NFL BlackFin360 - Innovation To Reality

June 5, 2015April 10, 2017

NFL and Yahoo Partner for Global Live Stream

I was recently asked by Mobile Marketer to provide commentary about the new partnership between the NFL & Yahoo and their attempt to deliver the first-ever live streamed NFL game this fall.

(Mobile Marketer) What does this partnership say about the importance of reaching sports fans on mobile? 

The NFL understands that mobile is the first screen, especially for younger fans, and they are creating new partnerships that will extend the reach of their product and deliver entertainment across all device types.

(Mobile Marketer) What impact could this move have on the number of folks who now just watch Internet-based TV, rather than cable?

We are seeing a fundamental shift in behavior. Cord cutting over-indexes among millennials yet sports programming is still a key interest area. Having an option to experience NFL programming live in real-time as well as free is a compelling value proposition.

(Mobile Marketer) Given that until now, most streaming TV activity has focused on special events, how might it affect the future of mobile and sports broadcasts?

This is a great opportunity for the NFL and Yahoo to test and optimize future experiences to gauge the interest and consumption across device types. This can help inform the media strategy for future events and where to invest dollars that will drive the most impact.

(Mobile Marketer) If fans take to the idea of watching football on mobile both at home and abroad, what could the implications be for traditional broadcasters, whose advertising revenue has already taken a dive thanks to the rise of streaming video?

The consumer is now in control of their entertainment choices and are not as locked in to traditional broadcasts as they once were. Organizations such as the NFL that create and test new partnerships and distribution points capitalizing on where consumers are and they will have the ability to further align contextual online behaviors to further enhance and personalize the experience of gameday and have a better opportunity to create additional streams of revenue.

Follow Tom @BlackFin360

February 2, 2008January 7, 2014

Golf with The Gridiron Greats

Besides Madden Bowl XIV yesterday it was day two of assisting the Gridiron Greats cause. The morning brought a very moving press conference with 50 Gridiron Greats, 35 of which are Hall of Fame players. They gave moving testimony as Mike Ditka, Gale Sayers, Daryl “Moose” Johnston, and Michael Irvin all spoke about why this means so much to so many former players.

Later in the day brought the Gridiron Greats Golf event where the grand prize was a pair of Super Bowl XLII tickets. During the awards ceremony I had the priviledge to speak with Mike Ditka, Jim Marshall, and Jan Stenerud about their thoughts around the current situation facing those players left to fend for themselves.

This has been a great experience in that the passion that these men feel for this issue really comes through in their words. There are times when tears begin to gather and emotions start running high. These men, especially the older players paved the way and made the game what it is today. They gave their bodies and did not receive the generous salaries of today’s players. It is amazing how much this organization has accomplished in just one short year. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

Mike Ditka

Jan Stenerud

January 31, 2008July 6, 2011

Madden Bowl XIV

Tonight was the invite only Madden Bowl XIV put on by the Electronic Arts Tiburon team. It was a great event. A number of NFL stars squared off to see who would be the Madden Bowl XIV champ. Kellen Winslow Jr., Willis McGahee, Marshawn Lynch, Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson, Jason Whitten and others all virtually took the field to see who would win the coveted Madden Bowl trophy.

After a few rounds the finals came down to Willis McGahee and Marshawn Lynch. McGahee took home the coveted Madden Trophy 43-7.

The event was being blogged live by Will “Raczilla” Kinsler, Madden community manager.

Also, It was great to hang out with Mike “MJ” Johnson (Below) and Reg Hamlett of EA Sports and all of their associates during the event.

April 27, 2007July 5, 2011

10,000 points and the NFL draft

It took 7 months but I finally broke through the 10,000 point barrier (Xbox 360 achievement points). Let the celebration begin, okay on to 20,000! In another update to the never ending hockey series, Rob and I once again dropped 2 to the Scott Dockendorf and Kevin Cunningham combo (yesterday). Back to the drawing board.

I am really looking forward to the NFL draft tomorrow! For those of you that don’t know I am a big OU Sooner fan. I can’t wait to see where Adrian Peterson ends up, I just hope that the Bills don’t trade up (Eric Smith’s team). As that would mean I would have to root for Eric’s team and that just can’t happen.

Also, Telligent will play a part in the NFL draft tomorrow. When EA announces the cover athlete to Madden08, the blog portion of the Madden08 site will be powered by Community Server via an iframe!!! Great stuff!!!