Touching, as always, from Rinaldi.
May 30, 2010
Tom Rinaldi goes Emmy-hunting
ESPN's long feature master Tom Rinaldi, a 2007 Sports Emmy winner in that category, goes hunting again (like he does every week). This time, the piece tells the story of the hero of the 1950 US men's national soccer team, Joe Gaetjens, who scored the lone goal in the US' 1-0 miracle win over England.
May 26, 2010
Creating the bond between city identity and team
Exhibit A, regarding the new logo for the Portland Timbers, set to join Major League Soccer in 2011:
Creating that bond is, obviously, crucial to ensuring the team's viability. Considering that the city of Portland has given $31 million to upgrade the Timbers' PGE Stadium, one might suggest that there is a lot of (local) vested interest in the new MLS franchise's success.
Turns out that PGE Stadium - in its various incarnations - is an 85-year-old facility whose eccentricity lies in the fact that it has been used as a football, baseball, and soccer stadium during its lifetime. Rather than redevelop the stadium to mirror the likes of Red Bull Arena or Toyota Park, the J-shaped, downtown PGE Stadium will rely on a quirkiness that the team hopes will draw on the familiarity of older stadiums and, thus, become the MLS-version of Fenway Park or Lambeau Field.
Creating that bond is, obviously, crucial to ensuring the team's viability. Considering that the city of Portland has given $31 million to upgrade the Timbers' PGE Stadium, one might suggest that there is a lot of (local) vested interest in the new MLS franchise's success.
The redeveloped PGE Stadium won't be brand new, but it will have
character, charm, and a downtown location.
Turns out that PGE Stadium - in its various incarnations - is an 85-year-old facility whose eccentricity lies in the fact that it has been used as a football, baseball, and soccer stadium during its lifetime. Rather than redevelop the stadium to mirror the likes of Red Bull Arena or Toyota Park, the J-shaped, downtown PGE Stadium will rely on a quirkiness that the team hopes will draw on the familiarity of older stadiums and, thus, become the MLS-version of Fenway Park or Lambeau Field.
May 25, 2010
In soccer, as in any sport, pretty girls = good ratings
While it may be the oldest TV broadcasting maxim in the book, it is still interesting for me to hear it so prominently proclaimed. In this short behind-the-scenes video from Fox Soccer Channel's Football Fone-In, we see male co-hosts Eric Wynalda and Nick Webster tout the addition of former Arizona State University soccer standout Temryss Lane (twitter) for boosting their show's ratings. Again, it's an obvious connection, but it's almost flaunted by her male counterparts in the vid below.
The boost in ratings, furthermore, has not gone overlooked by Major League Soccer and their website - which produced an article on Lane's rise, put together a photo gallery of Lane that dates to her playing days at ASU, and featured her - along with the rest of the Football Fone-In cast - on yesterday's MLS video podcast.
What is Lane's role on the Fox Soccer Channel's prime call-in show, you might ask? She is charged with breaking down highlights for the WPS as well as responding to e-mails and Tweets - not altogether unlike the role currently held by another female in the realm of cable sportsdom...that is, the role that Jenn Sterger plays on Versus' The Daily Line, a nightly sports talk show where Jenn blogs, conducts a live chat, and reads Tweets during the telecast.
I guess these women are just another pair in the long line of women relegated to the sidelines of sports broadcasting, seeing as both are typically shown (by themselves) to the fair right or left of the show's main desks. But in the digital age, it's interesting to see that the sideline - for these two shows at least - is now the Internet...a place where both Lane and Sterger - as aspiring models - have their own followings.
The boost in ratings, furthermore, has not gone overlooked by Major League Soccer and their website - which produced an article on Lane's rise, put together a photo gallery of Lane that dates to her playing days at ASU, and featured her - along with the rest of the Football Fone-In cast - on yesterday's MLS video podcast.
What is Lane's role on the Fox Soccer Channel's prime call-in show, you might ask? She is charged with breaking down highlights for the WPS as well as responding to e-mails and Tweets - not altogether unlike the role currently held by another female in the realm of cable sportsdom...that is, the role that Jenn Sterger plays on Versus' The Daily Line, a nightly sports talk show where Jenn blogs, conducts a live chat, and reads Tweets during the telecast.
