Summer Employment: Summit Bechtel Reserve’s Christen High Adventure Base (W.V.)

The Summit Bechtel Reserve’s Christen High Adventure Base is the newest outdoor adventure education facility, in the heart of West Virginia’s New River Gorge. The High Adventure Base is home to an impressive collection of program facilities including 7 challenge courses, 37 miles of downhill and cross country mountain bike trails, 12 canopy tours, 60,000 sq ft of rock climbing structures , to list a few. You can visit http://www.summithighadventure.org to explore The Summit and the programs offered.

They are currently accepting online applications for seasonal staff positions at http://www.summitblog.org/programs/employment/ and looking for men and women 18 years of age or older to help run the 2014 high adventure program.

They will be hiring staff, instructor/guide and manager positions for:
Climbing
Canopy Tours
Zip-lines
Challenge courses
Shooting sports
Kayaking
Mountain biking
BMX
Skateboarding
Camp commissioners
Registration
Logistics
Support staff

This is a great opportunity for students to utilize and refine the skills, education and training they have received thus far and gain further training and ‘in the field experience’ providing exciting adventure education programs. Keep in mind that applicants do not need to be members of the BSA to apply, but must be willing to become members if they are offered a position. 

Internship Opportunity: PGA Tour Summer Internship Program

The PGA TOUR National HQ is once again recruiting for the PGA Tour Summer Internship Program. By leveraging the assets of the PGA TOUR, they are able to offer students a variety of internship opportunities designed to provide optimal exposure and quality first-hand experience in the golf industry. The intern page can be found at http://www.pgatour.com/company/internships.html. The application deadline for yur students is February 28, 2014. 

The PGA TOUR is the world's premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 100 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Web.com Tour and is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

The PGA TOUR's mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.

Program Overview Over the course of our 10 week paid internship program, you will learn about the inner workings of the PGA TOUR and gain an understanding of our corporate functions. In addition to the active role you will have within your department, we will provide you with a classroom based curriculum that will provide an opportunity for personal and professional growth. You will have the opportunity to learn about our core business units first hand from several leaders within our organization as well as fine tune your resume and interview skills that will help you prepare for your future. And, of course, we will have a little bit of fun in the process including opportunities to participate in charity activities, networking events and golf outings!

All internship positions for our 2014 Summer Internship Program will be located at our Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

At the time of application, all candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program
• Currently enrolled as a sophomore or higher
• Cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0
• Eligible to work in the United States

Key Dates: Application Deadline: February 28, 2014
Screening & Interviewing Process: March 1, 2014 - May 1, 2014
Internship Dates: June 2, 2014 - August 8, 2014

The PGA TOUR is an equal opportunity employer.

Internship Opportunity: Aloha Tournaments Summer Operational Position

Aloha Tournaments is looking for a Summer Intern to assist with our busiest season of the year! Our 2014 summer tournament season will consist of 17 different events across the country. In 2013, over 40,000 lacrosse players, between the ages of 7-18 competed in twenty one different events. Aloha Tournaments hosts some of the largest, most well run lacrosse and field hockey events in the nation. While the competition is always top notch, emphasis is placed on providing each player, along with their family and friends, a unique lacrosse experience. This is a great internship for a Sports Management/Administration, Business, or Events majors.

What you’ll do as our intern:
· The intern will be responsible for attending Aloha Tournaments events throughout the internship period; these events are held on weekends (May 17- July 27, 2014). At the events, the intern’s responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
- Assist with event from start to finish
- Loading and unloading truck
- Field set up, clean up and maintenance
- Managing staff
- Parking
- Trash

· The intern will also assist with daily activities in the Aloha Tournaments office and warehouse. These responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Event preparation
- Accept and unload deliveries
- Loading and preparing equipment and supplies for individual tournaments
- Inventory event supplies and equipment before and after events
- Maintain a clean and organized warehouse

What Aloha Tournaments is looking for in our intern:· Proficiency with Microsoft Office
· Excellent oral and communication skills
· Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment and work as part of a team
· Ability to problem solve and develop a solution
· Ability to lift 50+ lbs.

Additional Skills and Experience:· Must be currently enrolled in a full time degree program
· While knowledge of the game of lacrosse is not required, it is preferred.

Compensation:· Interns will be paid $2,500 over a three month period
· Housing will not be provided

Application Process:Please mail, email or fax a cover letter and resume to:
Aloha Tournaments- Internship
PO Box 485
Timonium, MD 21094
info@alohatournaments.com
Fax: 410-252-0225
Phone: 410-252-5642

Internship Opportunity: Fayetteville SwampDogs

2014 SEASON (Spring/Summer) INTERNSHIP INFORMATION

Collegiate Summer Baseball at  J.P. Riddle Stadium

Overview

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are seeking friendly, motivated team players for summer internships at “The Swamp”. Are you a people person? Do you have a passion for baseball? Are you a person of integrity with a good work ethic? Do you have a dream of working in sports? Then a summer internship with the Fayetteville SwampDogs may be for you!

As an intern with the SwampDogs you will receive a unique, well rounded experience to put yourself in a position to be successful in the sports industry. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows you to learn the operations side of summer collegiate baseball at it’s best for 28 regular season home games, plus exhibition games.

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer league featuring teams in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The SwampDogs play at J.P. Riddle Stadium, a Fayetteville landmark, with 28 regular season home games during the summer season.

Intern responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, assisting with grassroots marketing, group sales, promotional efforts, on-field activities and many more incredible facets of summer baseball. Intern positions are offered for the 2014 summer from mid-May through mid-August.

The SwampDogs are looking for current undergraduate and graduate students in sport management, or related fields, that are serious about a career in professional or amateur team sports. If you are a successful candidate, you will get the opportunity to gain practical experience in multiple areas of team operations, including sales, marketing, promotions, stadium operations, ticketing, merchandising, media and public relations and management. You will be working with general manager Jeremy Aagard and assistant general manager Phillip Sims. Aagard was an Assistant General Manager in the Northwoods League for two years, and is entering his eighth year with the Dogs. Under Aagard’s leadership, the Dogs have been honored with the CPL Organization of the Year award in 2007 & 2011. Sims enters his second full time season after spending three seasons as an intern with the Dogs. What does this mean to a potential intern? It means that SwampDogs’ management understands what skills and experience are needed to succeed in this business. You will be challenged with a variety of responsibilities designed not only to ensure the success of the SwampDogs in 2014, but also to impress hiring officials with teams, leagues and organizations, in the future. It also assures you, upon successful completion of your internship, experienced mentors who can assist you with the advancement of your career.

