09.10.2009 – At the start of the 2009 NFL season, social media is playing an ever increasing role in how the NFL, players and fans communicate. While the NFL's gameday policy prohibits some uses by players and coaches during specific times, fans continue to rally through these new media channels.
From fan authored blogs to NFL "tweet-ups" and a myriad of mobile and social networking site applications - sharing "fandom" outside the stadium has become a way of life.
In a recent survey of NFL fans, Media Frenzy Communications found that while 65 percent of respondents had been lifetime fans of their favorite NFL team, nearly 70 percent had rarely or never attended a home game. This further supports the need for NFL teams to reach out to loyal fans through as many channels as possible.
The survey also showed 60 percent of respondents did not know whether their favorite team had an official Facebook page and 60 percent did not know if their team had official representatives on twitter. Yet a search on Facebook showed 166 results for NFL pages and hundreds more for individual team pages.
Respondents also said they looked to their favorite team's official website for news and information (71%) with their local newspaper - both print and online - being their next source (69%). Finally, 51.5 percent of respondents said NFL.com was a trusted source of information about their favorite teams.
However, 35 percent of respondents noted they visit their teams official websites just 1-3 times per week with 54 percent saying they read local newspapers (print and online) as well as blogs (31%) about their favorite teams daily.
In other words, there is opportunity for both the NFL and the individual team organizations to reach a broader fan base through a more organized and official use of social media. Reaching out to sports bloggers and providing information through twitter and other social networking sites could boost fan loyalty and dispel false information.
Using new media channels is the tailgate of the 21st century, linking fans not just nationwide, but internationally.
For more information, please contact Media Frenzy Communications at 646.942.4255 or by emailing lahne@mediafrenzycommunications.com.
METHODOLOGY
A random survey using twitter, Facebook and other social media networking sites resulted in 223 responses. Demographics of respondents as well as full survey data will be provided upon request.
