Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
March 07, 2009
MIT-Sloan Sports Analytics Conference

The first panel of the day is starting, Evolution of the Fan Experience. Daryl Morey of the Houston Rockets is moderating Mark Donovan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeff Van Gundy and Bill Simmons of ESPN, Sean O'Brien of EA Sports and Brian Burke of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

EvolutionFan.JPG

Donovan, Van Gundy, Simmons, O'Brien, Burke, Morey

Update: Brian Burke says he's in the entertainment business, not the hockey business. His claim is that over 30 years a team is going to be .500, so you can't market around winning. He wants stars and action, likes that his team hits and fights.

Update: Bill Simmons believes ticket prices are a problem. With better TV and interactivity, why pay the money when you can stay home and have just as good an experience.

Update: Van Gundy notices empty seats at NBA games. People who own tickets might not show up because they don't want to pay the extra $150 for parking, food and extras.

Update: Mark Donovan talks about points of contacts with fans. They welcome them when they arrive at the park, high five them when they're leaving. The Eagles try to serve their fans real time in the park. They want the fans to be story tellers about the team.

Update: Simmons is showing he doesn't understand basic supply and demand. He dosen't understand why tickets are so much.

Burke points out that a lot of season tickets are being split among people, so everyone can afford them.

Update: Burke makes the point that someone from ESPN shouldn't be lecturing about what people are charged. Good laugh from the crowd.

Update: Brian Burke brings in focus groups to find out what music the fans want to hear at the game. He doesn't understand why O-bla-di is so popular.

Update: Van Gundy wants the NBA to develop more rivalries. He thinks opponents are too friendly. They'll have an altercation in the game, then hug afterward. He's like to see more rabid fans, thinks they are too passive.

Update: Simmons and Burke agree that the NHL season should be shorter. Simmons to keep demand high (he learns quickly), Burke because the season is too taxing on the players.

Update: Teams are using text messages at the game to build databases.

Update: Donovan says he wants replays at the game to be better than what you see on TV.

Update: Burke has now dissed the Beatles and Opera.


Posted by David Pinto at 08:49 AM | Statistics | TrackBack (0)
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