This will not be your typical internship. The SwampDogs organization is committed to making our interns an integral and equal part of our operation. Considering our small staff, you will be relied upon to provide insight and to make decisions regarding all aspects of the operation. Your opinion will be solicited and your ideas will be welcomed. You will oversee a special area of responsibility that will permit you some autonomy in its operation, with guidance and support from the general manager, and will assist in group-oriented projects with your fellow interns. As an intern with the SwampDogs, you will work hard for a significant amount of hours during the summer, for very little compensation. (If money and free time are high priorities for you, it would be advisable that you consider pursuing a different career path.) Due to the importance of your role to the team, you will be expected to commit full-time throughout the 2014 season. Realistically, this type of internship is not for everyone, only those select individuals who are committed to career success in sport marketing or related fields. Please note, however, that you will not be asked to do anything that is not similarly expected of all members of the management team.

During the time you are an intern with the Fayetteville SwampDogs, you will experience first-hand all aspects of the operation of a baseball team. The practices of our organization closely resemble those of all minor league teams, and, on a smaller scale, most major league and intercollegiate sports organizations. The skills you will acquire will be easily transferable to any sports field in which you desire to work. At the end of your experience, you may feel that you worked harder in those few months than at any other time in your life. However, you will be rewarded with significant practical experience, the positive sensation of a successfully completed season and new friendships among your fellow staff members, ballpark employees and fans that will stay with you and be very beneficial to your future success.

Job Duties

General Responsibilities

All Interns will assist in the following areas:
· Promotional Nights. You will assist with implementation of promotional events at selected home games.
· Game Operations. You will assist in set up and operation for J.P. Riddle Stadium for each game night.
· Community Marketing. You will assist in grassroots marketing of the Fayetteville SwampDogs throughout the community, including: delivering pocket schedules and ticket information to area businesses, assisting with displays and information distribution at area events, supporting speaking engagements, and even performing as the team’s mascots, Fun-Go and Cookie.
· Administration Assistance. Yes, you will have to answer the phones, make copies, stuff programs with inserts, send out mailers, etc. However, with a small front office, we all have to do it, too.
· Other Operations. We have a philosophy that no one, from the general manager down to the batboys, is ever allowed to say, “That’s not my job.” There will be a variety of projects and tasks that will surface and we will all have to pitch in and get them done. These may often be jobs that a college-educated person would not expect to perform on a daily basis, but are necessary to our operation.

Group Projects

Interns will work together on a number of projects in 2014, for example:
· Group Ticket Sales. The SwampDogs offer various group packages including discounted tickets, pregame picnics, birthday parties, field-of-dreams little league promotion, etc and you will assist with the operation of this program. This sales experience will provide you with an important advantage over other full-time job seekers in the future. We are not going to just turn you loose without guidance.

Areas of Responsibilities

The following are general outlines and interns are not limited to this, but will gain experience in these areas:

Operations

Interns will assist in many aspects of stadium operations during the 2014 season. Some duties include; assisting with set up and operation of food service and catering, scheduling and supervising stadium employees, assisting with many team issues (including host families, travel, field maintenance, uniforms, etc.), assisting with game operations (including set up for sponsor displays and playground).

This part of the internship is a great opportunity to get a real understanding of how a sports facility operates. While J.P. Riddle Stadium is a smaller venue than a major league, major collegiate, or even a motorsports facility, its operation is very similar to these venues.

Promotions/Marketing 

Interns will gain experience with in-game promotions and on-field entertainment while assisting in projects that enhance the marketing of the SwampDogs. Duties of the portion of the internship include supervising on-field contests and on-field entertainment, assisting with management of in-game atmosphere, including PA announcements, music, sound effects, etc., will also oversee player and mascot appearances, coordinate camps and similar projects and will take part in community relations projects.

Promotions, marketing and community relations are very important to sports organizations as a way to create a positive market image and create a more entertaining environment to attract fans. Because of that need, this enhances the experience for someone looking for a well-rounded experience in these areas.

Merchandising/Promotions 

Interns will take part in the SwampDogs’ merchandising operation at J.P. Riddle Stadium, including all mail, phone and Internet orders. This part of the internships will be responsible for inventory, staffing, and all sales of SwampDogs’ merchandise, including; caps, T-shirts, novelties, scorecards, etc. Through this section of the industry, interns will learn to discuss sales trends, inventory, promotional ideas and other aspects of merchandising. In the area of promotions, this position will oversee all sponsored promotional events, primarily any premium giveaways.

Other Information

Start Date: Early May. We can be flexible based on school schedules, but interns should be available as soon as possible in May.

End Date: August 20, 2014

How to Apply

If you are serious about a career in the sports industry and are willing to make the commitment it takes to be successful, then send a cover letter, resume and three references (with at least one professional reference) to:

Fayetteville SwampDogs Baseball
Attn: Jeremy Aagard, General Manager
2823 Legion Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Email: jeremy@goswampdogs.com

"Seahawks' Richard Sherman Gets Hounded by Media in This Perfectly Timed Ad"

From Adweek

Video from the game

Review by Becca Gibbs in SRM 435 (section 2)

This article highlights Washington Seahawks’ cornerback Richard Sherman’s recent post-game interview with Erin Andrews influencing his brand new Beats by Dre commercial. The timing of this commercial could not have been better or worse, in some opinions. After Sherman’s final play of game against the San Francisco 49ers, he screamed into Erin Andrew’s microphone “I’m the best corner in the game. When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you’re going to get. Don’t you ever talk about me!” (Gasper, 2014). Sports journalists and bloggers alike began writing and posting about Sherman being a thug from Compton, California.

Sherman’s Beats by Dre commercial was released the day of the NFC Championship game, the same day Colin Kaepernick’s, the 49ers quarterback, aired. When the Seahawks won, Kaepernick’s commercial was pulled and only Sherman’s would be played. Sherman had the reputation of being a thug before the championship game, but his rowdy interview reinforced this reputation. His Beats by Dre commercial promotes the adaptive noise canceling headphones with the slogan “Hear what you want”. This was the perfect pitch for Sherman because he pays no attention to the trash talkers calling him a “thug”. In the promotional standpoint, it is unclear which is being advertised more, the headphones or Sherman. The interviewers’ questions during the commercial become increasingly personal until one interviewer asks “how do you feel about your reputation as a thug?”. Although it was a relevant question, and it reflected his post-game interview, I believe that the questions were too personal and focused too much on Sherman and not enough on the product. Had Sherman been calmer during his interview with Erin Andrews, the commercial would not have gotten the attention that it has received.

