There are "no plans for fans in the foreseeable future" at Fiserv Forum, but that is "not stopping the Bucks entertainment team, many of whom are operating in a business-as-usual fashion," according to Jordyn Noennig of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The team is "working to create a home court atmosphere inside the building and provide clever new ways to engage fans at home." Half the people inside Fiserv Forum "will be involved in the production -- cranking out the music and running the scoreboard videos and replays." If a "glimpse of the building gets on the national television broadcast, the Bucks organization wants Fiserv Forum to be showcased as a state-of-the-art basketball arena." The No. 1 goal is to "make sure the players feel like it's game day even without fans." They "can play boos for opponent plays or bad referee calls." They "can play exuberant cheers over a 'Defense' chant if the Bucks block an opposing shot." Player introductions "will go as normal to get the Bucks amped up for the coming game." Mascot Bango "will be on hand for the occasional on-screen cameo and for something aside from the game for announcers to talk about." Other production elements are "in the works, like a possible separate screen experience on the Bucks app that will include in-game host Melanie Ricks, who can entertain fans at home during timeouts and halftime" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 12/23).
EXPANDING ENGAGEMENT: Bucks President Peter Feigin said of the new ways the team will engage with fans this season, "Second screen is going to become really important in how we're distributing content along with the broadcast and giving people interaction, everything from chat, to stats, to video. We're testing all of that out, which is kind of the next phase. It's great because it will get us (ready) for the next generation of second screen when we're back open." He added, "It's the recognition that all these social channels go to different segments of the audience and it's how do you find the right niche, whether you're selling retail, whether you're going to sell tickets, whether you want to do trivia online, and how do you engage all of our different fan types" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/22).
