I might be behind the times on this, but I recently heard about this “unbelievable video” on the web with a marriage proposal prank at Yankee Stadium. Its got huge hits on CollegeHumor.com, coverage on Good Morning America and TMZ (see video below).

A few industry blogs and site are even warning teams to be careful about what they put on the screen and to vet out proposals and special requests. Which is true, but I think that might miss the point of what this really was.

I actually didn’t find the footage to be all that interesting. In fact I found it to be a little “Game Operations 101“. I also think it’s totally bunk. If so, credit should be given to these guys for starting a viral marketing wave (which is really difficult to do) and to get tons of attention for the CollegeHumor site (both characters in this series work for the site).

A couple things just struck me as being a little convoluted. First, the rival jerseys of the couple was very cliché. Any first year game operations persons uses this basic identification to steer the crowd. The guy in his Seattle jersey and the girl proudly wearing a Yankees jersey….I wonder who fans are supposed to be sympathetic too?

Second, the overstated and overreaching acting. If this really happened (and really was a prank) would you stand up and make a scene, or quietly (and painfully) try to explain it to your girlfriend? I think you would hard pressed to find a guy who would broadcast the fiasco to the section around them. These bits “play” to the masses (and on the big screen) but rarely pass the sniff test when you think them through.

Finally, I thought it was a little too plug-friendly. On first glance I thought Subway was a little too prominent in the video (upon further review it didn’t focus enough on a formerly obese guys huge pants to be a Subway-related viral campaign). This is however a huge plug for the CollegeHumor site (and well done at that….as I sit here and plug them).

Credit to Good Morning America, who seemed reluctant to pass this off as legit and at least asked the question….do you think this was real?

I think not. Impressive viral marketing. An example of what teams nationwide do everynight….but unlikely a legit prank.

Or maybe I am just jaded and overly skeptical. If you haven’t seen all of this, some YouTube is below, along with links to the original video.

–Cudo

Links and Video Below

Prank War Video on CollegeHumor.com

Similar Game Operations Phony Proposals