Tag Archives: usa

Sports Marketing seminar not to be missed

May 4, 2015 @packers4 Leave a comment

A great initiative from the Southern Football Netball League in presenting a seminar that will provide tips to community clubs on sports marketing in the digital age.

Featuring Senior Associate Commissioner Dan Butterly and Sports Geek Sean Callanan, the seminar will be held on Wednesday 13 May 2015 starting at 6.30pm at Clayton Football Club rooms. Both Dan and Sean are former Sportzfan Radio contributors and have a long history in sports marketing.

Dan is responsible for branding and marketing the Mountain West Conference which forms part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the USA. He is the key person involved in marketing, promotions, merchandising, licensing and advertising. The Mountain West comprises 12 colleges in 8 states of the USA with almost 6,000 student athletes involved in 15 different sporting disciplines.

The Mountain West has been a very successful conference having, in the last 16 years, had one of their student athletes selected as the number one draft pick in the NFL, MLB and NBA drafts. That includes Australia’s own Andrew Bogut who was the first Australian drafted at number one into the NBA.

Sean Callanan or the Sports Geek, as he is better known in sports digital circles, is at the cutting edge in the field and his expertise has seen him develop a client base in both Australia and internationally. He
provides advice to teams in the NBA, AFL, NRL and cricket and is also a much sought after presenter at any seminar covering his area of expertise. He is fresh from presenting at the SEAT conference held in March 2015 in London.

This is sure to be an opportunity not to be missed to hear two leaders in their respective fields.

Check out the SFNL website for further details.

News, Sports

Professor’s Monday rant – AFL and International Rules…

February 23, 2015 @packers4 Leave a comment

The hybrid game of ‘International Rules’ football (the rules somewhere between Gaelic football and Australian Rules football) played between teams representing the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Australian Football League hasn’t been able to hold the attention of supporters in Australia or Ireland.

The contests date back to 1967 with the first three game series taking place between the teams in 1984. Since then it has had more downs than ups. In 1990 the series was suspended due to crowd ‘lack of interest’ but was resumed in 1998 in a different format with the matches reduced to two. This also failed to interest crowds as did the selecting of an all Indigenous team to represent Australia in 2013. In 2014 the two game format was reduced to one game with the Australian team featuring players selected as All Australians in that year.

That format seemed a first step back from the abyss with the game played at Subiaco where a 30,000+ crowd was attracted. The sensible next step would be to build on the format that had met with approval by the population.

It comes as a surprise then that, notwithstanding the relative success of last year’s format, it is rumoured the next game is set to be played in November in the USA, possibly in New York. The venue mentioned – Central Park…..really? There is no stadium in Central Park…..does the AFL really intend a team of All Australians play an international in a park? As for a stadium to play in, clearly the AFL has forgotten the problems in staging exhibition games there in the past due to the relatively small playing fields in US stadia.

The AFL’s treatment of the concept with such a suggestion indicates to me they don’t really care about international football. One thing for sure, there will be fewer people interested in a hybrid one off game in New York, especially as it will be played at the peak of the NFL season. In addition, I doubt anyone from Australia will pay any attention to it. The only beneficiaries here will be the players and coaches who get a junket to the USA.

The observations made by the GAA’s Paul Earley are close to the mark when he says “I don’t see the logic in playing it in the US to be perfectly honest. I think it has got to establish a foothold again in Ireland and Australia first of all before you take it internationally.”

Now there is a person who should be listened to, if anyone cares!

