It seems now, more than ever before, there is more of an opportunity for "regular" people to get their thoughts and opinions onto the web. This has been aided by the idea of social communities. We see it with YouTube, Facebook and many other social networking sites that allow individuals to interact with one another, comment on stories, blogs or videos. I chose to focus on a relatively new site that was launched by ESPN. The site: espn los angeles focuses on every team, whether collegiate or professional, that is based in LA. ESPN has also launched similar sites in Chicago, Boston and Dallas. The rumor is that they eventually would like to have a site for every major market in the US.
The site offers fans of LA sports team up-to-date news and stories on all LA teams and players. Obviously we are in the thick of basketball season so the Lakers have been dominating the main page, and for good reason, they're the best team and they have the best player in the league (Kobe Bryant). Aside from articles, the site also offers fans team-based blogs (USC blog), video features, a link to purchase tickets for an LA sports event and a link to ESPN790 (the main radio for LA sports).
With each article, blog post or video feature, fans also have the opportunity to write their own comments. While these city-based ESPN sites do not allow for as much individual interaction as Facebook, ESPN has built a social community where passionate LA sports fan can gather, read or watch the latest on their favorite team or athlete and carry on conversations within the commenter sections. Additionally, almost every LA sports writer on the site has a twitter page, so the opportunity to carry on a conversation or engage in a new one is present outside of the ESPN Los Angeles site.
I really like ESPN's hometown approach. It is a very smart move offering a 'home' site that is comprehensive and creates a smaller, community feel. Fans can now track their hometown teams (college, professional) from anywhere in the world - a huge drawing card! I think this is a major step for ESPN because often times larger news group lose sight of local issues. These target sites have it all - professional coverage and local sporting events!
ReplyDeleteA side note - have you followed the controversy in Boston? The Boston Herald is refusing to cover Northeastern University sports in any depth because they feel slighted from the November 2009 football program termination press conference. It is a local, hot issue, causing 'bad blood' between Boston sports fans and The Herald. It will be interesting to see how things unfold as time goes by but a huge hit to NU's athletic teams, big and small!
-Katherine
I also like the idea to include hometowns. I think it engages the reader and gives them more reason to come back to the site. That is a good idea.
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