The Daily Line hosts. And I ask, why is Jenn's head
so disproportionately tilted?
I guess these women are just another pair in the long line of women relegated to the sidelines of sports broadcasting, seeing as both are typically shown (by themselves) to the fair right or left of the show's main desks. But in the digital age, it's interesting to see that the sideline - for these two shows at least - is now the Internet...a place where both Lane and Sterger - as aspiring models - have their own followings.
May 20, 2010
New Nike World Cup Commercial
Deadspin called it meta-referential. Why else would they include Kobe Bryant and Roger Federer? I'd say that applies, as does hyperbolic.
The following is a result of Nike's tireless effort to make the grandest statements in their commercials. Though, in the case of an England victory in the World Cup, I dare say you'd see plenty of Wayne-babies in England in the coming months. So, perhaps that's not an exaggeration. One mistake that's made, however, is the inclusion of Brazilian star Ronaldinho, who did not make Brazil's World Cup roster.
In the end, Nike just doing it like only they can.
The following is a result of Nike's tireless effort to make the grandest statements in their commercials. Though, in the case of an England victory in the World Cup, I dare say you'd see plenty of Wayne-babies in England in the coming months. So, perhaps that's not an exaggeration. One mistake that's made, however, is the inclusion of Brazilian star Ronaldinho, who did not make Brazil's World Cup roster.
In the end, Nike just doing it like only they can.
New Philadelphia-area MLS Stadium almost ready
The stadium, located 15 miles from the center of Philly in Chester, Pennsylvania, is getting close to being completed.
Even better news according to the MLS Insider blog and the Philadelphia Business Journal, the Philadelphia Union - who will make the new facility, dubbed PPL Park, their home - have sold out their limited allotment of 12,000 season ticket plans for the 2010 season. I'm certain that a large number of those season tickets have been sold to the fan support group, the Sons of Ben (as in, Franklin), which already boasts over 5,000 members.
The team decided to cap the number of season tickets in the 18,500-seat stadium so that single-game and walk-up tickets could be sold for home matches. The stadium is slated to debut on Sunday, June 27th, when the Union take on the Seattle Sounders at 5 pm on ESPN2.
And both MLS and the team expect the new building to be filled to capacity throughout the remainder of the home schedule. Why? Because the Union - in their two home matches in Lincoln Financial Field - have drawn 34,870 (for the franchise debut) and 25,038 (for a game against FC Dallas last week) fans.
Seems like a good start for MLS in Philadelphia, but it remains to be seen whether the new stadium will be the locus of job creation and neighborhood revitalization that both the league and team promised.
You know what they say about waterfront property.
Even better news according to the MLS Insider blog and the Philadelphia Business Journal, the Philadelphia Union - who will make the new facility, dubbed PPL Park, their home - have sold out their limited allotment of 12,000 season ticket plans for the 2010 season. I'm certain that a large number of those season tickets have been sold to the fan support group, the Sons of Ben (as in, Franklin), which already boasts over 5,000 members.
The stadium will apparently have a special entrance for the Sons of Ben.
The team decided to cap the number of season tickets in the 18,500-seat stadium so that single-game and walk-up tickets could be sold for home matches. The stadium is slated to debut on Sunday, June 27th, when the Union take on the Seattle Sounders at 5 pm on ESPN2.
And both MLS and the team expect the new building to be filled to capacity throughout the remainder of the home schedule. Why? Because the Union - in their two home matches in Lincoln Financial Field - have drawn 34,870 (for the franchise debut) and 25,038 (for a game against FC Dallas last week) fans.
The team has already had good support at cavernous
Lincoln Financial Field.
Seems like a good start for MLS in Philadelphia, but it remains to be seen whether the new stadium will be the locus of job creation and neighborhood revitalization that both the league and team promised.
May 19, 2010
Want to Buy Michael Jordan's (Slightly Used) McLaren?
It's only $449,000, currently listed at auction on eBay. Actually kind of a steal since Mercedes only built 150 of these, at a price (in 2007) of around $480,000 and since Jordan put it up for sale on eBay last year for $599,480. The current price, therefore, is a sweet $150k discount.