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio show #226.2

November 14, 2011 @packers4 Leave a comment

13 November 2011 226.2 – Mark Fiorenti comes on to talk soccer and has to deal with questions over the Socceroos defeat by Oman overnight. He thinks it was a subdued performance and one of the worst in recent history. He is looking for a much better outing against Thailand on Tuesday and predicts a one all draw. The Panel also discusses Internationl friendlies between England/Spain, France/USA and ‘traditional’ rivals Gabon/Brazil. Mark also quickly reviews the fortunes of Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory in the A League. The Panel discuss the proposition that cultural diversity is the reason Australia is not performing as well in sport and believe this is not a true reflection of how things are. Paul Dalligan is enthusiastic about the rugby league Four Nations Tournament with the stirring win by England over New Zealand making way for the final next week between Australia and England. He says England will be fired up at home. He also discusses Des Hasler’s sacking at Manly and the implosion there. This will free Hasler up to coach Canterbury Bulldogs next season. The Panel look at golf and the Australian Open with many Aussies doing well and Tiger Woods form improving with the President’s Cup a week away. John Daly’s antics are discussed as well and it looks like his most recent walk off will be the last straw. Daniel Eade has a bit of hayfever and the Gelding comments he was worried that as Daniel had not been in the studio for a few weeks, he thought Sportzfan Stan had sacked him. Daniel talks NBA lockout and thinks there could still be a season. He also discusses NBL television ratings with the 1.15am game netting a very poor 15,000 viewers Australia wide.

News, Sports

The Professor in the USA #1

May 11, 2011 @packers4 Leave a comment

First stop on the Professor’s USA tour sees me touching down in Denver to visit with Dan Butterly from the Mountain West Conference (our regular Sportzfan Radio contributor) and also take a look at baseball and the New York Mets at Colorado Rockies series played at Coors Field.

The weather has been simply stunning with the sun shining in a cloudless sky and temperatures being in the mid to high 20’s (that’s centigrade) during the day but down to a cool around 5C at night.

After watching game 1 of the series last night (from the Club seats), the Mets were truly unlucky not to have come away with the ‘w’. On two occasions they left bases loaded, managed to strand a total of 10 base runners for the night and were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. You won’t win too many games of baseball with those figures, no matter how good the pitching is.

Mets pitcher Chris Capuano did admirably after escaping from a bases loaded jam in the first to make only one further mistake in the 7th inning allowing a line drive home run to left field by the Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta. In pitching 6 2/3 innings, he allowed only 5 hits and in my opinion did enough for a win if the Mets bats had come through for him.

Unfortunately for the Mets, the usually hitter friendly confines of Coors Field were affected by a swirling cross breeze which reduced two sure home run hits from Jason Bay and David Wright to catches made on the warning track. The Mets certainly lack a quality hitter to take the game by the scruff of the neck. I can only hope that in the final two games of the series, the Mets hitters find some pop and can hit a winning score.

Sports

Australia’s 2022 World Cup bid becomes a Greek tragedy

December 1, 2010 @packers4 Leave a comment

Professor’s Rant #4

I’ll start this rant by repeating what I said on Sportzfan Radio last Sunday (see show #181.2) – I would love Australia to get the 2022 World Cup (a view shared by The Gelding, but not Daniel or Stan – is that OK Daniel?).

The report on the assessment of finacncial return to FIFA from each of the bidding countries, which has only been recently released (more about that later), seems to be a fatal blow to our chances.

Given the findings of the report, what are the chances of Australia getting the nod when the vote is held in the early hours of tomorrow morning? Zero, zilch, zippo, naught, nil, zip. Get the picture?

Why? It comes down to simple mathematics – which Board would vote for an option that reaps the least (that’s right, the least) profit for it? Think about that question for a second or two…now roll it around……easy to answer when you consider it. Let’s for good measure add that the favourite in this five horse race is the USA ,who just happens to be the country that reaps the most reward for FIFA if they are to be successful with their bid. The answer becomes a no brainer!

Even if I am wrong and the USA aren’t successful, there are still three other bids that make more money for FIFA. I can’t see a kangaroo, Hoges and Julia Gillard making up for the giant cash shortfall.

Ask yourself this further question should you still be struggling with the economics of the situation. If you were a share holder in FIFA Inc., would you want the voters to vote for a bid that would give you the least money in your pocket to pay increasing mortgage rates and rising electricity and gas bills?

Yet another question. If FIFA had released the report much earlier (ie when bidding opened) would Australia have run as hard or invested as much money. I think not! Synics like me wonder why the findings of this report have only come to light in the last week of the process. You don’t need to be a Rhodes scholar to work that one out. Why would FIFA reveal findings that would stifle the competition? Another no brainer – they wouldn’t.

On Sportzfan Radio, we have queried from the start the wisdom of making such a large investment in a bid that was against the odds from its very beginning. We felt the money would be far better spent putting resources into growing the game at the grass roots level and enhancing the A League and its teams. Make no mistake, the local product needs to improve significantly if we are to be rated a credible force in world soccer.

