Social Media and Sports
Has social media’s impact on the professional sports world been positive or negative?
Social media has made a massive impact on our culture. One of the areas that has not been affected is professional sports. In today’s world, professional sports teams and players from around the world use social media to connect with their global fan bases. Sports teams attempt to build a larger, stronger fan base by engaging fans through social media sites. Additionally, social media sites allow professional athletes to increase their marketability. However, they can also severely damage their career, personal life, and their ‘brand’ if they do not handle their social media interactions with care (Van Schaik). Twitter and Facebook allow teams and players to be interactive and personal with fans. They can use these platforms to not only deliver basic team news updates, but to share information about autograph signings, charity events, or ticket specials too. One of the most important aspects of any sports team is that they have a loyal, growing fan base that feels like they are valued and appreciated. Therefore, these fans will stand by their team through thick and thin. Social media provides the perfect opportunity for that. Sports teams and athletes are becoming more and more efficient at using social media to create a positive impact on their team and their fan’s.
One of the positive impacts of social media on professional sports is the ability to share news and information with fans through it. Social media websites are beginning to replace sports radio and cable networks as the dominant places to find the latest breaking sports news. It seems more and more sports fans are turning to the internet for the latest sports news, updates, and information about their favorite teams or players. More specifically, fans are utilizing social sites such as Facebook and Twitter. In fact, fans are 10 times more likely to check Facebook or Twitter for their sports news than sports
Social media has made a massive impact on our culture. One of the areas that has not been affected is professional sports. In today’s world, professional sports teams and players from around the world use social media to connect with their global fan bases. Sports teams attempt to build a larger, stronger fan base by engaging fans through social media sites. Additionally, social media sites allow professional athletes to increase their marketability. However, they can also severely damage their career, personal life, and their ‘brand’ if they do not handle their social media interactions with care (Van Schaik). Twitter and Facebook allow teams and players to be interactive and personal with fans. They can use these platforms to not only deliver basic team news updates, but to share information about autograph signings, charity events, or ticket specials too. One of the most important aspects of any sports team is that they have a loyal, growing fan base that feels like they are valued and appreciated. Therefore, these fans will stand by their team through thick and thin. Social media provides the perfect opportunity for that. Sports teams and athletes are becoming more and more efficient at using social media to create a positive impact on their team and their fan’s.
One of the positive impacts of social media on professional sports is the ability to share news and information with fans through it. Social media websites are beginning to replace sports radio and cable networks as the dominant places to find the latest breaking sports news. It seems more and more sports fans are turning to the internet for the latest sports news, updates, and information about their favorite teams or players. More specifically, fans are utilizing social sites such as Facebook and Twitter. In fact, fans are 10 times more likely to check Facebook or Twitter for their sports news than sports
Cited: Altobelli, Diana. "The Rise of Social Media in Professional Sports." 1 SEO. N.p., 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 19 Dec. 2012. <http://www.1seo.com/blog/the-rise-of-social-media-in-professional-sports>. Blakley, Julie. "Sports and Social Media." Postano. N.p., 7 Aug. 2012. Web. 20 Dec. 2012. <http://www.postano.com/blog/sports-and-social-media>. "Jackson Fined for Tweet about Ibaka." NBA.com. N.p., 10 Dec. 2012. Web. 20 Dec. 2012. <http://www.nba.com/2012/news/12/10/jackson-fine-ap.ap/index.html>. Van Schaik, Thomas. "Professional Athletes on Social Media: Why Some Get Fans and Others Fines." Sports Networker. N.p., 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 19 Dec. 2012. <http://www.sportsnetworker.com/2011/09/19/professional-athletes-on-social-media-why-some-get-fans-and-others-fines>. Westhenry, Rowanne. "Sports Stars on Twitter: Marketing Geniuses or Massive Twits?" Bleacher Report. N.p., 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 20 Dec. 2012. <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1365810-social-media-in-sport-fantastic-future-or-tweeting-twits>.