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 hardcore, passionate fans sat on a panel to end Day One of the IMG 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 want sponsors on athlete jerseys, but could live with it if 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.
IMG College Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Roger VanDerSnick said of 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. “
NFL Giants Senior VP & CMO Mike Stevens said of on fan engagement ideas for his team: “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.”
Read more from the conference on our dedicated blog.