Although many reporters claim that the release of this commercial was perfectly timed with Sherman’s NFC Championship game interview, I believe that the cornerback’s publicity outshined the Beats by Dre headphones. The commercial stars Sherman and only features the headphones. When promoting a new product, it is extremely important to keep the focus on whatever it is you are selling. I think Beats by Dre chose an appropriate athlete for the product, but Sherman stole the spotlight of the commercial after his interview. Although the commercial is good publicity for the Seahawks’ player, it does not promote the headphones enough.

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Review by Amy Spring in SRM 435 (section 2)

The article in Adweek about Richard Sherman promoting Beats by Dre was a perfectly timed ad and explains why. It promoted who Richard Sherman is, who he isn’t, and the headphones that he and millions of others use. A game between two of the toughest teams, the two teams that most thought would be the final two in the Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks was held on January 19th. That same day an ad for Beats was released and again aired the next morning on SportsCenter.

Sherman had drawn national attention for his post-game interview with Erin Andrews. He quickly became a highly talked about, controversial, player. He has had fines for trash talking on the field and after the game was played. The ironic thing about the interview and the issues people have with Sherman is one of the most intelligent and philanthropic young players in the NFL. He earned a 4.2 GPA in high school and a communication degree from Stanford University.

Although the interview was in the moment and seems to be genuinely how Sherman felt after the big play, he created a lot of hate and talk about himself. The main focus was on the interview and not on the big athletic play at the end, or how close the game was. Sherman was quoted saying, “If I’m going to get a reputation, I might as well own my reputation.” He is aware he is being talked about but is staying focused on the game and not letting the negative attention get to him.

The article discusses that the intensity of the commercial is not as strong as others in the past; however it is relevant to what Sherman has been dealing with throughout the season. The media is trying to pin him as a thug. This was all great publicity timing for Beats and Sherman teaming up since publicity is free and they were already using him in the commercial to promote the Beats.

This Sunday the Super Bowl will be played at 6:30 pm between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos; anticipation for the result and to see how the “greatest cornerback in the game” performs, both on and off the field.

"The Connected Fan"

From Adweek

Review by Ryan Dixon in SRM 435 (section 1)

“Competing with the couch”, as this article talks mostly about connecting with the fans through social media and ways to get fans attention while at the game there are still some people out there that would rather enjoy watching a game “on the couch.” Stadiums and ballparks are thinking of more creative ways to get the fans engaged not just into the game but into what’s going on around the game. Places like the seats, at the concession lines, or even on the big screen scoreboard. While some stadiums are more technologically advanced than others, they are still trying to rebuild and revamp to get the game day experience more live and exciting.

The way this article ties into this course is that without all the new technology that is being added to the stadiums people wont want to come and watch games in person anymore. They will rather sit at home and be able to get the same experience that they would at the games. That’s why companies are coming together and thinking of ways to get fans to come to the games. With adding new technology to stadiums fans will see that and know they are getting a better experience than they would on their couch. Without fans coming to view the games in person you wont have sales and marketing promotions for other companies and even for your stadium itself. Fans want that wired environment; have free WiFi so their videos or pictures upload quicker onto their social medias. During games you have trivia presented by a certain company that does promotions for the team. While a game is on time out you may have a chance to get and upgrade seat exchange by answering the trivia question right. Its things like this that make fan want to come to the games in person. I feel bad for someone who has never been to an actual stadium to watch a game in person. I know many people say they would rather watch games on a HD TV but I don’t know what is more HD than our own eyes and experiencing everything first hand.

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Review by Cody Fazenbaker in SRM 435 (section 1)

With the emergence of advanced technology, the viewing experience of sporting events is changing drastically. Ten years ago, the action of the game was what drove fans to come watch. Now, with the creation of smartphones and Wi-Fi, it is all about the fan experience. Fans are not as motivated to attend sporting events live as they were years ago because of the convenience of watching multiple games from several angles from the comfort of their own home. Sports organizations are “competing with the couch” and fighting to give fans an irreplaceable fan experience in order to keep fans coming back.

Studies have shown that more than half of sports fans would rather watch a game from their own home than attend the game live. The Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, is one example of a venue that is providing that at-home experience. The addition of Wi-Fi, 4G LTE coverage, and the ability to order food from your own seats are just some of the many amenities that give fans a high-tech experience. Because the value of being at the game does not mean as much as it did years ago, sports organizations and marketers must find ways to appeal to our digital generation. Dallas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, installed an HD center-hung scoreboard that measures 72 feet by 160 feet. The Miami Marlins encourage fans to tweet difference team references before and during the game in order to get their tweets up on the scoreboard. Kansas City’s MLS soccer team asks fans to participate in games on their smartphones with incentives being things such as seat upgrades. The ultimate goal of these organizations now is to have fans arrive to the game earlier, stay longer, and spend more. Knowing what your fans want is more important than ever.

This article is relevant to our marketing and advertising class because those two things are more important than ever in the sports business world. In order to keep fans coming back to attend games live rather than have them watch from home, sport marketers and advertisers must be more creative than ever. It is all about connecting with the fan and personalizing their experience.

"Are you more likely to buy athlete-endorsed food products?"

From Philly.com

Review by Nick Kusko in KIN 501

The article explored the significant influence celebrity athletes have on their audience, with a specific focus on the promotion of “junk food.” It was discussed that the most susceptible population were adolescents, which could be a contributing factor to childhood obesity and Type-II Diabetes. As a conclusion, it was noted that a shift should be made in having these same influential athletes promoting healthier and more nutritious options to today’s youth.

There were two main conclusions that resulted from the article. The first of which was that professional athletes would always have a strong influence over audiences. The majority of athletes are positive role models, and in return, followers (especially youth) will be drawn to products and services they represent. The article provided a historic example of Babe Ruth and Ted Williams promoting cigarettes in the 20th century (Dahlsgaard, 2013). Today’s athletes could obviously not promote tobacco products in today’s society, but it is a similar concept of making universally less desirable products seem acceptable or “cool.” Athletes have historically been spokesmen (or spokeswomen) for products, and this will most likely never change.