So in the end, what will we have?

Nothing for $45 million dollars. Shareholders just love that sort of equation!

To quote Paul Dalligan “ah, yep!”

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio #181.2

December 1, 2010 @packers4 Leave a comment

28 November 2010 181.2 – Daniel wants the Tigers to get rid of their white alternate strip. Stan adds that the Tigers are hopeless at 1-7. Mark Fiorenti talks up Australia’s chances for the 2022 World Cup and thinks the bid looks a lot better than it did three or four months ago. He also thinks the USA are favourites. Daniel believes if Julia Gillard writes a letter of support that will sink the bid. The Professor thinks Bob Hawke should have been asked to write a letter. Mark also wraps up A League and Premier League matches of interest. He thinks it is Chelsea’s title to lose. Dr Leslie’s CSA returns to the show after a few weeks off. Daniel is not happy that the Professor signed off with “We all hope we get the 2022 World Cup”…this then promotes a discussion as to who actually wants the World Cup. Stan and Daniel don’t want it. The Gelding hopes we do get it. Suitably chastened, the Professor re-announces “The Gelding and I both hope we get it, Daniel and Stan definitely don’t”. The Panel then discuss emails about the Australian Test selections. The Gelding thinks the role of wicketkeeper has changed over the years as we now pick a wicketkeeper that is an allrounder. Stan believes it is no good trying to make a batsman into a wicketkeeper. Paul Dalligan is back to talk rugby league….didn’t the season finish eight weeks ago? He talks about Russell Crowe leaking details of Greg Inglis’ contract on a US talk show. The NRL are now looking more closely at the deal. The Professor asks why this deal is different to the Mark Gasnier deal. Daniel thinks it would be good for Crow to team up with Inglis at the Rabbitohs. Paul then goes on to talk baseball and the ABL. Unfortunately, the Melbourne Aces first three home games have been rained out. We give a shout out to a new listener…Lisa Haye’s husband. The Panel talk about Mark “Choco” Williams appointment as Kevin Sheedy’s assistant at Greater Western Sydney. This leads into a discussion of whether Sheedy will actually coach the team in 2012. Stan decides to swing the axe and believes Mick Malthouse and Kevin Sheedy have reached their use by date and should retire as the old guys are keeping the younger coaches out of jobs. Sean Callanan comes on to talk social media and discusses the Dallas Cowboys forgetting to renew their domain name so they were left without a website and thinks the IT man at the Cowboys may be out of a job. The Denver Broncos have been fined $100,000 for filming the 49ers at practice. Sean talks about Vince Young apologising to his coach Jeff Fisher by text and says it is probably not the most effective means of doing that. A listener queries why Young didn’t call Fisher as he had the phone in his hand sending the text.

Sports

Some dare I say "Mouth Watering" ties ahead at World Cup

June 22, 2010 @packers4 Leave a comment

All in all a promoters dream in the 2010 World Cup – so many games changing so many fortunes all hanging on a knife edge in the 3^rd round!

No bigger than Chile v Spain – a Spanish loss and they are out.
Italy v Slovakia – Italy must win to get through (NZ v Paraguay to add some smeltz…I’m sorry spice).
Japan v Denmark – winner through to the next round.
Germany v Ghana – could the unthinkable happen and Germany not qualify for the round of 16?
Our Socceroos v Serbia – Aussie win may get us through depending on results, Serbian win sees them into the next round.
Slovenia v England – a must win for England or one of the tournament favourites is going home! The spice is that if USA win, England must win by more to ensure a place in the next round.
USA v Algeria – USA an unlikely member of the final 16 but should get through with a win.
South Korea v Nigeria – Sth Korea will again move on to the round of 16 with a win.
Greece v Argentina – Greece need to win by more than Sth Korea if they are to go through. A tall order against an undefeated Argentinian team.
France v the host nation – You would think a France win on paper but has all the team unrest and infighting taken its toll? Besides if Uruguay v Mexico is a draw, this result doesn’t matter.
Uruguay v Mexico – A winner heads the group whilst the loser may miss out. A draw and both go through.

How good is that 12 out of 16 games with a direct result on the next round.