As GM for the Wizards and Bobcats, Jordan was adept at
running the team into the ground. With just 951 miles on the odometer,
thankfully, this car was spared that fate.
thankfully, this car was spared that fate.
More good news, besides a Michael Jordan signed title, is that the car is actually a "722 Special Edition" 2007 Mercedes McLaren SLR, which means it can go from 0-60 in a paltry 3.6 seconds.
Better yet, because the top speed is 210 mph, you should be back from the grocery store in no time. So put your Ford Fiesta in the garage and get to bidding! Just five days left!
May 18, 2010
How sad is this?
In the most picturesque stadium in all of baseball, just under 9,300 fans managed to show up to watch MLB's two lamest teams duke it out on a Monday night. The Kansas City Royals won 4-3, but the telling story of the game is this shot from Jen Royle of MASN.
Sad, indeed.
The small gathering in the 2nd inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Sad, indeed.
May 17, 2010
Horse Racing fans in Baltimore "Get their Preak On"
Last year, Preakness officials, eager to put an end to the "Freakness" party in the track's infield, banned patrons from bringing in their own coolers and beverages (read: alcohol). The result? A 30% drop in attendance for the 2009 race compared to 2008, the biggest one-year drop in Preakness history (from 112,222 to 77,850).
Fast-forward to Saturday's race, where Preakness officials launched a massive ad campaign to bring those patrons (and their money) back to the track by publicizing the return of the drunkenness and debauchery to the infield at Pimlico. Entitled "Get Your Preak On," the campaign was met with more than its fair share of controversy. One columnist from the Baltimore Sun called it an "embarrassment," "sleazy," and "pathetic." On the opposite side, Baltimore sportscaster Scott Garceau called it edgy and well-targeted at 20 year-old, potential horse racing fans. Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas insisted that the campaign's volatility was a great marketing tool in and of itself:
All this notwithstanding, was the campaign effective in selling more tickets? Well, coolers were still prohibited in the infield but organizers eased up on the previous year's crackdown and even offered some all-you-can-drink and $1 beer specials. As a result, attendance increased by 18,000 people over last year for a total of 95,760 (about an 18% increase over last year), - but remained well below the attendance records during the "bring-your-own-cooler" era.
The question that remains, however, (and asked by Baltimore Sun blogger David Zurawik) do any of the people in the infield care about horse racing? Or, in other words, can the marketing scheme and resulting media circus actually bring fans to Pimlico on any other day of the year? If the answer is no, then who cares how classy the infield party is at the Preakness? Let Missy Elliott run wild. It's simply a separate, but simultaneous event to the second jewel of horse racing's triple crown.
Fast-forward to Saturday's race, where Preakness officials launched a massive ad campaign to bring those patrons (and their money) back to the track by publicizing the return of the drunkenness and debauchery to the infield at Pimlico. Entitled "Get Your Preak On," the campaign was met with more than its fair share of controversy. One columnist from the Baltimore Sun called it an "embarrassment," "sleazy," and "pathetic." On the opposite side, Baltimore sportscaster Scott Garceau called it edgy and well-targeted at 20 year-old, potential horse racing fans. Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas insisted that the campaign's volatility was a great marketing tool in and of itself:
"Let's look at it real simple. People like it. People don't like it. One thing's for sure, (the media) is doing a lot of stories and a lot of articles about it, which keeps the Preakness and racing at the front of everybody's minds."Controversial ad campaigns for sports and sports figures help to get people talking - no matter where they stand - as the old saying goes: any publicity is good publicity. And since the campaign made its way into the USA Today and the front page of Washington Post on Friday, no one can argue with the campaign's success in drumming up media attention.
All this notwithstanding, was the campaign effective in selling more tickets? Well, coolers were still prohibited in the infield but organizers eased up on the previous year's crackdown and even offered some all-you-can-drink and $1 beer specials. As a result, attendance increased by 18,000 people over last year for a total of 95,760 (about an 18% increase over last year), - but remained well below the attendance records during the "bring-your-own-cooler" era.
The question that remains, however, (and asked by Baltimore Sun blogger David Zurawik) do any of the people in the infield care about horse racing? Or, in other words, can the marketing scheme and resulting media circus actually bring fans to Pimlico on any other day of the year? If the answer is no, then who cares how classy the infield party is at the Preakness? Let Missy Elliott run wild. It's simply a separate, but simultaneous event to the second jewel of horse racing's triple crown.
