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LA Clippers Rules for "The Wall" and the Genius of Ballmer's Latest Innovation
- ❌ Cheering for the opposing team
- ❌ Wearing gear affiliated with opponents
- Reselling tickets is only permitted through the Clippers marketplace
- Clippers fans must be Chuckmark-certified
- Season-ticket cost of purchase on "The Wall" varies from $5,000 to $25,000
The pulse of many sporting organizations can largely be measured in analyzing the supporters they've garnered and their demeanor. Superfandom is most evident throughout sporting history with international football's 'Ultras,' a term defining a type of association of football fans who are famed for their fanatical support. Origination of the modern-day Ultras took influence from the Torcidas organizadas, a Brazilian football form of superfandom that took its inception in the latter end of the 1930s. In Italy, the next generation of Ultras morphed into a supporting cast that evolved into a recognized element of match-winning strategy and tactics: the metaphorical "twelfth player." As the beating heart of many organizations, Ultras hold commendable respect for their continued efforts in bolstering club enthusiasm.
It comes as no surprise that Steve Ballmer, LA Clippers owner and ingenious creator in a multitude of spaces, has put an emphasis not just on the in-venue experience for casual fans but on embarking on his own variation of the Ultra mentality. In developing The Wall, a 51-row high Clipper superfan section that has restricted access to deliver Clipper-only supporters, this fan feature is an assimilation toward the mentality various other organizations have on an extraordinary level.
Deloitte's 'The Stadium Experience Keeping sports fans engaged—and loyal' report outlines a clear necessity for teams to implement fan experience drivers that will amass continued retention. Findings are evident that “As broadcast and over-the-top streaming channels continue to improve, though, teams will need to go beyond these foundational elements to elevate, personalize, and connect the disparate elements of the in-stadium experience. They will need to compete across the attributes that make up the stadium playing field of today and differentiate with new experiences"
The “basketball heaven” Ballmer refers to his developing Intuit Dome as, has aims to become the “penultimate basketball experience on the planet.” In cultivating a Clipper-only superfan section, procedural steps of verification toward fandom are enforced to procure a collection of genuine supporters; whether it be following Clipper social media, buying a jersey, or other various engagement habits, Ballmer is taking actionable steps to bring a familial culture to the Intuit Dome. While no culture will ever be the same, the fabrics evident in Ultra fandom should soon be found in Inglewood.
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HOMAGE VP Licensing & Business Development | Driving Revenue Growth and Customer Acquisition through Licensed Products
2moRobert - Would 100% rep Mario & Luigi at the Redmond office anytime, just say the word! Or, any chance you have a free moment at Licensing Expo in a couple weeks? Would be great to reconnect in person!