It wasn't all that long ago, but I barely remember what life as a sports fan was like before March 21, 2006. Internet gurus know this as the official creation date of Twitter, the online social networking service used by 274 million people across the world. What Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone and Noah Glass likely didn't imagine on that day eight years ago, is how their creation would impact the life of a sports fan. If you are a member of Twitter, odds are you "follow" at least one account associated with sports. It may be your favorite sports team, a beat writer for a particular program, or even the local TV station or newspaper that offers updates on sporting events. Media members are now required to have Twitter accounts. Most are also expected to be fluent in Facebook, Google+, YouTube and so on. The reasons are justifiable. Multiple studies have shown that roughly half of all Twitter users receive some form of news on their "timeline" throughout the day. According to a 2012 GMR study, "people are 10 times more likely to check the internet for breaking sports news than they are to turn to sports radio." The study went on to say more people used Twitter and Facebook than news websites. That was two years ago. In today's world a person can easily access many varieties of news. Breaking news updates are readily available. Injury reports from athletic teams are posted near-daily. Sports scores can fill a timeline on busy weekends. But how much is too much? Journalists are constantly updating their Twitter (or Facebook) pages and sports reporters may be the busiest in the business. Thumbs across the country are flying across iPhone screens on Friday nights during high school football season. Saturdays and Sundays can be nearly as filling. A person will find many styles of social media reporting when it comes to live sporting events. There appears to be no right or wrong way to update live action sports. Some journalists, particularly the beat reporters, will provide a play-by-play experience of the game. Others offer scoring updates only. Some choose to keep friends and followers in the loop after each quarter or half. Again, there is arguably no correct way for tweeters to keep their followers entertained. But how much is too much? Play-by-play updates are extremely helpful if a fan is not at the game or away from their television or radio. I know a large number of sports fans that like to stay in the know of rival sports teams by way of scoring updates. Facebook users in particular seem to prefer less content clogging their feed. I follow a handful of Twitter users that provide the play-by-play variety of games. Here in Tucson, Daniel Berk and Jason Scheer do a great job with the Arizona Wildcats, offering insight and the occasional humor. Greg Rachac and Colter Nuanez still keep me interested in the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats. Personally, I prefer to receive updates after "big plays" during games - scoring during football, dunks in basketball and so on. As a sports reporter, I usually find myself on the sideline and don't need a play-by-play take of a game. But I can see where other users would find such a thing beneficial. It is up to each social media user to decide who to follow on Twitter or which Facebook page to like. I consistently keep my followers entertained with updates I imagine I would like to know about. But remember, thumbs only fly across the screen so fast. -Richie
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AuthorRichie is a small-town boy chasing big-city dreams. When he's not involved with sports, he's spending time with his wife, Fallon; their yorkie, Tinker; and their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rosie. Archives
April 2016
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