May 15, 2010
I'm sorry, what?!!?
The latest advert for ESPN's World Cup coverage is here, again with some help from U2.
So, is the lesson don't watch this year's World Cup with your sister?
So, is the lesson don't watch this year's World Cup with your sister?
Could the Jets really be blacked out this season?
I've had a busy week away from TES, but I couldn't help taking note of the following bombshell dropped on Jets fans this week. If the more than 10,000 PSLs for Jets seats in the new Meadowlands Stadium aren't sold by the first week of the 2010 NFL season, there could be Jets blackouts in the New York metro area. Many of the unsold seats are located in the non-club seat sections of the stadium's lower bowl, with PSL prices between $4,000 and $20,000.
But can you believe it!??! Blackouts! In New York! For a team that made it to the conference championship game last season. For what it's worth, Jets owner Woody Johnson insists that the blackouts won't happen...but there is a slight chance that Johnson could wind up paying for a few of the remaining PSLs himself, in order to ensure the team makes it onto television.
So, just how desperate is Johnson to get these seats sold? Check out the latest incredible offer from Jets brass sent to season ticket holders who have not yet purchased a PSL: no money down on a new PSL, free parking, and - get this - the pièce de résistance...a free DVD of the 2009 Jets season. That Woody Johnson, a real closer.
Plenty of ugly gray seats still available
But can you believe it!??! Blackouts! In New York! For a team that made it to the conference championship game last season. For what it's worth, Jets owner Woody Johnson insists that the blackouts won't happen...but there is a slight chance that Johnson could wind up paying for a few of the remaining PSLs himself, in order to ensure the team makes it onto television.
So, just how desperate is Johnson to get these seats sold? Check out the latest incredible offer from Jets brass sent to season ticket holders who have not yet purchased a PSL: no money down on a new PSL, free parking, and - get this - the pièce de résistance...a free DVD of the 2009 Jets season. That Woody Johnson, a real closer.
May 12, 2010
Never doubt the passion of 20,000 hockey-mad Montrealers...
By defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference semifinals tonight by a score of 5-2, the Montreal Canadiens became just the second 8-seed to advance past the first round of the NHL playoffs (the Canadiens were just the 9th number 8-seed to advance past the first round).
The only other team to do it? The 2005-2006 Edmonton Oilers, who ran a hot streak past the Red Wings, Sharks, and Mighty Ducks to reach the '06 Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers ended up losing that series to the Carolina Hurricanes (the Eastern Conference's number 2-seed) in seven games.
However, not even the Oilers can share in the incredulousness of the Canadiens' run because, by beating the Capitals in the first round and the Penguins in the second, the Canadiens defeated the President's Trophy winners and the defending Stanley Cup Champions in successive series. And that's never been done by an 8-seed in the NHL playoffs. Ever.
As a result of tonight's victory in Pittsburgh, I'm sure the 20,000 fans who packed the Bell Centre in Montreal are going bananas. That's right, tonight's game was a sellout hundreds of miles away in Montreal, where the Bell Centre sold out for fans willing to watch the game on the arena's Jumbotron. According to this report from CTV, the Bell Centre sold out in about 40 minutes. Tickets were sold by the team for $10 a piece, but scalpers reported that values had increased to about $40-50 at game time.
When I see something like this, where a team can fill a stadium without even playing in it, I think about the power of sports - and also the power of media. Because it's not everyday you can attend an NHL-viewing house party with 20,000 of your craziest hockey friends.
The only other team to do it? The 2005-2006 Edmonton Oilers, who ran a hot streak past the Red Wings, Sharks, and Mighty Ducks to reach the '06 Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers ended up losing that series to the Carolina Hurricanes (the Eastern Conference's number 2-seed) in seven games.
However, not even the Oilers can share in the incredulousness of the Canadiens' run because, by beating the Capitals in the first round and the Penguins in the second, the Canadiens defeated the President's Trophy winners and the defending Stanley Cup Champions in successive series. And that's never been done by an 8-seed in the NHL playoffs. Ever.
Canadiens fans inside the Bell Center celebrate a first period goal
against the Penguins on Wednesday night. Or maybe they just found out
they could save up to 15% on their car insurance by switching to Geico.