The second main conclusion, which was related to the first one, was that professional athletes’ have a “brainwashing” effect. They have the ability to make any object or food seem needed, because they endorse it in an advertisement. As the article suggested, would a child be tempted to eat an Oreo just because Peyton Manning tells them to? Unfortunately, the answer for most would be yes. As the article implied, this undeniable power should be harnessed and used to portray a positive message of healthier eating and exercise in attempt to combat childhood (and adulthood) obesity.

This article is relevant to the course as celebrity endorsements are a large component of sports marketing. These advertisements are heavily used in the media and strategically placed for specific audiences. The marketing industry would be a completely different world if professional athletes had no role in the promotion of the most popular brands, products and foods. Some would even suggest that such a concept is unfathomable in today’s multimedia domain.

"How Marketers Can Bring Their A-Game to the Super Bowl"

From Ad Age

Review by Graham Sharples in SRM 435 (section 1)

As the Super bowl is fast approaching, many fans look forward to the commercials just as much as the big game. On January 22, 2014, Ad Age, wrote a special report on the super bowl and how revealing ads throughout the duration of the super bowl can either make or break marketers careers. The article noted that in order to be successful on the “big day,” marketers should be prepared to spend on average $6 million to $10 million but also to start focusing on their advertisement at least eight months in advance. The article focuses a lot on the planning for the one-day debut rather than just the advertisement itself. It was also stated in the article that “marketers now plan when and how they announce they bought a super bowl spot” and how that has become a part of a mini-marketing plan because of all the media interest surrounding it (McCarthy, 2014).

Super bowl Sunday has grown to be one of the most watched broadcasts and sporting events in the United States. Companies are quick to take advantage of the built-in audience to showcase their products and innovative ad campaigns. It is an unprecedented opportunity and a huge moment in sports and advertising.

This article relates to this course because the course relies heavily on the principles of promotions and marketing in the sports industry. The article analyzes the key to being a successful advertiser during a big event such as the super bowl. The class deals a lot with promotions and advertising and this is exactly what the article described. This article also recognizes the importance of preparation and marketing strategies in order to be profitable.

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Review by Matt Williams in SRM 435 (section 1)

My article review will be on advertisements and marketing on the Superbowl ads. This opportunity for companies around the world is something they spend months and millions of dollars on. And this marketing prime time only comes around once a year therefore creates high stakes, money and time invested in these precious ad times. If your company is not willing to spend 6-10 million dollars Adam Komack chief client officer at Mediacom does not recommend you make this steep commitment just for a 30 second airtime. The Superbowl has become much more than a football game in our country it is practically a national holiday millions of people around the world watch the game football fan or not. The Super Bowl is the only time a year when marketers are guaranteed millions of people will be watching. Social media has impacted the marketing as well people sent out 26.1 million tweets during the game. This is exactly the attention that these companies want to generate consumers talking about their commercials and products. The after shock that these 30-60 seconds create is the key not just owning that add spot but having people talk about your add next week at work. Then the companies should offer some sort of retail event following the ad “to capitalize on all the noise the brand has made” Komack says. This opportunity to capture millions of peoples only comes once a year. This is why companies spend millions of dollars and fight for the most talked about ad for a reason. It works the most prosperous companies in the world shuffle ads out on this day. Marketers around the world take note on the messages and tactics made to try and make the best ad of year. This isn't only the National Football Leagues championship I believe this is also the title match for the marketing world. On one of the biggest stages of world a mega event when is their better time to take advantage of this marketing time.

"America's Largest Spectator Sport Is Finally Embracing Digital"

From Adweek

Video 1
Video 2

Review by Kelsey Holmes in KIN 501

In 2013, NASCAR re-gained its digital rights from Turner Sports allowing them to control their own website, NASCAR.com and better integrate their digital media presence with social media. Senior Marketing Partner, Andrew Campagnone admitted, “We were behind in the technology space.” While other professional leagues, such as the NBA and NFL, were using technology and social media to take fan interaction to a whole new level NASCAR was falling behind.

In 2013, NASCAR, America’s largest Spectator Sport, began working to increase their digital media presence. 5 weeks after their new campaign launch, Nascar added 25,000 Facebook fans, 20,000 Twitter followers, 46,00 YouTube subscribers, and 1000 Instagram followers. As of January 27th, 2014 those numbers were up to a total of 583,00 Facebook fans, 1.33M Twitter followers, 52,000 YouTube subscribers, and 94,000 Instagram followers. Their current marketing strategy includes; pulling together the Nascar brand, teams drivers, fans, and sponsors to cheer on their favorite cars and drivers through the use of the hash tag #Whatdriversneed across all of their social sites. The current campaign focuses on the use of Twitter and Instagram while Nascar.com, Facebook, TV, radio, and print playing supporting roles. The new campaign seems to be helping NASCAR reach their fans as they have seen increase on all of their digital media platforms. Along with the new campaign came the innovative Fan and Media Engagement center. This center allows NASCAR professionals to stay up to date on trends and happenings on social media. Also, the center analyzes data and then adapts to better serve the fans.

While some leagues steer their athletes away from social media in fear that it will damage their brand, NASCAR is doing quite the opposite. NASCAR has very lose rules on social media and race day tweeting, and that helps to give them a competitive advantage over other sports that monitor their athletes so heavily. NASCAR vice president Steve O’donell says “it’s one of the cool things about our sport. We feel like social media gives us that direct access to some of race fans”. The more interaction fans have the more interested they become, and the bigger the interest the more likely they are to come to a race, which is what NASCAR ultimately wants. NASCAR already has a cult following and social media allows their fans to engage even more. NASCAR themselves have said they want to bring fans as close to the driver seat as possible, which is done through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

A survey of 1,500 adults in October 2012 found that 54% of avid fans said they visit social media sites regularly for NASCAR content and that percentage jumps to 78% for 18-34 year old fans. This is great for building your brand when you can reach most of your fans through digital media. With social media you can reach new fans and gain a bigger audience especially children and college age consumers where NASCAR fans are most lacking. The push in digital media can help build the star power of your drivers by letting fans interact with them intimately and more often. Most NASCAR tracks are now installing wifi, to improve the racetrack experience, allowing fans to tweet or post about their day at the track. By engaging fans on a regular basis NASCAR digital media push is helping to build the NASCAR brand for today and the future.



