Portland Trail Blazers Social Networking Site Launches
The Portland Trail Blazers are a very young team in the NBA, so it makes sense that the organization is trying to create a youthful appeal across all its operations, on and off the court. The team’s new social networking initiative for its fans, the first of its kind, launched late last week. The site’s name is "I Am A Trail Blazers Fan," and the URL is the same (iamatrailblazersfan.com).
Though the name and URL are a bit clunky, the concept is noteworthy. The social networking site is the brainchild of the Portland Trail Blazers in conjunction with Hands on Greater Portland and Affinity Circles. Hands on Greater Portland is a nonprofit organization that helps volunteers in the area to find opportunities where they can help needy areas of the community. Affinity Circles provides social networks for affinity-based organizations, including alumni, student, and professional groups, among others.
The basic idea behind the fan network is to connect fans with each other, players, and volunteer opportunities around the Portland community. In addition to this, features on the site include contest signups, discussions that allow fans to rate with a thumbs up or down, group ticket promotions, and official team profiles.
When a fan registers on the Web site, they are asked not only for their basic personal information, but also their "Baller Information," which includes their desired jersey number, position, height, offensive/defensive styles, and favorite players.
Trail Blazer players also have their own profiles, which includes this type of "Baller Information," in addition to some other fun tidbits. For instance, rookie LaMarcus Aldridge’s offensive style is "Jump shot genius," while Darius Miles says that "The Match Up I Will Dominate" will be against perennial all-star Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The guy can dream on his own social networking profile, right?
Profiles are basic, simple, and even fun to navigate. Fans also have the options of connecting with coaches, personalities, and (brace yourself) team dancers. It’s obvious which group will receive the most messages and friend requests, and it probably won’t be the players.
It is great to see an online community effort being launched by a major sports team, especially with the volunteer aspect of the site. Iamatrailblazersfan.com will be the guinea pig for other potentially influential and edifying social networking sites based around professional sports teams.
The social aspect of sports on the Web will probably see mounting support from both teams and fans alike, as younger, more Internet savvy fans grow as a viable target market.
The Portland Trail Blazers now have big potential both on and off the basketball court, and the next couple years will be a telling period for both.
Sources:
http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20070209/
AQF02009022007-1.html#
http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/