They love their hockey in Montreal but, in fairness, that is a
pretty decent-sized HD screen.
When I see something like this, where a team can fill a stadium without even playing in it, I think about the power of sports - and also the power of media. Because it's not everyday you can attend an NHL-viewing house party with 20,000 of your craziest hockey friends.
May 9, 2010
The Minnesota Twins are providing a history lesson...
After moving from a sterile space (the Metrodome), the Twins now have a place "with a soul," says one official. One of the many, many examples is the team's lineup video introduction. It provides a walk through the team's history - especially its outdoors legacy - and even uses some snappy CGI microfiche.
Interesting stuff.
Interesting stuff.
May 8, 2010
World Record Crowd for Hockey Game
In Germany yesterday, the Veltins-Arena set the record for the largest crowd ever for a hockey game, hosting over 77,000 fans for an opening round game - between Germany and the U.S. - of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship (it's like the Olympic tournament, but with fewer stars - since the NHL playoffs are underway - and more advertising). The Germans, backed by a raucous crowd, won in overtime by a score of 2-1.
The stadium, located in the city of Gelsenkirchen, hosted several soccer games during the 2006 World Cup and is the permanent host of Bundesliga club Schalke 04, currently in second place in league play.
I'm impressed, mostly because 77k is a lot of people to watch an opening round game.
The stadium, located in the city of Gelsenkirchen, hosted several soccer games during the 2006 World Cup and is the permanent host of Bundesliga club Schalke 04, currently in second place in league play.
I'm impressed, mostly because 77k is a lot of people to watch an opening round game.
May 7, 2010
Major League Soccer Expands into Canada (Again)
Today, Major League Soccer announced its 19th franchise, an expansion team based in Montreal. Canada's second largest city, however, will not be starting from scratch. Currently, the Montreal Impact, a club whose existence goes back nearly two decades, play in the the highest minor league division for professional soccer in the US/Canada. They were champions of that league last season.
Even better for MLS, the Impact already play in a relatively new (opened in 2008) soccer-specific stadium. That facility, Saputo Stadium, will be upgraded for the switch to MLS in 2012. Bonus: Saputo Stadium has a natural grass surface.
The Impact's addition to MLS means that when they join the league in 2012, there will be three Canadian-based squads in the league (Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps). And, already, there is a tense rivalry between these teams (there is a natural city rivalry between Montreal and Toronto), having met in various cup matches and lower-division games. Moving Montreal and Vancouver to the MLS will only enhance these north-of-the-border rivalries.
In fact, I'm thinking that the tri-city Canadian rivalry could potentially be one of the most contentious in the entire league. At current moment, the only intense rivalry (described as "these two teams really don't like each other") in MLS is between Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy (the teams share a stadium in Carson City, CA). But, when Portland and Vancouver join the MLS in 2011, many expect a natural rivalry to develop between those two cities and Seattle, home of Sounders FC and the largest crowds in MLS.
All of these current and future rivalries overshadow what should be the league's most potent rivalry division with the teams located in New York, New England, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, the rivalry between New York and D.C. has never fully blossomed because both teams have struggled in recent seasons. The league is hoping that New York and Philadelphia could bloom into a "mega-rivalry," but because the Union are in just their first year of play in MLS, a true rivalry will take time.
In all, expansion into soccer-friendly markets and soccer-specific stadiums is a natural evolution for MLS. Though it remains to be seen whether the Canadian clubs will come to dominate, they will clearly be a boon for the league if only by providing some of the league's most dramatic match-ups.
Even better for MLS, the Impact already play in a relatively new (opened in 2008) soccer-specific stadium. That facility, Saputo Stadium, will be upgraded for the switch to MLS in 2012. Bonus: Saputo Stadium has a natural grass surface.
The Impact will use Montreal's Olympic Stadium (foreground)
for select home matches.
The Impact's addition to MLS means that when they join the league in 2012, there will be three Canadian-based squads in the league (Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps). And, already, there is a tense rivalry between these teams (there is a natural city rivalry between Montreal and Toronto), having met in various cup matches and lower-division games. Moving Montreal and Vancouver to the MLS will only enhance these north-of-the-border rivalries.
