While NFL is updating its game day policy on Social Media, it gives the opportunity to reflect a bit more on how Sport Organisations approach social media.

There are some great examples of openness like i.e. the US Women’s Professional Soccer league that last March allowed players to use Twitter during the league’s inaugural game between Los Angeles Sol and Washington Freedom (this may be a bit too far in my opinion but at least shows the will to experiment and being transparent and open) or NBA teams like the Phoenix Suns, that have at least 18 different Twitter accounts encompassing the whole of their organization, from the team, to players, to dancers, to their PR and web development team and even one for their mascot, or the Cleveland Cavaliers, that have already been a subject of a past Fastbreak Digital’s post.

What is a shame to me is that apparently the focus with Sport Organisations and Social Media is mostly on what forbidding, where limiting, how much will the fine be. There is a gripping fear of what will go out rather than a volcanic excitement in realising the incredible potential to widen and engage new and existing audiences.

When will Sport Organisations instead start coming up with a Social Media strategy plan, taking advantage of all the available platform and tools and encouraging players, coaches, fans (within boundaries of course, nobody is denying the need of regulation) to engage online, making Sport events more personal and social?

Will Europe, that has been so far quite inactive apart from a few brilliant cases, catch up and take advantage of US Sport Organisations’ learning curve?

Alessandro De Zanche