As a sports marketing professional it is important to realize that social media, when used properly, is a great tool and can always be used to your advantage. Digital media plays an integral part in building your brand in today’s society. Staying up on recent trends allows the company to remain relevant at all times. Knowing how to actively engage fans with the company will definitely pay off in the long run.

Breaches in sport media ethics

From iMediaEthics 1, 2, 3, and Deborah Jackson's Ethics in Sport Media course website

Review by Tommy LaRose in SRM 435

During my presentation on the topic of ethics in sports media, I discussed a code of ethics set forth by the Society of Professional Journalists. The four main components of the code are as follows: seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable. While I believe these are important rules for all journalists to try to live by, things are not always so cut and dry in a field where the bottom line is often who gets the story first.

The main goal of the media is to appeal to the broadest audience possible. Of course the media also aims to inform the public about current events and issues, but sometimes they are willing to take shortcuts to get a jump on a story that will generate big headlines. The question is, at what point does a journalist’s or reporter’s actions cross the line from doing their job to acting unethically? This is not a question that is easily answered. Often times, journalists have to connect the dots to get a story they can publish. While the foundation usually is, or at least should be, based upon fact, some inferences are normally necessary to get a full story. For example, Selena Roberts recently wrote an article claiming that Lolo Jones was only awarded a spot on the US Olympic Bobsled team due to her star nature and sex appeal. She went so far as to say Jones is the ratings replacement for injured ski queen Lindsey Vonn. While this is clearly an opinion on the part of Roberts (she has no affiliation with the US Bobsled Federation), I still am not quite sure if it is fair of her to publish something potentially damaging to Jones. However, without Roberts’ opinion on the matter, there would be no story to be heard. So on the one hand, opinion is somewhat necessary, but it is not always fair. I believe it is okay to publish stories based heavily on conjecture, but people should not give these stories as much credence. The problem with that is people always want a story, and the media understands that controversy sells, so they will publish whatever story they can, no matter how loosely based on fact it is. The bottom line in my opinion is intention: if a journalist intends to inform factually and not stir controversy, then the job is being done correctly.

The article on the code of ethics in sports media clearly relates to this class in many ways. It relates to leadership, publishing, and certainly public relations. Content providers strive to be leaders in the society we live in, and understanding the ethical way to go about providing content is certainly helpful.

"Peyton Manning's 'Omaha! Omaha!' Snap Count Creates Most Random Tourism Marketing Ever"

From Adweek

Review by Candynce Boney in KIN 501
During the San Diego vs. Denver NFL playoff game, quarterback Peyton Manning yelled out the play “Omaha Omaha” numerous times during the game before the ball was snapped back to him. During the game “Omaha” became a trending topic on twitter, with the tourism marketers of Omaha Nebraska tweeting “we certainly appreciate all the love from Peyton Manning #Omaha”. Marketing for tourism weren’t the only ones which saw the opportunity with Peyton’s “Omaha” play, “Omaha Steaks” also saw this as an opportunity to promote their restaurants name. One buffet in particular Omaha’s Warren Buffet is hoping for a promotional commercial from Peyton once the season comes to an end.

This is great marketing not only for Peyton Manning but the Bronco franchise as an entity. With Nebraska not having a home NFL team, marketers for the Broncos can use this as an opportunity to increase their fan base. Slowly starting with Peyton doing commercials in different businesses in Omaha, as the team and corporation begin to gain recognition in that part of the country they can begin to incorporate different athletes in their press. As sports marketers we can start to see how much social media can improve marketing abilities. With Twitter and Instagram being so popular in this day and age, sports marketers can use these tools to reach crowds all across the country, possibly other countries depending on the sport(s).

As a recent graduate with aspirations of going into sports marketing, whether it is for a professional team or a college team, it is important to stay up to date with the evolution of technology. Many times the most efficient way to reach a crowd is through social media or the Internet. A sports marketer should be able to follow the trending topics on twitter and decide whether they can relate that topic back to their company in a positive way, this will allow you to stay up to date with the constantly changing fads.

Realistically speaking, social media isn’t always the best route to take. There is also a possibility of social media hurting your company or organization more than it could help. For instance Stephanie Rice, an Olympic swimmer was criticized for a picture she posted on Instagram in a swimsuit. Which is pretty interesting because her career revolves around wearing a swimsuit. As a sport’s marketer it is important to understand the vision of your organization, doing something in the public eye that does not correspond with your company or organizations mission can be detrimental to a reputation. Therefore it is important to know how to reconcile any social issues that may arise with any of your athletes at any time during the year.

"Sochi Winter Olympics: Video threat emerges amid security concerns"

From CNN.com

Review by Calvin Parson, Jr. in SRM 435 (section 2)

The Winter Olympic games have been a staple in World History for over 90 years. Since 1924 athletes from around the World have gathered in one city to compete against each other in events such as skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, and curling. This year, Russia has the privilege of hosting the games for the first time in history in Sochi.

As the largest resort city in Russia, known for its resorts and sports facilities, Sochi is considered an obvious choice to host a sporting event of this magnitude. However, recent terror threats against the city, as well as civil unrest between Muslim extremist groups in the North Caucasus region of the country has provided much concern for many nations around the country who are participating in the games.

On January 20, 2014 CNN reported that a video had been posted on a Jihadi forum, and in that video, threats were being made against Sochi and specifically about a planned attack during the Olympic games. The two terrorists in the video were later identified as the suicide bombers who were responsible for attacks in Volgograd, Russia in December. The article went on to promise that regardless of the unrest in the Northern part of the country and the many attacks that have happened in Russia since Sochi was announced as the host city, that the games would be safe and that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his staff were doing everything in their power to ensure and promote safety during the games.

Unlike previous Olympic games, much of the focus this year has been taken off of the events and the athletes and placed on the threats themselves. Each day, new developments are being released regarding the attacks and what the country plans to do to keep participants and tourists safe. There is no positive “hype” surrounding these games and the nostalgia that usually comes along with the Olympics is nowhere to be found. Many people are also lashing out about Russia’s views on gay rights and how all partners of the Olympics are supporting the “Homophobic Games.”

