Jan

28

Cavs host social network game night

Filed Under Social Media, Sports PR 

Last week, I talked about how the Phoenix Suns were effectively using Twitter and even hosted the NBA’s first tweetup. In the most Jan. 19-25 issue of Sports Business Journal, the Coast to Coast feature mentioned how the Cleveland Cavaliers’ social network gets a game-night boost.

The Cleveland Cavaliers dedicated their Jan. 7 game against the Charlotte Bobcats to members of CavFanatic, the online community of friends from the team’s official social network. The next day, CavFanatic.com generated 56,000 page views and 127 new members, compared with the daily average of 39,000 page views and 15 new members. CavFanatic.com was launced in May 2008.

As more and more teams create social networking websites, I expect to see a push for these sites during games both at the arena/stadium and even in reads on-air. PR professionals for a team can create their own page on the networking site and include tidbits of information original to the website. For example, a trivia Q&A section with the option for prizes or a heads up on articles coming down the pipeline after players have participated in interviews for articles. They could even include YouTube videos on the site. The possibilities are endless.

Comments

3 Responses to “Cavs host social network game night”

  1. Jamie Favreau on January 28th, 2009 10:36 am

    The Red Wings have had their social networking site since 2002! It is called Red Wings World and it has a great bunch of people that are members of it. They have raised money for charity, held hockey games that are 20 minutes in a period, had a mini Stanley Cup that was passed between members in the heyday, helpd get the Stevie Y mural up, and have done some great things as a group in the early years.

  2. Christy Hammond on February 12th, 2009 12:33 pm

    Jamie- Thank you for commenting. I do know about the Wings social networking site- I’m an intern with the team in my second season and I used to be a member back in its earlier days.

    It’s great to see so many teams start to create and positively use their social networking sites, isn’t it?

  3. Jeff on April 22nd, 2009 1:38 pm

    I like how the Cavs are staying ahead of the curve here. I can see a lot teams creating their own social network sites in the near future. It is an easier way to inform fans on team transactions and even promotions.

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