ESPN Stamps Their Passport to the Geo-Location Game

ESPN has created an app that gives them their first entry into the geo-location check-in game like Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt and Brightkite. ESPN Passport is scheduled to be released in time for the beginning of the World Cup in June which is expected to be a polarizing social media worldwide event. This is how ESPN describes the vision for this app on their website:

“This exciting new app will allow fans to commemorate their at-the-game experiences by creating a scrapbook of memories with features like a virtual ticket stub.  Users will be able to keep a record of the games they attended, where they sat and upload mobile photos to share with friends via social media platforms like Facebook.  With GPS location verification, fans can “check-in” and confirm their attendance, which will in turn allow ESPN to aggregate that user-generated content and feature the story of the game from the fan’s perspective on ESPN.com.”

This is definitely a smart move by ESPN as it will draw in the sports fans, deputizing them to serve as sideline reporters, providing a different perspective as the “voice of the people.” Now users will be able to see instant fan reaction from an exciting match or capture the heartbreak of a last minute defeat all in the fans terms. Another savvy move by ESPN is launching this app right before World Cup 2010 which is going to be one of the highest watched sporting events in the past 10 years.

One month of futbol (soccer) with numerous stories to be shared from 32 countries. Viewers can also expect some interesting additions to the Sportscenter broadcasts when they cover sporting events. I would expect the production team to use the content created at sporting events either in the recap of the event or maybe as a portion of the lead-in story. In the rare moment of history being made (a no-hitter in baseball, a 50 point game in basketball or a hat trick in hockey or soccer), it would be very compelling to see real-time fan reaction at that event. Historical events in sports are never planned which adds to the potential this app/platform can give to viewers. As we mentioned in past articles, this app can also give more exposure to lesser known sports as well as colleges and universities who aren’t in the national spotlight 24/7, i.e. HBCU’s. Think of the potential.

Stay tuned for more information as the apps release approaches and keep an eye out for content I create during my trip to the World Cup. Calling all the sports fanatics on Black Web 2.0 – does this app interest you? What value does it offer you? Meet me in the comments section.

About the Author
I am a developing social and digital media junkie on an adventure through life. Right now I am on the chapter in the book where I live in Los Angeles. Reach me on twitter @ahr19. Thanks for reading my post.
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