The news surrounding the threats on the games is having an affect on many aspects of the games including the promotional elements (or lack thereof.) NBC, who is broadcasting all Olympic games through 2020, has done their due diligence to promote the athletes of the games with mini videos and commercials. However, other sponsors such as McDonalds, Samsung, Coca-Cola, and Visa have been ridiculed on social media for their partnerships with the Olympics. Ticket availability to events have also been cut in half compared to previous years games in hopes to aid security efforts. Travel has also been affected, as tourists are not allowed to fly directly into the city and hotels have been put on high security alert.

It is apparent that the threats are having a direct impact on the games and how they are being marketed and promoted in the media. Regardless if an attack occurs or not, the terror group in charge has instilled fear in the hearts of sports lovers around the world.

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Review by Caroline Snedgear in SRM 435 (section 2)

This article addresses the recent threats specifically a video that has surfaced threatening the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia. In the video two young men known to be involved in the suicide bombing attacks a month ago, state “we’ve prepared a present for you and all tourists who’ll come over.” These recent threats and video being released has made the public and government very concerned about the safety and security needed. Even U.S lawmakers state the games aren’t safe and wouldn’t want their families attending. This overall portrays a negative image for people traveling or thinking about attending the games. There has also been a lack of communication between the Russian and U.S. government

These threats bring up many concerns from a marketing and sales standpoint. People have already begun to boycott and this can overall affect the tickets and merchandise sales. If there is such controversy surrounding the games there is less of a chance people will want to support the games by attending this year. The city of Sochi and the Olympics in general have to make sure that they are making people aware of security and precautionary measures being put in place from a marketing standpoint for current and future concerns. With the games coming up very soon the committee will have to work very hard and make last attempts of creating a positive and safe image for the city of Sochi. The cost of the games has also risen to $45 billion where the initial budget was $12 billion due to claims that corruption was one of theses factors for pushing up the costs. Such high costs can also affect the total revenues. There has also been concern with a law that was passed outlawing “gay propaganda” where it makes it illegal to tell children about gay equality. Western leaders who have called it “archaic and discriminatory” have generally criticized this new legislation. Which has also portrayed a negative image upon the games and Russia.

"IPC Says Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games Set To Receive Record Winter Broadcast Coverage"

From Bloomberg, PBS, and SportsBusiness Daily

Review by Ryan Biever in SRM 334
Olympic season after Olympic season, the Paralympics keep gaining air time in the United States and around the world. Even though the London Paralympics in 2012 was considered "The Best Paralympics Ever", the United States only aired five hours of coverage which consisted of highlights and a wrap up a week after the events ended. Other countries such as Britain and Australia had full coverage of the events and even shows showing the different stages of some disabilities. (Sherman, 2012) Britain has also gone to lengths of showing the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in London to show a split between the Olympics and Paralympics for the first time in history. (Stewart-Robertson, 2012) People need to be more aware and help spread the word, so the hard working athletes get the credit that they deserve and become known as a top athlete like they already are.

All three articles that were used in writing this paper relayed the same information but from different perspectives. The article from Sports Business Journal simply states that each upcoming Paralympics is set to break the previous viewing record and in order to continue to do so, networks such as NBC needs to recognize the true potential and power of the Paralympics. The Telegraph, which is a UK newspaper wrote about how they fully covered the Paralympics to their best ability while the U.S. only aired five hours, and out of those five hours, zero were live events. Some disability groups even condemned NBC due to the poor coverage. Chief executive of the disabilities council in UK was disgusted by NBC's decision saying, “For NBC to take such a decision is really, really appalling. It’s a very disappointing decision because as one of the foremost American networks they should want to celebrate these true examples of amazing sportsmanship.” (Sherman, 2012) Finally, the article from PBS just reiterated what both of the previous articles stated but also showed the comparison of the two networks approach to the event. Channel 4 of Britain showed commercials, advertisements and etc., while the U.S. exerted little to no effort to give the Paralympics any hype which is appalling.

Each Paralympics following the previous come bearing with record breaking numbers for viewers and publicity, so why won't NBC take on more than six hours of air time? There are some athletes with disabilities that are far superior in their fields than Olympic athletes, but none of their names leave anyone's lips nor does anyone acknowledge who they are. This is a big problem speaking from a media standpoint due to the issue that news and information is rarely spread and if so, it is scarce and minimally covered. If more networks were to pick up broadcasting rights for the Paralympics, it'll broaden their spectators horizon, increase revenue. attract new audience members, and offer another outlet for sports which in turn could introduce a whole new world of sport that people might find intriguing. The Broadcasting stations are failing to communicate to the audience which in correlation, the Paralympics aren't receiving the full number of fans that they actually have. Being that the Paralympics are rapidly growing, more air time is required which NBC has just now realized according to Sports Business Journal (SBC). SBC stated, "The 2012 London Summer Paralympics attracted a cumulative TV audience of 3.8 billion in more than 115 countries. The IPC now expects to beat the record viewing figures for the Winter Games..." (journal, 2013) Even though the issue has been recognized, they still only booked fifty hours of coverage which is an improvement, but not as much as what was anticipated.

The sports world continues to widen as more and more sports are introduced, it's our job and the medias job to help communicate to others to broaden their spectrum of sports and so the Paralympics can meet their full potential publicity wise.

"BBC's Sochi Ad Will Make You Never Want to Leave the House, Much Less Compete in the Olympics"

From Adweek

Review by Alyssa Hough in SRM 435 (section 2)

There is a commercial that BBC came out with for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The commercial is getting a lot of attention because it is unlike any other Olympic commercial made. It does not have the exciting music playing in the background with pictures of past Olympians celebrating their victory. Instead, it is seen as a much darker, epic commercial with a more intense demeanor to it. The commercial is causing a controversy over whether or not the new approach taken by BBC in producing this commercial was a good decision. Even though the commercial is getting mixed reviews the author of the article praises BBC for trying something new and branching out. The article talks about how you could not go wrong incorporating more about the athletes and events, but the challenges illustrated in the commercial that come with the Winter Olympics evokes interest.

I think from a sport marketing aspect it was a good risk to take because it catches the average viewer off guard, and draws in their interest to something new. It also emphasized how intense the Winter Olympics can be, and all the elements the athletes must face to achieve their dreams. I like how a different approach was taken, and the fact that the commercial is from natures point of view was very cleaver. Most Olympic commercials are inspiring in a different way because they have victorious music playing, and images of the Olympians winning their sport. Although, I still think this commercial by BBC is inspiring because it makes you look at what the athletes have to face to become triumphant, and the new approach was refreshing.