In fact, I'm thinking that the tri-city Canadian rivalry could potentially be one of the most contentious in the entire league. At current moment, the only intense rivalry (described as "these two teams really don't like each other") in MLS is between Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy (the teams share a stadium in Carson City, CA). But, when Portland and Vancouver join the MLS in 2011, many expect a natural rivalry to develop between those two cities and Seattle, home of Sounders FC and the largest crowds in MLS.
All of these current and future rivalries overshadow what should be the league's most potent rivalry division with the teams located in New York, New England, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, the rivalry between New York and D.C. has never fully blossomed because both teams have struggled in recent seasons. The league is hoping that New York and Philadelphia could bloom into a "mega-rivalry," but because the Union are in just their first year of play in MLS, a true rivalry will take time.
In all, expansion into soccer-friendly markets and soccer-specific stadiums is a natural evolution for MLS. Though it remains to be seen whether the Canadian clubs will come to dominate, they will clearly be a boon for the league if only by providing some of the league's most dramatic match-ups.
May 5, 2010
The NHL is getting better at this Winter Classic thing
The nostalgia streams are on full blast in this 7-minute montage of the 2010 NHL Winter Classic. Appreciate it for yourselves, as the NHL piles on the memories...
...your dad used to skate on your backyard pond too, right? I suggest watching this in HD, nothing says classic memory like a slow-motion HD montage (is that the "Rudy" music in the background?).
Combined with their recent playoff ad series, "History will be made," the NHL's devotion to memory, history, and nostalgia is becoming their bread-and-butter. Which is fine, except I am a little thrown-off when the NHL adds Mike Cammalleri's swatted-in goal from game two of the current Canadiens-Penguins Eastern Conference semifinals series.
Previous "History will be made" commercials feature Ray Bourque, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, in some of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport. You're telling me, NHL, that Cammalleri's go-ahead goal (the Canadiens eventually won the game 3-1) in the second period deserves to be on the same historical echelon? I dunno about that.
...your dad used to skate on your backyard pond too, right? I suggest watching this in HD, nothing says classic memory like a slow-motion HD montage (is that the "Rudy" music in the background?).
Combined with their recent playoff ad series, "History will be made," the NHL's devotion to memory, history, and nostalgia is becoming their bread-and-butter. Which is fine, except I am a little thrown-off when the NHL adds Mike Cammalleri's swatted-in goal from game two of the current Canadiens-Penguins Eastern Conference semifinals series.
Previous "History will be made" commercials feature Ray Bourque, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, in some of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport. You're telling me, NHL, that Cammalleri's go-ahead goal (the Canadiens eventually won the game 3-1) in the second period deserves to be on the same historical echelon? I dunno about that.
May 4, 2010
Boston Bruins fans have some interesting dating rules...
I think there is one major difference between the Northeast and the South (the only two regions in which I've lived) when it comes to sports. In the Northeast, fan alliances are primarily geared towards professional teams, while in the South, alliances are typically based upon collegiate teams. Please note that I have not forgotten the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, I just don't consider it geographically relevant at the moment (either way, ESPN has already chronicled that rivalry's dating rules).
One element that seems to cross geographical borders is the notion of dating someone who roots for/attended a rival team/school. But for all the t-shirts espousing the idea (FSU normally carries several in its various bookstores), I think the Boston Bruins have put the most daring foot forward in pleading for its fans to avoid romantic relationships with rival sports fans.
Exhibit A is an advertisement that aired at the beginning of the 2009-2010 season.
Exhibit B is a billboard that was recently spotted outside of the Bruins' TD BankNorth Garden. It's all the more relevant since the Bruins are currently playing the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL's Eastern Conference semifinals.
Clever gamesmanship, but does it say anything about the interconnectedness of sports, relationships, and gender roles? The FSU t-shirt seems to suggest that a father wouldn't allow his daughter to date someone who wasn't from FSU, while the two Bruins ads seem to also favor power in the male side of the relationship...as in, "Hey guy, there's never a good reason to date a girl who is a Canadiens/Flyers fan." Understandably, most sports audiences are male, so these ads play upon that dynamic.
Yet, if you're not taking these ads seriously, what is the message that the Bruins are trying to instill? Is it a depth of fanship that is implied? Some interesting food for thought.
