#digisports- We’re Going Global!!

As mentioned in previous posts, Twitter has become a strong entity in both the sports world and the social media world. But how big is it? It’s international. The social media and sports world have combined not only here in theU.S., but globally. And, quite frankly, the other countries might be beating us at our own game. Most social media experts in theU.S.often search for sports media under the hash tag #SMSports, which will give them a great amount of information on our own professional leagues such as the NFL and NBA, but what should be taken into greater consideration is the international social media hash tag: #digisports.

Digisports (without the hash tag) is a term from the two key phrases “digital” and “sports.” It gained rapid popularity in Romaniawhen digisportsnetwork.com, and a few other similar sites, were created for the Romanian population to gain access to international sports broadcasting from their computers. The actual term “Digisports” is most well understood as utilizing digital media for sports broadcasting, discussion, highlights, and many of the other elements you would find on a sports television network’s website. However, digisports takes it a step further by often eluding to the international sharing of sports. Some great examples of digisports sites are; http://www.theuksportsnetwork.com/; http://www.digisportlive.net; and http://www.digitalsport.com.au.

 What you may or may not be aware of, is the large popularity and growth of digisports.  In theU.K., sports network websites are focused much more around the incorporation of media and new technology. For example, if you take a look at the UK Sports Network website (listed above) you’ll find that many of their articles and links discuss mobile and social media, and how a fan can become more involved through such medians. In Australia, the Digital Sports Summit hosts an annual sports and social media event at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds, which includes international fans following through Twitter, Facebook, mobile devices, YouTube, and the sites own integrated technologies. The event hosts both Australian and international speakers from major sports leagues around the world, including our own Kyle Spencer and Nick Monroe of the U.S. NBA. 

 Digisports is starting to have an influence within the sports world of the United States, but mostly when discussing sports from other nations. However, it would be expected for the U.S. sports fans to catch on to this global trend sooner than later.

YES, I will “like” you on Facebook.

YES Network, or the Yankee Entertainment and Sports Network, was launched in March 2002 in response to the monopolistic New York sports coverage of Fox’s SportsNet New York. Although the YES Network is based primarily in the New York area, it has spread across the U.S. nation and to offer pre and post game shows in other parts of the country. However, the pre and post game shows aren’t the only way the YES network reaches out to its national stakeholders. YES has taken full advantage of the popular, ever growing Facebook. As the commentators often recommend visiting the YES website in-between plays, they equally suggest the network’s Facebook page for all their loyal fans. The network has also included a few blogs on its website, providing in-depth discussions about trends, topics, and events specifically within the Yankee world. However, the YES Network Facebook  page is widely recognized, and is a model for business Facebook pages.

Jack Curry is the YES Network’s representative for the station’s Facebook page. The network has him not only listed as such on their home website, but under the network’s Facebook page as well. Curry’s role in Facebook goes beyond simply posting team updates, he leaves intriguing thoughts and questions to help spark community comments and responses, and makes sure to respond to comments himself. Carry has even been able to address problems such as fans being unable to receive the TV station and watch the game within minutes of a comment.
Through his consistent and fast responses, followers become more involved and create stronger dialogue, an important aspect of social media. According to Chris Treadaway, co-author of Advance Praise for Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day, people are more likely to connect with those who share a common interest, and build a relaotinship with a company which supports that interest. The idea of using Facebook to promote the YES station and it’s sports coverage is strongly supported by Treadaway’s idea of reinforcing the comapny and consumer relationship, as most social media is based on the idea of friendship and association. Treadaway also reminds us of the importance of feedback and responses. Feedback from Facebook friends of the YES network often consist of little ideas of suggestions about what they would like to watch more of, or concerns about the TV programming. Carry does an excellent job of responding to these comments, even if it’s as simple as letting the follower know he read the comment.

Thanks to Jack Curry’s consistent dedication to the site, socialbakers.com has reported that the YES Network Facebook page has a fan growth speed of approximately 169 per week, 332 in two weeks, and over 600 in one month. But what makes Curry so special to the fans? According the YES Network and the New York Times, Curry has been writing and reporting about the Yankees for almost 25 years now. Jack Curry has gained a reputation as a well respected source for Yankee insight and information, and is often interviewed on other sports channels such as MSG, ESPN, and MSNBC. The Yankee and YES Network fans will, at time, write comments directed towards curry instead of the team or network on the site. By allowing Curry full control over the network’s Facebook page, YES has proven even more loyal to their Yankee empire.

SNY’s approach

SportsNet New York, more commonly referred to as SNY or Sportsnet, is a popular sports station in the North East, more specifically, the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. What makes SNY unique from other sports stations is that it focuses specifically on the major New York Sports teams. Amongst the many New York sports teams, its strength comes form its endless coverage of the New York Mets, both major and minor league teams. That being said, although the station and website both cover the forever rivaled New York Yankees, SNY is the station for Mets fans.

The SNY social media provides many ways for its viewers to become active online advocates and participants through their Facebook page, Twitter Page, and online blogs. The SNY.tv website has a blog for each of the New York sports teams, as well as a few personal blogs from sports journalists such as Adam Zagoria. Many sports networks have the Facebook, Twitter, and blog features as well, so what give SNY that extra boost to gain a strong following? The answer is passionate, online communities.

The SNY blog site allows for followers of the specific teams to write any and how ever many comments they please on a given post. From this, followers have created strong online community within each blog. Throughout the duration of one Mets game, there have been over 100 comments from fans, many of them posting multiple comments and responses to one another. Through the various conversations that can be seen through the blogs, there is clear passion not only for the sport and team, but also for the conversations that are being created on the site. SNY allows the followers to leave not only comments, but pictures, fun graphics, and videos as well. SNY has the blogs directly within their main website, and numerous people use statistics and comments from the network’s sports writers during discussions and debates. SNY is utilizing their social media by creating attention to the rest of the website.

The SNY Twitter page has also taken the basics of the forum a step further. The site is interactive, responding to various followers and “tweeting” new information on teams, games and highlights. However, it also keeps followers interested by hosting Twitter contests, or a “TWEET TO WIN PROMOTION. ” These “promotions” consist of questions that refer to a recent topic or event that was covered by SNY. Most of the answers to these questions can be found either while watching the SNY programs at that given time, or by referring to SNY website. Many of the major reporters of SNY have their own Twitter accounts as well, and will tweet questions and comments throughout the games. SNY has taken this opportunity and begun including some of these tweets in their live broadcast. The link below will lead you to a video that gives an explanation on SNY and its relationship with Twitter:

SNY Incorporating Twitter Video

According to Liana Evans, author of Social Media Marketing: Strategies for Engaging in Facebook, Twitter & Other Social Media, a key component of social media is the ability to create viral marketing. Viral marketing, or the online word-of-mouth way to market, is a great way for a company’s image and presence to be known. By allowing consumers to be involved in the company’s blog or forum, the company is allowing consumers to not only interact with one another, but also take away information outside of the general advertising or station shows to share with others. Often, those who are active in the forum or blog share a common interest, and are more likely to share the information of that company with outsiders who share that same interest. This often leads to an increase webpage and social media visits and interactions, allowing viral marketing.