In just a few short years, social media have become the centerpiece at the table of intercollegiate athletics. Stakeholders are now examining how best to utilize and at times cope with entities such as Twitter and Facebook.
“I definitely think that social media have been a game-changer all across the sports landscape. No matter what position you’re in—whether you’re a player, a coach or a broadcaster like myself,” said Danny Kanell, a college football analyst for ESPN networks and host of ESPNU’s late-night show UNITE.
Kanell currently has more than 75,000 followers on Twitter with whom he interacts.
“People are not afraid to let you hear it if they disagree with you,” Kanell continued. “I don’t get offended easily.”
Alumni, fans and even donors are voicing their opinions online. Sometimes it’s appreciation for a great pass or a question about how a certain play is run, but as seems to be the way on the Internet, negativity gets the most attention. From a turnover to an interception to a disappointing loss, fans are utilizing social media platforms to let their opinions be known.
At last December’s IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum (IAF) presented by SportsBusiness Daily/Global/Journal (IAF), Duke University athletic director Dr. Kevin White noted that coaches with a disappointing win-loss record could find themselves the subject of an online uprising.
“When somebody gets foreclosed on because of social media, there are unfortunately times where you are driven to make a decision that perhaps 10 or 20 years ago without that social media you would allow it to ferment a little longer and hopefully you could find a way out of the rough and back into the fairway,” said White.