FSU Dating policy?
One element that seems to cross geographical borders is the notion of dating someone who roots for/attended a rival team/school. But for all the t-shirts espousing the idea (FSU normally carries several in its various bookstores), I think the Boston Bruins have put the most daring foot forward in pleading for its fans to avoid romantic relationships with rival sports fans.
Exhibit A is an advertisement that aired at the beginning of the 2009-2010 season.
Exhibit B is a billboard that was recently spotted outside of the Bruins' TD BankNorth Garden. It's all the more relevant since the Bruins are currently playing the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL's Eastern Conference semifinals.
Clever gamesmanship, but does it say anything about the interconnectedness of sports, relationships, and gender roles? The FSU t-shirt seems to suggest that a father wouldn't allow his daughter to date someone who wasn't from FSU, while the two Bruins ads seem to also favor power in the male side of the relationship...as in, "Hey guy, there's never a good reason to date a girl who is a Canadiens/Flyers fan." Understandably, most sports audiences are male, so these ads play upon that dynamic.
Yet, if you're not taking these ads seriously, what is the message that the Bruins are trying to instill? Is it a depth of fanship that is implied? Some interesting food for thought.
May 3, 2010
When I said that Microsoft owns Seattle...
...I meant it. The following photo is from a press conference where Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll's announced the team's draft picks (Russell Okung, Earl Thomas, Golden Tate, etc). I feel like this goes without mentioning, but you do remember that the Seahawks are owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, right?
Apparently, according to Darren Rovell, the microphone flag is the new frontier for media partnerships (about two-thirds of NFL teams already have practice jersey sponsorship deals in place. The Seahawks' practice jersey sponsor? C'mon, guess). Even crazier? The PR-speak from the respective parties involved. First, the Seahawks' CEO Tod Leiweke:
Sigh. I guess when Gurry says that the brand will be at the center of dialogue, I can only hope she means that Bing, Microsoft, Windows 7, and Paul Allen hope Pete Carroll will say something ridiculous enough this season to be featured in a Coors Light commercial or something.
Good luck with that, Coach Carroll.
Carroll's forehead, not yet available.
"We rely on partnerships with companies like Bing to make our business work. The mic flag seemed to be a rational thing to offer as part of our bigger relationship with the Bing brand."And second, Bing's director of marketing and public relations Lisa Gurry:
"We're interested in building this brand in unique, unconventional ways and the mic flag is an example of that. By putting our brand on the mic flag, we're putting our brand front and center of the most important dialogue that takes place."This whole thing seems silly for a number of reasons. Isn't Bing part of Microsoft? Who are the Seahawks and Microsoft fooling acting as if Bing is some separate entity? And, perhaps more importantly, all this for a microphone flag?
Sigh. I guess when Gurry says that the brand will be at the center of dialogue, I can only hope she means that Bing, Microsoft, Windows 7, and Paul Allen hope Pete Carroll will say something ridiculous enough this season to be featured in a Coors Light commercial or something.
Good luck with that, Coach Carroll.
May 1, 2010
Production Values to Promote the MLS
Always interesting to see how teams and leagues use video production techniques to make some super-slick videos to pysch up their fan bases and sell tickets. As far as I've seen, there's been no better video to promote an MLS regular season match than the following viral video for the Chicago Fire (best name in MLS?) against Chivas USA.
That game is tonight at 8.30 p.m. On the opposite side of the 'slick' spectrum, here's a somewhat strange video for the San Jose Earthquakes. The 'Quakes host the Colorado Rapids tonight at 10 p.m.
Comparing the two side-by-side makes me think that Chicago's PR team is leaps and bounds above San Jose's, but perhaps it's simply a different choice in style: Aggressive and passionate collective vs. Inclusive and fun-loving individuals?
That game is tonight at 8.30 p.m. On the opposite side of the 'slick' spectrum, here's a somewhat strange video for the San Jose Earthquakes. The 'Quakes host the Colorado Rapids tonight at 10 p.m.
Comparing the two side-by-side makes me think that Chicago's PR team is leaps and bounds above San Jose's, but perhaps it's simply a different choice in style: Aggressive and passionate collective vs. Inclusive and fun-loving individuals?
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