In the making of a social media lifestyle, no one could of
predicted that this trend would lead to a major social communication make over
for the sports industry. The takeover started with MySpace, then Facebook, and
now, the most dominant of them all, Twitter. Twitter has single handedly taken
over the sports world and how professional organizations and athletes
communicate with its fans, how it shares promotional and or marketing strategies,
and they even use this trend to share personal decisions and thoughts. Twitter
has become the one stop shop for anyone who wants to communicate anything to
anyone.
There is a
good side and a bad side to this trend. The good side is that this trend gives
fans and friends know what is going on in the heads of some of their favorite
players and or teams. This is access to thoughts and decisions like no other
because instead of waiting or never knowing what the typical athlete does on a
daily basis, what they think about certain world news, or even there
whereabouts, Twitter gives first hand access to all of these possible interest.
In particular, take now retired NFL Safety Brian Dawkins who has recently
tweeted his plan to retire instead of the traditional breaking news report that
are usually reported by a reporter from an inside source. Via NFL.com, “Dawkins
didn't announce the end
of his career with a showy press conference. He said it
all on Twitter:’ The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. I
would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing in me. I would
like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to
battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have
enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the
NFL,’ Dawkins wrote.” (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d828858ab/article/brian-dawkins-will-be-remembered-for-leadership?module=HP11_headline_stack).
This in itself is a true testimony on how serious Twitter has taken over the
voices and actions of the past. Athletes can now speak for themselves, which is
something that they never have had the casualty to do before.
 |
| Courtesy of NFL.com |
But like
most things, there is a bad side to anything with this big of a following.
Twitter can also become a self-disrupting tool that portrays even the negative
thoughts and or actions of a professional athlete or organization. Having a
voice is great, but in the sports industry, its only really great when you have
something to say that people agree with. Sharing negative thoughts about the
government, world news, or even fans/teammates can cause a massive breakdown in
image or perception of those who share such thoughts and ideas. Once the send
button is pressed, that message can never be deleted in the minds of those who
report and read it so being conscious of the potential problems that can follow
is detrimental for anyone who uses or owns a Twitter account.
It is safe
to say that Twitter is not going anywhere. Its presence is dominating and is
only getting stronger by the tweet. It is a great tool for anyone who wants to
connect with the masses but that connection can be cut short if the message
paints a nasty perception of who a person is or claims to be.
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