Without the proper fanfare, last week’s blog entry was the 100th of this blog….thanks to everyone for reading and making the blog one of the most read parts of Gameops.com. It seems like it’s been up and running for years, but it’s still less than a year old.
With a week left, I am starting to see that the January update may be late. The new features are nearly done, but new features have an added layer of integration across the site which can take some time. Right now that added layer is coming along slowly. With the holidays and limited time in the office I might be looking at a week into January before everything is tidy and ready for launch.
If you haven’t seen our Gameops.comTube page, it’s still growing (like YouTube). We have nearly 30 videos from around sports. See mascot skits, sports commercials, contests, and team introductions like the Detroit Pistons’ team introductions… also known as DEEE-TROIT BASKET-BALL.
…and you think your mascot’s a pain because he spilled a drink on a season ticket holder?
Ex-Saints QB sues Titans for mascot incident
NFL.com wire reports
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Dec. 18, 2006) — Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Adrian McPherson is suing the Tennessee Titans because the National Football League team’s mascot hit him with a golf cart before the second half of an August exhibition game.
McPherson filed his civil lawsuit in Davidson County Circuit Court and also is seeking $5 million in compensatory damages for the Titans’ negligence and $15 million in punitive damages. A team spokesman said the Titans were aware of the lawsuit but had no further comment.
The quarterback was on the field Aug. 12 warming up when T-Rac, the Titans’ mascot played by director of mascot operations Pete Nelson, hit him with a golf cart while throwing items into the stand.
McPherson missed the rest of the game with a deep bruise in his right knee, and the Saints cut him on Sept. 2.
He was signed by the Austin Wranglers of the Arena Football League in November.
The NFL did not sanction the Titans for the incident but reminded all teams that mascots must stay outside of a two-meter (six-foot) boundary around their fields.
The Ohio Dept. of Transportation has provided information on motorcycle safety to all in attendance, along with $50 gift certificates to The Plastic Surgery Group–with a grand prize winner getting a $500 gift certificate. The first 1500 kids will receive Cyclones foam goalie helmets and two lucky ticket holders will receive Pocket Rocket motor bikes. (Our Sports Central)
I think this promotion might border on bad taste if it was done following the accident, but with the passage of time, the focus on safety and the fact that Big Ben has recovered makes this an interesting game promotion.
….the sponsor connection to the Plastic Surgury group is pretty funny too. I’d love to know how many people use the $50 coupon.
Bah-Hum-Bug Night
December 22, 2006 at 7:30 pm
No Giveaway!
Long Beach Ice Dogs
Talk about low-budget, cost cutting, easy to manage. Might not be wildly impactful, but its a good talking point. There is also fun things in-game they can do, with no holiday music, penalties for fans showing too much holiday cheer, etc.
Heads up on this story from GGower.com, but here is a good story on pyro in Atlanta.
Pyrotechnic effects spice up arena
When the Hawks and Thrashers play, two men ‘throw as much flame in the game as we can’
By KAREN ROSEN (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
To make each Thrashers game Atlanta’s hottest experience on ice, Rick Lambright and Andy Ulanowski bring the fire.
The brothers-in-law operate the high-flying twin bird heads that spew 20-foot flames during introductions, after every Thrashers goal and whenever the NHL’s rules allow them to fire up the crowd. They are also in charge of this year’s new pyrotechnic effects at Hawks games. Full Story
Card Stunts are the huge crowd interactive productions where fans hold large cards over their heads at an announced time to reveal an image or message.
I caught these samples card stunts on YouTube: One done at Illinois University, involvoing the college pastime of drinking beer. It’s not the complex version like you see at large events, but it’s fun, interactive and interesting. The second is a Budweiser commercial, and while amazing, it is not real….this is a computer generated stunt. Both are good examples of the crowd participation game stunt.
Ex-Saints QB sues Titans for mascot incident
I think this promotion might border on bad taste if it was done following the accident, but with the passage of time, the focus on safety and the fact that Big Ben has recovered makes this an interesting game promotion.
Bah-Hum-Bug Night
Heads up on this story from GGower.com, but here is a good story on pyro in Atlanta.
Card Stunts are the huge crowd interactive productions where fans hold large cards over their heads at an announced time to reveal an image or message.