The Philadelphia Flyers are active on all major social media platforms. They have a twitter following of over 1,500,00 million people, the fourth most among professional hockey teams, a Facebook following of 1,200,000, and an Instagram following of just over 420,000. The team remains very active, from game-day posts to keeping fans informed as to what the team is doing off the ice. Through their constant efforts to stay engaged with fans, there are few mistakes that the team’s social media specialists are making.
As a diehard Flyers fan, I actively check the team’s social media pages to stay up-to-date with the team. Having such a busy schedule, I am no longer able to sit down and watch every game like I used to. When I want to stay updated with the score, I usually turn to the team’s Instagram or Snapchat account. Through these accounts the team will post score updates as well as in-game videos for those in a similar situation to myself. The one issue I saw occurring on multiple occasions was the fact that the score was not posted on their Snapchat every intermission, something the team has improved on throughout the course of the season. There would be times where the score after the first intermission was posted and then nothing until the final score.
The issue with the team’s lack of posts appeared to diminish over the course of the 2017-2018 season. All-in-all, the team does an excellent job engaging fans on their social media accounts. Their Instagram and Snapchat is filled with behind the scenes footage on game-days, from showing players arrive, to posting videos from the locker-room as the team is taking the ice. This content allows fans a behind-closed-doors look into the team that was not previously available to those not fortunate enough to physically be there. The team also does a great job posting video recaps of games, hype videos, memes, and much more. Whenever a player is given recognition by the league, for the All-Star Game or as a star of the week, the team quickly posts that on their page, distributing that information to their fans. On their Instagram stories they post sponsored promotions, more specifically, deals with Papa John’s in regard to using a discount code on your next order.
If I were a member of the Flyers’ front office and had to make the decision to partner with either ESPN or Barstool Sports, I would choose Barstool. For one, ESPN has been steadily declining in most regard, more importantly, viewership. Barstool Sports is currently on the rise, they are making a name for themselves, even hosting their own television show on Comedy Central. Barstool Sports’ demographics are also a better target for the team. They do an excellent job of connecting with younger fans, approximately ages 13-28. The older Flyers’ fans have their methods of receiving news and updates on the team, as for younger fans, they are constantly looking for new ways to engage with the team through social media. Barstool Sports gives the Flyers’ a new medium for connecting and engaging with fans.
I think there is a reason that the Flyers’ social media accounts are among the top followed team’s in the league. The team’s social media department posts fun and informative graphics that engage and enlighten fans. The effective use of social media allows fans to feel even more involved with the team as they are updated with everything happening on and off the ice. I look forward to continuing to engage with, like, and share the posts that the Flyers’ social media team creates.
Sources:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/243070/twitter-followers-of-national-hockey-league-teams/