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Matt Malm, Ultimate Sports Fan
For several months we have wanted to interview someone who has "seen it all" in sports. In order to get an opinion on who is providing their fans with the best entertainment value, you need to talk with someone who has seen all the teams. After tossing around the idea of interviewing a beat writer or referee we have found a man who has seen it all. Matt Malm.
Matt Malm is the ultimate sports fan. When the Titans played the Rams in SuperBowl XXXIV in Atlanta, Matt Malm was there. In January 2001 at Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, Matt Malm will be there. And during every day in between Matt Malm will be there at a sports event.
Matt Malm was issued a challenge by his co-worker/brother-in-law. In a discussion about how long one guy could stay on the road touring sporting events, Matt said he could last a year. He is now about one third through the year and still going strong.
We contacted Matt from the road to see if he would share some thoughts on the entertainment and operations he has seen so far on the tour. He joined us from Indianapolis with insights on mascots, contests, and stadium food that only the ultimate sports fan could have.
Gameops.com: So tell us how this started.
Matt Malm: My brother-in-law and I have been touring around sporting events for our company, Pro Performance Marketing. We had both been on long trips with multiple events and we talked about how long you could go on the road. I said one year....and he called me on it.
Gameops.com: Let's first ask the obvious question. How are you surviving on arena food?
Matt Malm: It is definitely hard to eat healthy. I think I put on 5 pounds in the first month. I make an effort to get out and jog on the nice days.
Gameops.com: Now back to the hard hitting interview our readers demand. What teams are you targeting and how many do you expect to get to during your year on the road? Are there any holes in the schedule?
Matt Malm: We wanted to get to every team in all 4 leagues, but I am not sure we can do that for the NFL. We already have seen every NBA team and 13 NHL teams. This summer we will see every Major League baseball stadium and a ton of minor league teams.
In looking at the schedule we are a little worried about October, but we will find events. We have even talked about Bowling tournaments or Lumberjack competitions. I mean they are sports fans too, and that is what the trip is all about.
Gameops.com: Gameops.com is a site for the people that create the entertainment at events. How much attention are you paying to the entertainment at the games?
Matt Malm: I pay a lot of attention to it. As a sports fan I believe that teams must focus on the fans experience, and the entertainment is a big part of that. Fans pay a lot of money and they need to be entertained.
Gameops.com: Lets talk about some of the entertainment components and who stood out as providing the highest quality. How about team introductions?
Matt Malm: The one that really stood out for me was the Utah Jazz. They do such a tremendous job with the lights and pyro. There fans were the loudest in the league.
The Chicago Bulls' introductions are also incredible. Even though it is not as wild as when Jordan was there, it is still really special. I think they have the best PA announcer in the league.
Gameops.com: Being located here in Portland and seeing quite a few of the NBA introductions I have always thought Portland really does a great job. How did they rate for you?
Matt Malm: Portland was really strong. The Rose Garden is really an awesome building. I thought overall that the NBA is a little down in terms of fan support, probably still hurting from the lock-out. But there didn't seem to be a drop-off in the fans in Portland. They were definitely in the top five.
Gameops.com: What are the best promotions and contests you have seen?
Matt Malm: The Chicago Bulls did what I believe was the best promotion I saw all year long. They have a race using three of the inflatable mascot costumes. It was really cool.
A lot of teams have those costumes and the real mascots are inside, but Chicago has three of the costumes and they put real fans inside. They are really going all out for the fans in that case. The fans are in a promotion on the court and they even get to experience what it's like to be a mascot.
Overall I am a big fan of the blimps flying around dropping prizes and the slingshot/air cannons. They are such a direct sign that teams are giving back to the fans.
Gameops.com: How about concourse entertainment?
Matt Malm: A couple teams used live bands, the Detroit Pistons and the Dallas Mavericks. I thought that was a different spin. The Utah Jazz also had a band outside.
A lot of teams are providing fans with the Fan/Kids Zones with inflatable games. I think that fans really enjoy those.
The Spurs do the biggest fan area, in the Alamodome behind the seating areas. They have a mini-NBA Jam Session there with a ton of games and inflatables.
Gameops.com: Have you had the chance to see many halftime acts or in-game acts?
Matt Malm: At one point I could have been touring with the Gentlemen Jugglers since I saw them three times in a week. I also have seen Christopher and the guys who do the show on the big trampolines. The best act was this lady who rode a unicycle and flipped plates onto her head
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