This article relates to our class because its focus is on a marketing commercial for the upcoming Winter Olympics. It shows that in marketing you are constantly wanting to find new ways to present something to the public in a way that will grasp their interest. I think BBC Sports did a great job in doing so because the commercial grabs your attention and gets you thinking. The commercial personally made me even more excited for the Winter Olympics to start. To me it felt like a movie trailer was playing for a movie that I could not wait to come to theaters. Now I am excited to see how the Winter Olympics will play out.

Overall, I think it was well done and a refreshing new way to market the Winter Olympics. It shows that in marketing you cannot be afraid to branch out and try something new. You want to make sure you are not confined to a box of ideas. I think the commercial is very inspiring, and will get the public pumped up for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia this year. There is a lot of anticipation brought by the commercial that makes you want to know how the Olympics are going to go and what the results will be. I think it was a well done invigorating marketing commercial for the Winter Olympics.

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Review by Megan Verpent in SRM 435 (section 2)

In the United States, broadcasting companies and sponsors such as NBC, market the Olympics as must-see, gripping television. Other times, NBC will market the games as feel-good stories, by giving fans an incite to the lives of athletes. Either way, commercials generally have an upbeat tone and feature video clips of athletes in competition. However, around the world, not all broadcasting companies portray the Olympics Games in the same manner. In his article, David Gianatasio discusses the way, which BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is marketing the Olympic Games based on their newest television commercial. He writes about how BBC is promoting the upcoming games in Sochi, Russia as a suspenseful, movie-like scenario rather than a competitive sporting event. Overall, he applauded the controversial commercial, although he mentioned that some critics did not.

BBC decided to market the 2014 Sochi winter Olympics in a different fashion than many fans are familiar with. Through the article, “BBC's Sochi Ad Will Make You Never Want to Leave the House, Much Less Compete in the Olympics Hell freezes over,” David Gianatasio does a good job in discussing how BBC is promoting the games. Rather than marketing the Olympics as just another sporting event, BBC has decided to market the games as an exciting, suspenseful full feature movie, as the commercial acts as the promotional trailer meant to peak fans’ interest. The advertisement contains narration by Charles Dance, who stars in the popular television series, Game of Thrones. By doing this, BBC is able to market the Olympics as a pop-culture like event. BBC also promotes the Olympics through the harsh nature that athletes have to endure. Suspense and nature are the focal points of the Olympics that BBC has promoted through this commercial; the athletes are the supporting cast members.

Marketing is a strategy to promote a product and attract more fans; in the this article and featured commercial, in this article, the Olympic Games are the product being marketed to fans. With the Sochi games only weeks away, we in America are usually only exposed to the Olympics through the way which NBC markets them to us. This article is relevant because it examines how the Olympics can be marketed and promoted in other ways. It is beneficial to be exposed to more than one way of marketing because they can be more effective to certain audiences.

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Review by Alexandra Sullivan in SRM 435 (section 2)

On Wednesday January 15th Adweek posted an article written by David Gianatasio on the controversial ad BBC released for its coverage on the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. This ad is not traditional, meaning people usually expect commercials for the Olympics to be feel good and inspirational. This ad takes a different approach on the winter games and focuses more on the athletes conquering nature rather than the competition between one another. It over exaggerates the cold, snowy weather portraying the type of environment the athletes have to overcome to be successful in such dangerous conditions. The voiceover in the trailer is dark and powerful, which sets the dramatic tone of the commercial. The ad resembles a movie trailer creating suspense and leaving you wondering what will happen next. Some people did not like this ad because it made them feel numb and they wanted to see something more traditional that is motivational and positive. Other people like the mystery created in the ad and thought it conveyed the unique atmosphere of the Winter Olympics.

I believe this article shows that BBC was willing to take chances and try something new in promoting their coverage for the Winter Olympics. When promoting such a big sporting event such as the Olympics I believe that the ads should go hand in hand with the nature of the event. The Olympics is one of the biggest stages for athletes to compete in, therefore the advertising for the Olympics should also be memorable. BBC sparked conversation and controversy with this ad. They got people’s attention and are getting more publicity because of it. This ad is eccentric, which can be a good thing in sports marketing because it gets people talking and stayed tuned for more. The graphics and the layout of the commercial are intriguing leaving people wanting more and getting them excited for the games.

This article is relevant to Sport Marketing and Sales because it is about promoting, advertising, and gaining publicity, which are three aspects of sport promotion and sales. BBC spent a lot of money creating this ad to gain awareness and to start getting people talking about the upcoming games. The ad is informing people that the Winter Olympics are back and when the games start. I believe this was a successful marketing strategy for BBC to create this type of ad because it does an exceptional job building up the story line for the winter games. After watching this ad I was excited for the Olympics to be back and I cannot wait to see top ranked athletes compete against one another in such dangerous weather circumstances.

"With Lindsey Vonn Out, Marketers Must Rethink Sochi Ad Strategies"

From Advertising Age

Review by Courtney Wright in SRM 435 (section 1)

In this article, the author reveals NBC’s plans on airing new 2014 Olympic ads with the recent news of Lindsey Vonn stepping out of the Olympic games due to her recent knee injury. While Vonn was originally going to be showcased in NBC’s major ads, they now have to look at other star US athletes such as Shaun White and Julia Mancuso. Although she will not be competing in the games, Lindsey’s sponsors, such as Under Armour and Oakley, are still very interested in keeping her in their ad campaigns. They are aware that she is one of the most notable female athletes and are confident that she will overcome this injury and continue to compete in highly competitive competitions.

I think it is the right move for NBC to take Vonn out of their Olympic advertisements simply because she will not be competing in the games and there is no sense in promoting her in that light. With that being said, she will most likely still be present at the games to cheer on her teammates and competitors, and will still be able to market herself and her sponsors. From a sport marketing standpoint, it is a smart move by her sponsors to be supportive and continue the relationship they have with Vonn. Her injury is only temporary and she will hopefully be back competing very soon. Even with her injury, Vonn is still an iconic figure in the sporting industry and the spotlight will continue to be on her despite her absence in the games.

This article is relevant to this course because marketers constantly have to change the way to portray and advertise people and events based on current situations. Lindsey Vonn would have been one of the US highlights in the 2014 Olympic games, but now NBC and her sponsors have to rethink who/what to show. The games are just a few weeks away and advertisers still have to edit their commercials that are being shown nationwide.

