If the NRL is serious about boosting gate sales
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 7:23 am
SPORT in the US is a multi-billion dollar industry. The 14th largest grossing industry sector; larger than the steel and road industries.
But just like the NRL, the Americans face a weekly battle to lure fans out of their lounge rooms and into the stands and stadiums.
The difference is, the NFL, led by Super Bowl Champions the Seattle Seahawks, are winning the fight by treating the game-day experience seriously.
Instead of rides and jumping castles, NFL fans are being wooed back to the football with the promise of a game-day experience that combines the benefits of watching the game at home with the magic of soaking up the atmosphere from rows 1A to 99 Z.
If the NRL are serious about boosting crowds in 2015 and not only playing matches out of larger stadiums, but filling them, they should spend a few days, as the Parramatta Eels have this past week, meeting and talking with the NFL.
The Sunday Telegraph has accompanied the Eels to Seattle. Parramatta will return to Sydney next week equipped with the information that the NRL should have: how to win back the fans.
TRAVELLING EELS EARN THEIR STARS AND STRIPES
Or the coaches on the sideline, or the player’s tunnel, or instant replays and the after-match press conference live.
Seahawks fans at Century Link Stadium have the Wi-Fi technology at their finger tips to view 12 different camera angles with a simple push of a button.
The beauty is, the smart phone and tablet application, which allows fans to go where not even the live broadcast can go, only works for fans if they’re inside or in the proximity of the stadium.
The Seahawks designed the app in order to give fans a better experience than what they would in their lounge rooms at home.
A member of the Seattle Seagals performs during a game.
A member of the Seattle Seagals performs during a game. Source: Getty Images
NO TWITS
Under NFL rules and regulations, players aren’t allowed to participate on social media 45-minutes prior to kick-off. No Twitter, no Facebook or Instagram.
The rule was designed under the NFL’s media rights, which respects the role of the broadcasters and media covering the sport.
It means that for those 45 minutes, NFL fans are reliant on TV, radio and print to receive the latest late breaking news, team changes or interviews — not from the players or their clubs.
During the game, such is the appeal and popularity of Fantasy Football in the US, injuries are revealed and explained as they happen on the jumbo screen.
The NRL are currently overhauling their media guidelines. To league fans, this is hardly headline news.
But clearly the NFL respect and understand the role of the media and realise that to become a multi-billion dollar industry, how the media portray the game is pivotal.
Media covering the NFL are allowed to collect interviews, take the action inside the locker room to the fans in the stands and at home, up to 25-minutes prior to kick-off.
After the game, media are then provided with unrestricted access to every player.
No media bans or backdoor exits.
It’s enough to send a shiver down the spine of every NRL coach, CEO and media manager in the game.
David Riccio travelled as a guest of the Parramatta Eels.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/if-the ... 7116863696
But just like the NRL, the Americans face a weekly battle to lure fans out of their lounge rooms and into the stands and stadiums.
The difference is, the NFL, led by Super Bowl Champions the Seattle Seahawks, are winning the fight by treating the game-day experience seriously.
Instead of rides and jumping castles, NFL fans are being wooed back to the football with the promise of a game-day experience that combines the benefits of watching the game at home with the magic of soaking up the atmosphere from rows 1A to 99 Z.
If the NRL are serious about boosting crowds in 2015 and not only playing matches out of larger stadiums, but filling them, they should spend a few days, as the Parramatta Eels have this past week, meeting and talking with the NFL.
The Sunday Telegraph has accompanied the Eels to Seattle. Parramatta will return to Sydney next week equipped with the information that the NRL should have: how to win back the fans.
TRAVELLING EELS EARN THEIR STARS AND STRIPES
Or the coaches on the sideline, or the player’s tunnel, or instant replays and the after-match press conference live.
Seahawks fans at Century Link Stadium have the Wi-Fi technology at their finger tips to view 12 different camera angles with a simple push of a button.
The beauty is, the smart phone and tablet application, which allows fans to go where not even the live broadcast can go, only works for fans if they’re inside or in the proximity of the stadium.
The Seahawks designed the app in order to give fans a better experience than what they would in their lounge rooms at home.
A member of the Seattle Seagals performs during a game.
A member of the Seattle Seagals performs during a game. Source: Getty Images
NO TWITS
Under NFL rules and regulations, players aren’t allowed to participate on social media 45-minutes prior to kick-off. No Twitter, no Facebook or Instagram.
The rule was designed under the NFL’s media rights, which respects the role of the broadcasters and media covering the sport.
It means that for those 45 minutes, NFL fans are reliant on TV, radio and print to receive the latest late breaking news, team changes or interviews — not from the players or their clubs.
During the game, such is the appeal and popularity of Fantasy Football in the US, injuries are revealed and explained as they happen on the jumbo screen.
The NRL are currently overhauling their media guidelines. To league fans, this is hardly headline news.
But clearly the NFL respect and understand the role of the media and realise that to become a multi-billion dollar industry, how the media portray the game is pivotal.
Media covering the NFL are allowed to collect interviews, take the action inside the locker room to the fans in the stands and at home, up to 25-minutes prior to kick-off.
After the game, media are then provided with unrestricted access to every player.
No media bans or backdoor exits.
It’s enough to send a shiver down the spine of every NRL coach, CEO and media manager in the game.
David Riccio travelled as a guest of the Parramatta Eels.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/if-the ... 7116863696
