The BCS - It’s Like They Almost Enjoy Making Us Miserable
The picture above (from Nick Anderson at the Houston Chronicle) pretty much says it all. Nobody in their right mind likes the bowl system. I’m particularly bitter this year as my team of choice (Michigan) is not even going to a bowl game, although to be fair, they wouldn’t have even made it to the playoffs in a playoff system. Next year…
Considering the fact that everyone and their mother is at the very least, discontent with the current system, it is surprising to me that the BCS would set up a Twitter account. According to Advertising Age, within no time at all the account had drawn angry tweets from those opposed to the current system. Advertising Age looked upon this as a bad thing, because the BCS was not protecting their brand. I beg to differ, at least from a sports fan’s perspective.
Sure the BCS was opening itself up to a world of hurt in the form of public criticism. This is nothing new to the BCS. The photo I posted above is from 2006. Come November the annual outcry against the current system gets its momentum and doesn’t stop until well after the Championship game. Year after year journalists, fans and some schools openly criticize the current bowl game system.
Opening a two-way path of communication with college football enthusiasts may prove to be useful in repairing a broken system. If the BCS is responsive to comments posted to them via Twitter and *gasp* maybe even takes some of what is said into account, it could work to create a better system for us all. Idealistic and unlikely, yes. Hey a girl can dream. At the very least they can’t as easily ignore our rage-filled shouts!
Clowney Benched by Twitter
Ok, well not by twitter, but certainly because of it. New York Jets WR David Clowney found himself riding the bench during this Sunday’s game against Houston for some comments he made via his Twitter account following Week 2’s game against New England. Twitter and its relation to sports is usually fodder for my work blog (I work in PR and have a special interest in social media), but it is certainly the topic du jour (actually of the past year or so), so indulge me.
As reported by Fanhouse, disappointed by his playing time, Clowney tweeted that although he was happy about the win, he was a bit unhappy about his time on the turf. He followed with two tweets on his intentions to work harder the next week. Coach Rex Ryan, being the cuddly, sensitive, pat your players on the back kind of guy that he is, benched Clowney for week 3. Ryan cited that the tweets were against team rules. The NFL also has rules in place, but those pertain to tweets during games.
The consequences were minor here; the Jets enjoyed a fairly decisive win over the Texans. The offense didn’t seem to struggle too much without Clowney on the field; but then again this offense has looked surprisingly solid all season. What is remarkable is the actual effect Twitter is beginning to have on the game in areas that it shouldn’t affect at all. Last week Redskins linebacker Robert Henson was blasted for lashing out at fans on Twitter. Chad Ochocinco has also managed to ruffle a few feathers (although he primarily just posts hilariously outlandish things).
While I may enjoy seeing how some of these situations unfold (specifically any Ochocinco updates), as a part of the PR community it makes me wonder where these people’s “people” are. When used correctly Twitter can be a great tool to elevate the popularity of a player or organization. It gives fans a unique chance for a two-way conversation with the sports stars and teams they are passionate about. Clowney’s offense was not that severe, although Ryan certainly went to work at nipping any potential for players sullying the team name in the bud, but some of these other guys really could use some help before they give the sport a digital black eye.
So professional athletes: Got a Twitter problem? I work in PR, love sports and will work tickets. Hell, let’s be real, I’d work for free.