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Review by Monica Paolicelli in SRM 435 (section 1)

As the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are fast approaching, one familiar face will be missing from the USA downhill skiing team. Lindsey Vonn, the most successful and well-known American skier in history, has withdrawn from the games to have her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repaired after her horrific crash last February. NBC producers have had to revise all of the Sochi commercials in order to showcase the USA athletes that will be competing in the games. The network plans to focus their attention on other U.S. Olympic stars, such as Shaun White, Julia Mancuso, Bode Miller, and Ashley Wagner to gain viewer attention. Lindsey Vonn’s “athletic genes, telegenic good-looks, and high-profile romance with Tiger Woods” guarantees good television ratings and great promotion abilities for her sponsors. Proctor & Gamble, Under Armour, Oakley, Red Bull, Rolex, and Head are a few of Lindsey’s sponsors who will have to change their marketing campaign for the upcoming Olympics. All of Lindsey’s sponsors are planning on renewing their contracts with her, preparing to feature her in future campaigns, and wishing her a speedy recovery. Lindsey will still be present in Sochi to cheer on her fellow U.S. athletes as well as host events. This way she will still be guaranteed visibility even when she is not competing.

Lindsey Vonn’s reputation as a great competitor, recognized spokesperson, and overall role model for young girls, allows her sponsors to trust her actions and behavior as someone who is representing their brand in a positive manner. A critical analysis from the marketing standpoint includes this idea that a well-rounded, talented, good-looking, and principled athlete will almost never be dropped from her sponsors because of an injury. Lindsey’s sponsors respect her and understand that injuries are part of the process. Proctor & Gamble states how honored they are to have Lindsey as part of their team. Marketers need to always make sure their company goals align with their athletes’ goals. Even though Lindsey is not competing, she is still driving the brands of her sponsors by being one of the most famous U.S Olympic athletes. This article review proves very relevant to this course because the average U.S. viewer does not usually follow the World Cup skiing for example, so name recognition is the key to drawing viewers. Also, if a star athlete has a comeback-story it draws even more attention and ratings. Lindsey’s current story of withdrawing is earning her media and marketing attention that she would have received during the games. NBC will have to build their next star and create a new fan favorite for the 2014 Sochi Olympic games starting in February.

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Review by Samantha Mitchell in SRM 435 (section 1)

Down hill skier Lindsey Vonn recently announced that she would be missing the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics due to a knee injury she obtained in the 2013 World Championships. NBC had planned to make her the face of their marketing campaign beside Shaun White because of her looks, her athletic ability, and her high profile relationship with Tiger Woods. However, now that she is no longer competing in the Sochi Olympics, NBC is focusing more on other athletes such as Julia Mancuso and Shaun White.

Not only has NBC lost their face of the winter Olympics, so have Lindsey’s sponsors. Her sponsors include: Procter & Gamble, Under Armour, Oakley, Red Bull, Rolex, and Head. Even though her sponsors have lost their star athlete, they have all been very understanding and supportive of her. Under Armour does not plan to change anything on the advertisement side. In fact they have made Lindsey Vonn the face of their cold weather gear, “Infared”. P&G are also continuing their support of her and are keeping her as the face of their campaign, “Thank you, Mom”. Her deal with Oakley expires at the end of the season but Oakley is looking to renew her contract with them. All of her sponsors are wishing her the best of luck in her recovery and are looking forward to her return.

I think NBC was right to no longer focus on her and to focus on other athletes because she is not competing and it would be false advertisement to put her at the center of their focus. NBC understands that injuries occur and that is the nature of sports. They have to be flexible and that is exactly what NBC is doing. I think it is great that Lindsey Vonn’s sponsors are all supporting her and continuing their contracts with her even though she is not competing. Especially, those that are still using her as the face to their marketing and advertising campaigns. It is good to see that sponsors can be very understanding and supportive.

This is relevant to the coarse because this class is all about sports marketing and sales. We are going to be learning about sponsorships, advertising, how to market people in the sports industry, and so much more. This situation is very likely in sports and it just goes to show us how versatile and prepared we have to be in any situation.

"Phillies get $2.5 billion, equity stake in Comcast SportsNet"

From Philly.com

Review by Taylor Longacre in SRM 334

In today’s fast pace society sports dominate our conversations, our living rooms, and our restaurants, just to name a few. Our worlds revolve around the sport industry and we are significantly impacted everyday whether we know it or not. Recently the Philadelphia Phillies, a major league baseball team, signed a lucrative television deal. In the article Phillies get $2.5 billion, equity stake in Comcast SportsNet written by Matt Gelb and Bob Fernandez, many intriguing points are conveyed. According to Gelb and Fernandez from the Inquirer, the Phillies will have twenty-five percent ownership of the network, it is a twenty-five year contract, and advertising from broadcasts will be split in some manner. (Philly.Com) Also the Comcast Network will not be limited on how many Phillies games they will be allowed to televise; which is what makes this deal so interesting to me. Being from Philadelphia I grew up watching the Philadelphia Flyers and Sixers play on Comcast but not as much of the Phillies; Comcast is now televising three out of four sports teams in the area.

This article relates to media and communication because as stated by Gelb and Fernandez, “Media companies are furiously locking up the rights to live sporting events because the future of TV is unclear. There is still a premium for advertisers to target live televised sports, and the value is manifesting in these contracts.” (Philly.com) Comcast is one of the main media outlets for the sports in the area which gives them tremendous power over their competition. If Dish Network and DirecTV want to compete with Comcast they have to start carrying the Comcast Network for their customers to be able to view their favorite sports teams. This decision impacts rival media outlets on so many levels. Now if a Phillies fan wants to watch their team and they do not have Comcast it will be harder for them and cost more money. Fortunately in this mass media world we live in games can be streamed online but as a viewer you are losing clarity and convenience.

The Phillies television deal with Comcast emphasizes a couple points that were made in class. Hyper Localism in particular is critical in looking at this deal. Comcast airs all sports in the Philadelphia area and is really putting pressure on other media sources. Also after this deal went through, Comcast fired the two broadcasters for the team and are on the verge of replacing them. In conclusion, Sports + Media = Money. In this case the Phillies and Comcast are working together to better serve each sides interests.