Best of 2004: The Gameops.com Review

Our annual review of all things operations and entertainment was done by polling a dozen of our most trusted non-biased industry pros.

Of course in an industry so spread out and diverse, it is impossible to find a large group of people who have see it all, but effort was made to find people who have seen a lot.

We also took note of stories and reviews from web sources and industry literature. Six categories have been selected.

Our selections are in:

• Best Mascot
• Best Act
• Best Vendor
• Best Game Promotion
• Best Contest or On-field Promotion
• Best Team Operations
• Other Notes on the Best of 2004

Best Mascot:

The mascot whose work was creative and enthusiastic, serving as a valuable tool for their team and in their community. All sports team characters and college mascots are eligible.

 

Winner: The Gorilla (Phoenix Suns)

The second-generation Gorilla is still going strong in his sixteenth season. While the role of the mascot has changed in Phoenix over the years, the Gorilla continues to adapt and bring value and experience to the Suns. Their "Book the Gorilla" school program is one of the best school programs and sets the standard for mascots.

 

• Best Mascot
• Best Act
• Best Vendor
• Best Game Promotion
• Best Contest or On-field Promotion
• Best Team Operations
• Other Notes on the Best of 2004

Best Mascot:

The mascot whose work was creative and enthusiastic, serving as a valuable tool for their team and in their community. All sports team characters and college mascots are eligible.

 

Winner: The Gorilla (Phoenix Suns)

The second-generation Gorilla is still going strong in his sixteenth season. While the role of the mascot has changed in Phoenix over the years, the Gorilla continues to adapt and bring value and experience to the Suns. Their "Book the Gorilla" school program is one of the best school programs and sets the standard for mascots.

Honorable Mention:

• Squatch
• Hugo the Hornet

Last year's co-winner Squatch and perennial top performer Hugo the Hornet stood out from a pack of 5 or 6 outstanding nominees this year. Hugo has become the centerpiece of the New Orleans game entertainment in just 2 short years and Squatch continues to out-perform on and off the court.

 

Notes:

The Best Mascot award continues to be the province of the NBA performers, with all but a couple nominations and votes coming in for NBA mascots. The NBA seems to be downplaying mascots slightly in recent years, but that is not stopping several of the top mascots from shining through and becoming tremendous assets for their teams.

Best Act:

The touring act or halftime show that excels in providing quality entertainment for your fans. Consider drawing power, quality, cooperation of the act, media, and value. All touring acts and non-team affiliated shows and performers are considered.

 

Winner: Red Panda Acrobat

Unicycling bowl-flipping acts are uncommon (from what we can tell), and the Red Panda Acrobat show is certainly uncommon. Fans are treated to an amazing display of balance and precision and teams are treated to an easy to work with performer who is nearly flawless.

Honorable Mention:

• Zooperstars

An absolute home run for baseball teams, the Zooperstars continue to keep their act fresh with new characters and funny antics.

Notes:

New acts continue to be scarce, so the old reliable acts have been pressured to keep their acts fresh and interesting. Many teams noted that they have acts they would prefer not to use, but the options can be limited. The traditional favorites remain at the top of everyone's list.

 

Best Vendor:

The provider of quality services or products that are most helpful for game operations. Consider service, products offered, and value.

Winner: Game Ops Commander

With the explosion of downloadable music available, the flexibility of your audio replay system has become more important. The ability to directly and easily import MP3 files is key to creating the best audio presentation, and Game Ops Commander's updated 3.0 version excels with the newer file types. Great service and support help make Game Ops Commander the Best Vendor pick in 2004.

Honorable Mention:

• Signs and Shapes

The best inflatable costumes, a creative staff, and a move towards creating new products and props helped Signs and Shapes rise to the top again this year.

Best Game Promotion:

What single game night promotion was most effective and creative. An example would be "President's Night" where a team builds a game day promotion around a theme like "President's Night", perhaps handing out US flags and having namesakes like "George Washington, Richard Nixon, and George Bush" dropping the puck for a game held on President's Day. Consider creativity, entertainment value, media exposure, drawing power, and execution of the operations.

Winner: Mullet Night (Manchester Monarchs)

The Manchester Monarchs brought back Mullet Night for the second year in a row, providing fans with giveaway Mullets and a special appearance by the Hanson Brothers.

The Manchester Mullet Night has become a tradition. In 2004 they inducted the Hanson Brothers into the Mullet Hall of Fame (2003 was Barry Melrose).

