Sports Fans Speak Out

What are sports fans looking for these days?

Affordable tickets, exclusive access and, when they watch a game on TV, a little Twitter to keep them company.

A group of the hardcore, passionate fans sat on a panel to end Day 1 of the Sports Marketing Symposium to talk about what they love and hate about sports with a group of league and team executives. Among the fans’ observations:

-- The No. 1 drawback to attending games is ticket prices. 

-- They don’t won’t sponsors on athlete jerseys, but could live with it it that drove down prices.

-- They would love to meet athletes, but agreed that the experience just isn’t as authentic if you have to pay for it. 

-- They generally have at least three screens up at any given time while watching from home. 

-- Twitter is their No. 1 method for getting sports information, and they often use it at work and while attending live games. 

-- None of the panelists had ever bought food from their phone, but they said they would if it was an option and they knew how.

Quick hits:

Roger VanDerSnick, on fan experience in the venue: “In the college space, it’s taking access and really understanding how valuable and emotional that on-field experience is before the game. That type of access you really can’t put a price on. “

Mike Stevens, on fan engagement ideas for the N.Y. Giants: “I think you always have to get that from the fans. We’re not always going to be the originator of an idea. And a lot of times it comes from the marketplace. But really it has to do with whether you can execute it.”