Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


2

Twitter Scores With Jocks, Fans

Site has drawbacks but allows fans to spy and athletes to vent

Share

(Newser) – Sports fans may not have their favorite athletes on speed dial, but they do have the next best thing: Twitter, Sports Illustrated reports. Fans are obsessed with the microblogging site, which allows them to keep up on the errands, eating habits, and allergy medication needs of players. Laid-back Atlanta golfer Stewart Clink, who has 280,000 Twitter followers, says he's “grateful” people “listen to the BS I’ve put on Twitter.”

The benefits are reciprocal: Fans feel like winners by digital association with winners, and jocks receive no-fuss contact with them. But risks remain. Just ask the tweeting NBA player whose followers urged him to try a nail salon—where TMZ caught him getting a manicure. Still, Twitter’s popularity in sports likely won’t abate with gems like this from Shaquille O’Neal: “Dam manny ramirez, come on man Agggggggggh, agggggggh, agggggh.”

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal Tweeets during the half-time of games.
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal Tweeets during the half-time of games.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
A sports reporter learns of the New England Patriots first choice in the 2009 NFL Draft.
A sports reporter learns of the New England Patriots first choice in the 2009 NFL Draft.   (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal Tweeets during game half-times.
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal Tweeets during game half-times.   (AP Photo/Thearon W. Henderson)
Colin Montgomerie of Scotland uses his cell phone during a practice round on the North Course at the Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields, Illinois.
Colin Montgomerie of Scotland uses his cell phone during a practice round on the North Course at the Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields, Illinois.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

In this world we live in now, everybody becomes media. If something is going to be said, hey, it's coming from me, it's coming from my phone. - Shaquille O'Neal, who has more than a million followers

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
2 comments
VIEWING:
 
kokuaguy
Jun 7, 09 7:37 PM CDT
So, did you hear that YouTube, twitter, & facebook are going to merge? The new platform will be know as YouTWITface. blame Conan not me !!! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
RobN
Jun 7, 09 8:19 PM CDT
Actually it's Stewart Cink. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

83 Stories

Stung by Bias Charges, Twitter Will Stop Suggestions

List of people to follow 'will be going away'

Nov 16, 09 3:28 PM CST
(Newser) - A little bird named Biz Stone tells reporters that Twitter’s much-maligned “suggested users” list is getting kicked out of the nest. The feature, which encourages new users to follow a handful of celebrities, has been mired in controversy over the selection process. Republicans, for example, have claimed it... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • social networking • celebrity • Twitter • Biz Stone • tweet • Twitter suggested users • Twitter celebrity

the final frontier

Shuttle Launch Comes With Real-World 'Tweetup'

NASA Twitter followers get front-row seats

Nov 15, 09 3:01 PM CST
(Newser) - Final preparations for tomorrow's space shuttle launch include inspecting Atlantis, briefing the six-person crew, and making sure followers of NASA's Twitter feed can see from where they're sitting. The first 100 people to register for the event received 2-day passes that include an in-person look at the launch. "I'm... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NASA • social networking • astronauts • space shuttle • International Space Station • Cape Canaveral • Atlantis Space Shuttle • Twitter • tweet • Bobby Satcher

A VOID FILLED

 Palin Makes Twitter Comeback 

Gov will return to 140-character musings for book tour

Nov 10, 09 8:42 AM CST
(Newser) - Currently unemployed politician Sarah Palin will return to her prolific tweeting career for her upcoming book tour, reports the AP . The erstwhile governor quit both her post and Twitter feed simultaneously earlier this year, but announced on Facebook last night that she'll again provide devoted and scornful followers alike with... More »

MORE ABOUT:
social networking • Facebook • Sarah Palin • Twitter • tweet • Going Rogue

83 Stories


MLB manager sues Twitter
Associated Press


Sports  •  Technology 
TwitterFollow @NewserSports on Twitter

 
NBA • athlete • coach • Shaquille O'Neal • Twitter • sports fans • tweet

from our news partners