Portland Trail Blazers Fans Get Social Network

Posted on October 21, 2006

InternetNews.com reports that the Portland Trail Blazers have added a social network for fans to their website using software from Affinity Circles.

The Affinity Circles software platform is designed to let basketball fans connect with one another online, create profiles, join groups, share photos, and post blogs.
Phil Taylor, a Senior Writer for Sports Illustrated, said the Blazers investment should be popular with fans.
"I think the fans would love anything that lets them communicate better with each other," Taylor told internetnews.com. "But with a team like the Blazers it could backfire if they give fans an easier way to gripe and complain about the team.
"Web sites and blogs are icing on the cake if you're a good team, but if you don't win it doesn't help."

Jeff Clark, the author of CelticsBlog.com, told InternetNews.com that it will be important how the social network is moderated.

"It shows they understand and respect the growth of message board and blog communities," Clark said in an email to internetnews.com.
"On the other hand, I have to wonder how it is going to be moderated. If the team restricts negative comments about the organization, people won't respect the credibility of the site. But if they don't moderate it, the site will fall into chaos and nobody will want to participate. It all depends on the people that help out," said Clark who relies on several regular volunteer contributors for content at CelticsBlog.

Now it is just a matter of time before every sports team has a social network for fans. It is also just a matter of time before social networks are a ubiquitous as message boards. We wonder if any non Blazers fans will crash the social network.