Tag: Fans

Q: It’s been about eight months since …

Q: It’s been about eight months since drafting Rui Hachimura. What kind of expectation did you have after that draft and what kind of results have you seen so far? Van Stone: The response and support that we received from Japanese fans over the last eight months has been absolutely amazing. The support that we are seeing for Rui and the Wizards on a nightly basis at our games from visiting Japanese fans and also Japanese Americans attending has been so much more than we ever expected. It’s a very humbling experience but it has also created a level of responsibility for us organizationally that we have to create as much Japanese language content as we can to develop a relationship with the market to make fans feel like they’re at home even when Rui and Wizards are playing so far away. We also saw very quickly with the amount of Japanese media covering Rui’s first press conference in Washington after the NBA Draft that his popularity was a very unique opportunity for our organization.

Report: PGA Tour restart could happen without fans in attendance

With three of the four majors back on the PGA Tour schedule for the second half of 2020, it’s now time to focus on a potential Tour re-start. In a PGA Tour memo sent to players on Thursday, the Tour indicated it would hold a meeting with the players advisory council on Tuesday, April 14. Discussion points would include the remainder of the schedule and the impacts on playing opportunities and eligibility. One of the big risks in restarting professional sports like the PGA Tour is in allowing fans to assemble. The Tour addressed that element in the memo, noting that competition could resume “with or without fans.” As for how much time players might have to prepare, the memo said players could expect a minimum of three to four weeks of notice before a season reboot. The Tour has still not moved the Charles Schwab Challenge, slated for May 21-24 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, but in the memo, the Tour did acknowledge that the event is unlikely to be played as scheduled.

With three of the four majors back on the PGA Tour schedule for the second half of 2020, it’s now time to focus on a potential Tour re-start. In a PGA Tour memo sent to players on Thursday, the Tour indicated it would hold a meeting with the players advisory council on Tuesday, April 14. Discussion points would include the remainder of the schedule and the impacts on playing opportunities and eligibility. One of the big risks in restarting professional sports like the PGA Tour is in allowing fans to assemble. The Tour addressed that element in the memo, noting that competition could resume “with or without fans.” As for how much time players might have to prepare, the memo said players could expect a minimum of three to four weeks of notice before a season reboot. The Tour has still not moved the Charles Schwab Challenge, slated for May 21-24 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, but in the memo, the Tour did acknowledge that the event is unlikely to be played as scheduled.

The 20,000 refunds will be paid out to …

The 20,000 refunds will be paid out to those who purchased floor-level seating for the games. Despite a mock-up depicting tiered seating, the seats used were in flat rows, lower than the court and, in some cases, more than 30 metres from the action. “Consumers paid a premium for floor-level seats, ranging between $895 and $3,995 for a hospitality package, and may have done so as a result of misleading seating advertising,” said Rod Sims, chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. “In our view, TEG Live’s conduct was unacceptable.”

TEG Live’s statement echoed Sims’ …

TEG Live’s statement echoed Sims’ comments. “We acknowledge some fans were disappointed that the USA Men’s Basketball team that competed in Australia in August did not include some of the NBA’s biggest stars,” it read. “Based on the information provided to TEG Live by USA Basketball, we had expected these stars to play.”

Graham Glasgow also has good things to say about Broncos fans

“It was really cool” for Graham Glasgow to experience the atmosphere at the Broncos’ stadium with the Lions last season.

After he signed with the Broncos, running back Melvin Gordon was quick to point out the differences between Denver’s fans and the (lack of) Chargers fans. New offensive lineman Graham Glasgow also has good things to say about Broncos Country.

“The biggest thing about it is I’ve always known that the Broncos have been a winning organization, a winning team,” Glasgow said during a conference call with reporters on March 24. “I think that is something that is important to me.

“I think I said this on some show earlier — I don’t know where it was, I think it was a radio show — but playing in the stadium this past season when I was with the Lions and the energy and intensity of the fans and the atmosphere that you play with on game day, it was really cool for me. I think that [Denver] was definitely my top choice. I’m very happy I ended up here.”

Glasgow is expected to become the team’s new right guard right away and if needed, he can later move to center. He was a big signing for the Broncos this offseason and fans will be sure to make him feel welcomed.

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Melvin Gordon happy to join team with ‘a way bigger fan base’ than Chargers

Broncos new running back Melvin Gordon isn’t used to playing for a team with great fans.

After spending the first five years of his career with the Chargers, new Broncos running back Melvin Gordon won’t be able to help but notice having a home-field advantage seemingly for the first time as a pro.

“You definitely have a way bigger fan base,” Gordon said during a conference call with reporters on March 27. “Since I’ve been a Charger, there was always — I always felt like it was an away game when we played the Broncos and pretty much any team. Definitely at Qualcomm, it was always a sea of orange. We just didn’t have that many fans.”

Players will debate about whether or not having loud fans actually makes much of a difference in a game. Gordon says the biggest benefit is feeling the good moral.

“On third downs and things like that, having our fans kind of making noise and putting off the opposite opponent [would be nice], but we didn’t have that [with the Chargers]. It is what it is.”

Gordon and his new teammates should have no trouble drawing good moral from Broncos fans, who pack the team’s stadium every week.

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WATCH: New players share excitement in joining Chiefs

Jordan Ta’amu and Antonio Hamilton are both excited to join the team and now they’ve shared that excitement with Kansas City Chiefs fans.

The Kansas City Chiefs had a chance to welcome several players to the Chiefs Kingdom on Thursday.

In addition to a teleconference call with media members, the players also recorded some messages that were shared with the fans on the Chiefs’ official social media channels. New players like quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and cornerback Antonio Hamilton both were able to relay the excitement they have about joining the team.

While we’ve known about Ta’amu joining the team for over 10 days, Kansas City first made the signing official today. Ta’amu shared that he’s excited to be a part of defending the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV title.

“What up Chiefs Kingdom,” Ta’amu began. “I just want to say how fired up I am to be a part of the defending champs. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the fanbase. I’m excited to see what all of that is about in the fall, in Arrowhead Stadium. I’m just grateful for the opportunity and God bless.”

For Hamilton, it’s all about that crowd at Arrowhead Stadium. Playing in front of the fans is something that he’s dreamed about for a long time.

“Hey, Chiefs Kingdom,” Hamilton began. “This is Antonio Hamilton, cornerback for you all. I’m excited to be here. I know all about the great tradition of the fanbase here at Arrowhead Stadium. And I can’t wait to play in front of you all this Fall.”

At face value, it seems like these players are ready to get to work and will fit right in with the great team that the Chiefs have already assembled.

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NASCAR, IndyCar drivers go digital with autographs during postponed seasons

With NASCAR and IndyCar on hold for the coronavirus pandemic, racing fans are missing out on the in-person interaction they can have with drivers at the tracks, a big part of the race-day experience.

With NASCAR and IndyCar on hold for the coronavirus pandemic, racing fans are missing out on the in-person interaction they can have with drivers at the tracks, a big part of the race-day experience.