Sports & New Media

On November 1, 2016 in my American Sport in the 21st Century class we discussed the role of new media and sports. New media can be defined as the means of mass communication using digital technologies such as the internet. In an era with more and more technological advances and more emphasis for an online presence businesses can greatly enhance fan experience through the different forms of new media. Examples of new media include websites, online newspapers, social media, blogs, and video games. New media is now the best method to keep up to date with any news since it is much faster than traditional media, like physical newspapers or radio. Social media dominates the new media rise especially Twitter and Facebook; fans can follow teams or even individual athletes and get behind the scenes information or pictures never usually available in magazines or on TV. New media has better reach than traditional media and can be viewed immediately, it is more widely accessible, and usually free to sign up for.

The Wisconsin Badgers take a Twitter selfie

Social Media Categories

• Websites where users dictate the content 
• Communication services like Facebook or blogging
• Entertainment like YouTube or Instagram
• Professional networking sites like LinkedIn
• Smart phone apps 

The use of social media can be used as a tool to bring people together and create unity through sport and build a sense of community for millions of people across the world. An article by Steven G. Mandis called Why a Community Brand like Real Madrid is so Successful goes on to describe how the hugely popular soccer team Real Madrid uses new media to "bring together a passionate global community." Mandis shares in the article that using new media to communicate with their fans they are able to create content desired by the fans fueling their connection and passion for the team and reinforce the identity association using the clubs traditions. By using this approach and listening to fans the club was able to create a sense of belonging and shared values among the fans. For the full article click here.

Video explaining how social media is changing sports

In an article titled The Growing Impact of Social Media On Today's Sports Culture by Anthony DiMoro, DiMoro shared what I thought was a great way to sum up sports fans on Twitter he describes the social media platform as "a virtual sports bar that fans flock to before, during and after the game." The article also states that sports fans are 67 percent more likely to use social media to enhance their viewing experience. Fans can communicate with fellow or rival fans in ways never seen before the 21st century. Fans can now directly interact with teams and athletes who in turn engage back, most of the time; teams even communicate with other teams within a league taking playful jabs at rival teams.Twitter gives an unbelievable presence for businesses and endorsements, if  fans sees an athlete they trust and admire using a specific brand fans will be more willing to purchase that company's product. For the full article click here.