In addition:

• First 5,000 fans receive Mullet wigs (we had blonde, brown, or dark brown colors)
• First 5,000 fans received a mullet brochure that explained the nights festivities (see the attached .pdf file)
• The Hanson Brothers were inducted into the fictitious Mullet Hall of Fame
• Mullet of the Game contest was held
• Video board featured mullet wars which put stars garnishing a mullet against each other. By applause, winners were chosen and advanced on to the next round. (i.e.. Patrick Swayze vs.. Randy Johnson)
• Players wore mullet wigs during the warm-ups
• The night was sold out and received national exposure on ESPN sports center and ESPN NHL2 night as well as many other network affiliates.

 

Honorable Mention:

• Fireworks Nights

Fireworks Nights are growing as many teams took to repeat Fireworks shows all summer long. (numerous teams)

• Kids Run the Show Day (Anaheim Angels)

Kids took over the show at Anaheim Angels game this year in their "Kids Run the Show" Day. Including PA announcing, anthem singing, first call, guest radio announcer. (MLB Angels)

• Bobblehead eBay (Stockton Ports)

The Stockton Ports Baseball Club, Class-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers auctioned on eBay, a custom bobblehead giveaway. The winning bidder could select their own image for the bobblehead which was given away as a premium to fans. “These two auction items enable anyone in the USA to bid for a chance to become part of America’s Pastime,” said John Katz, Ports general manager. “Any Tom, Dick or Jane could immortalize themselves and sit on the mantle with other sports bobbleheads.”

Included with each auction item is a trip to Billy Hebert Field, home of the Ports, including air and/or ground transportation, hotel accommodations, tickets to a Ports home game, ceremonial first pitch honors, an official Ports home uniform jersey and a team-autographed bat.

Notes:

Mullet Night is a great example of a promotion made better when a team really gets behind it and finds many ways to integrate the theme into the night. Guest appearances by the Hanson Brothers, mullet hair giveaways, a contest for best mullet, and (in year one) a visit by Mullet-legend Barry Melrose helped take this from a hair-style to an award winning night.

Best Contest or On-Field Promotion:

What promotion or contest is the most entertaining. For example, a "Chuck-a-puck" contest. This is a repeatable on-field promotion that is held in-game. Consider entertainment value, sponsorship possibilities, cost, and repeatability.

 

Winner: Human Sling Shot Hockey*

The Human Sling Shot remains a fan-favorite and a spectacle that most fans would wait in line for. Some basketball teams have even imported the idea with a wheeled cart.

Honorable Mention:

• Prize Wheels
• World's Largest T-shirt Toss - Houston Rockets

Notes:

If your team has a memorable and entertaining on-field contest please be sure to nominate it. Our nominations were somewhat thin in this category in 2004. Fan favorites like the Sausage Races gained often connect with local culture, so please note the connection if its not clear.

Best Team Operations:

Which team is doing the best job in their game operations and game presentation. Consider creativity, value to fans, overcoming sport and budget limitations, quality of presentation, and attention to detail. We level the playing field by considering budget constraints to minor league teams.

 

Winner (tie): Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Thrashers

Pittsburgh is simply a team that does it all well. Innovative promotions, great execution and great use of their tools....making Pittsburgh a great place to watch a game.

Atlanta also combines creativity with tremendous execution. Their in-game video presentation is routinely regarded as one of the best in the NHL.

Honorable Mention:

• Dayton Dragons

The Dayton Dragons, like the Saint Paul Saints, live up to their reputation as one of the best each year.

• Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus is consistently brought up as one of the NHL's premiere game experiences.

• Sacramento Kings

The Kings are blessed with a passionate fan base, but they do an excellent job feeding the flames. The charismatic owners set the tone.

• Dallas Mavericks

Dallas does more with more....meaning they throw tremendous resources behind their game presentation. For some that means an amazing show, others see it as overkill. In the end everyone talks about Dallas and their budget never limits their creativity.

• DC United (MLS)

DC United stands out in the MLS with a focus on game presentation that balances entertainment with their core soccer focus. The best in the MLS and in the mold the Minnesota Wild with a unique presentation that is true to their individual team goals.

Notes:

One interesting note among this years winners. Many of these teams have lost key players in the game presentation staff in the last year, including Game Directors in Atlanta (who shifted to the Hawks) and Sacramento Kings. It will be interesting to see these teams with new personnel in a year.

Additional Information

• Winners may use the "Best of 2004" logo and award designation in there promotion material or web site.

* The Human Hockey Puck Sling Shot is a promotion also offered through The Gameops.com Store.

Related Links:

Best of 2003: The Gameops.com Review
Best of 2007: The Gameops.com Review
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pro Panel - The Bobblehead Bungle
Human Sling Shot/Human Hockey Puck
Feng Shui Fountain