How much do team Emcees make and how can I get better as an Emcee?

–Ryan

Ryan,

The pay range for Emcees/On-Field Hosts (like mascots and dance teams) is huge. There are some full-time guys who’s primary job is their emcee duties. Others make $25 a game.

Market size, range of duties, name value, sport and league would all be factors.

As far as increasing skills, I would focus on these things:

1. Ability to hit timing marks (getting all the facts and details into 90 seconds is critical, or being able to make a quick hit in 15 seconds can keep the overall show flowing).
2. Variety. Keep your commentary and routine fresh.
3. Create a tradition. Have something you are know for (leading a certain fan call, etc)
4. Get the most out of whoever you are working with. Making the contestant the star actually makes the show better, keeps it fresh, and makes you more successful in turn.

Hope that helps.

-Cudo

For your Friday entertainment, here is NBA mascot Rocky and 3 supporting guests in a halftime run-up of the internet sensation OK GO from a Feb 8th game in Denver.

Most NBA teams are doing some mascot party once a year (some teams are doing two a year) where mascots from around the league are flown in for a party.  The halftime variations range from roller derby, wrestling, basketball, musical chairs and now treadmill dancing.

For more mascot videos check out the Gameops.com YouTube pages where we have indexed hundreds of videos.

–Cudo

The Manchester Monarchs of the AHL hosted the Fans Choice Promotion at a game in March. Fans chose the giveaway item for the night, the National Anthem singer, the first intermission contest, and the promotional events held during timeouts. Fans were able to vote on these promotion options throughout the month of November at the team’s web site.

The Florida Marlins also were into the act with their Fan’s Choice Bobblehehead promotion:

MIAMI — The Florida Marlins announced today the launch of the Fans’ Choice Bobblehead Promotion, which will provide fans with the opportunity to help decide the next Marlins bobblehead giveaway to be distributed on Friday, Sept. 19 during Fan Appreciation Weekend.

I really liked how Manchester worked this through the entire night, going beyond just the giveaway.  It’s also a nice connection between the website and your in-game presentation that is pretty simple to do.

–Cudo

On a tight budget? I found a clip on YouTube explaining how you can build your own t-shirt launcher. Actually its a fun science class like do-it-yourself weekend warrior version of a gun, but the principles are all the same.

Or you can go with the book by these guys which also explains how to build your own cannon next weekend in your garage.

If you aren’t feeling crafty or would just rather have a polished and professional version of an air cannon The Store on Gameops.com has a growing selection of launchers, cannons and slingshots that is hard to top. (Click for The Store).  The new store has some cool features like color selection and videos of the cannons as well.

–Cudo

Here is a great idea from Tampa Bay.

When Tampa mascot Raymond made the trip to the Mascot Hall of Fame, it left a void for a game day. The Rays decided to “call up” one of their minor league affiliate mascots which was probably both interesting for their fans as well as a thrill for the performer. It was an easy way to make things interesting during a long 81 game season.

On August 15, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will make mascot history with the first ever call up of a squirrel. Chatter, mascot for the Rays single-A affiliate Visalia Oaks, will take over the role as mascot for one night. Raymond, the Rays official mascot, will be out of town attending the Mascot Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Philadelphia. (Rays PR)

I will go one further and suggest this is something teams should do yearly just to capture the following benefits.

• Groom new talent for your mascot program
• A yearly trip to your game might be added incentive to attract better candidates to your minor league teams
• Let your mascot help the mascots in your affiliates
• Give your mascot the chance to only to mentor, but to learn from other mascots
• Create interest and hype for the mascots in your affiliate cities
• Keep things fresh with your games by giving your fans something different.  (and if you are not confident in the job they might do, you can invite them to join your mascot for a night rather than replace them for a night)

–Cudo

The May update is live and we still have more coming this month.

For starters we look back at last summer when we reviewed a CFL game in Calgary.  Their dance team (the Outriders) provided an interesting point of focus for game operations.  They perform all game long, but never lose sight of what’s important….the game.  Take a look at how they do that and how that can improve your dance team, scoreboard or mascot performance.

We also partnered with the Fort Wayne Komets on a new twist on the FanRavel…the Design Your Own FanRavel.  For a recent playoff game, Komet fans were given a FanRavel (Rollabanna) with one side primarily blank (the backside featured sponsor logos and white space).  Fans then could add their own message at design stations on the concourse.  We have some photos from their promotion as well as tools to help you create a similar promotion (including FanRavel quotes and FanRavel Boards).

The Store also has a couple new products (the aforementioned FanRavel Boards and blank banner material) and discounts for May.

Coming later this month Pat Walker returns with his popular column (we will feature that link in the blog and on the home page when he returns).

Don’t miss the blog the rest of the month.  I have been busy trying to go from our twice a week postings to three times a week…just to keep you busy.

Thanks for your support.

–Cudo