potential to increase loyalty. Staffing limitations in stadiums/arenas don’t really allow for special attention to fans, however, fans on Facebook/Twitter are able to be singled out for their contributions.”

Photo taken by Lia Papamarkou during her time at a New Jersey Devils game.

The contributions of the fans are what make the Twitter network so strong. Majority of people that follow these athletes and news organizations on Twitter are fans. If fans didn't embrace social media the way they have, organizations wouldn't be incorporating it into broadcasts the amount they have.

Lindsay believes, “people yearn to be connected to sports professionals, to be associated with greatness in any way and social media allows that to happen.”

The popularity of social media appears to be at an all time high. But is social media and sports are relationship that’s here to stay?

“I think social media is too valuable to ever go away. While the actual tools may evolve, too many people willfully joined the conversation over these channels to ever be ignored again especially with respect to sports – internationally and domestically,” said Lia.

How do fans see social media involving in the future? Boston Sports fan Robert Mudge anticipates social media expanding.

Robert Mudge was in a wedding and the groomsman took  a photo with  Boston Bruins Jerseys . They sent in the photo to NESN's "B Part of it" contest. There photo made it on air as seen in this picture.

“I think social media is an incredible and will only expand. I see it creeping into games, whether its players tweeting between half’s etc, within next five to ten years. It can’t hurt, can only help and it’s not like they would ever stop a game to have players tweet. I just feel that the closer players can be to fans, the better it is for the leagues overall in terms of dollars- and at the end of the day that’s what every single owner cares about.”

Mudge went on to discuss the economic importance and ramifications of social media in sports.

"Social Media, even with league restrictions, will continue to expand over the next five years. If I could put a number or quantity on it, I would be confident enough to say its use would double. Every network, every anchor, every show has a page or handle on social media. Go to the page, get more information, become a bigger fan, spend more dollars, help the league grow," replied Mudge. "The formula is simple, and although leagues do not want social media distracting their players during business, all cannot argue the bottom line- social media brings casual fans closer to the action and can turn them into avid fans that are more likely to spend their hard earned money on league product."

For more fan opinions on social media in sports, click here to listen to my interview with Mark Brehaut.