By now many of us are well versed in social networking tools, with accounts on My Space, Facebook, LinkedIn, reading blogs (such as this) and using new apps on our iPhones. Well, Seattle's Major League Soccer team, Seattle Sounders FC, is taking social networkng a step further by launching a new breed of fan clubs with actual powers over key team
decisions, plus an interactive website that allows like-minded fans to
get seats together at the stadium.
Perhaps most unusual is the new fan membership group that will be armed with the power to vote out the Sounders general manager if the team has a horrible run. Every four years, the group will be able to vote on whether or not to retain the general manager. Membership comes with buying a season ticket or paying a $125 annual fee. In the meantime, the group will name the team’s new marching band. I can imagine there are a number of US football fans who would love to have that type of influence.
The first phase for the inaugural season's ticket sales will introduce social networking aspects to help fans identify sections of the stadium to find certain types of fans. For example, do they want to sit next to the fans who plan to cheer and stand up during much of the game? Or sit with fans who are members of a certain local soccer league?
Having Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen as part owner of the new soccer venture will certainly continue to push the team with new technologies.
How soon will it be before other teams embrace social networking, give some power to the fans and in turn create a tighter bond with their fan base?
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