The U.S. Sports Social Media Report By Braveheart Sports Network for September 2011 shows that the Los Angeles Lakers are far and away the most dominate US sports franchise in social media.

Braveheart Sports Network looked at the number of Twitter followers and Facebook fans that every NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB and MLS team has, to see who is winning the social media battle online.

It is rare that a brand and/or team can successfully execute a winning social media strategy on both Twitter and Facebook, but the Lakers have found a way to dominate both social media platforms.

Twitter
With over 2.1m followers the Lakers dominate with over 2.1m followers, basically double that of the next most followed team which are the Orlando Magic (just over 1m followers). The 2.1m Lakers followers makes them the second most followed sports club on Twitter behind Spain’s Real Madrid who have 2.3m followers.

Out of the top most followed sports teams 4 are from the NBA, 4 from MLB and 1 from the NFL and NFL

Surprisingly, only 18 out of the 141 US sports franchises in the report have more than 100,000 Twitter followers showing that either US pro teams have not fully embraced Twitter yet. There is a huge opportunity on Twitter that is being missed by 87% of US sports teams.

Top Ten US Sports Franchises With Most Twitter Followers

Facebook
As mentioned above, not only do the Lakers dominate on Twitter, they also dominate on Facebook, with over 10m followers. That number is almost double that of their rival the Boston Celtics who have 5.3m fans

Out of the top ten most followed sports teams 4 are from the NBA, 2 from MLB and 4 from the NFL

The NFL teams do a much better job embracing Facebook than they do with Twitter, while the opposite is true of the NHL who only has one club in the top 20 rankings of Facebook followers.

With 24 out of the 141 US sports franchises in the report having more than 1m Facebook fans, it appears that that pro teams are doing a slightly better job embracing Facebook than they are Twitter.

But there is still a huge opportunity on Facebook that is being missed by 8 out or 10 (83% ) US sports franchises.

Ten US Sports Franchises With Most Facebook Fans

Data as of September 10, 2011

The English Premier League Social Media Report By Braveheart Sports Network for September 2011 shows that Arsenal and Manchester United are the two most popular Premier League clubs on the social media sites Twitter and Facebook.

Braveheart Sports Network looked at the number of Twitter followers and Facebook fans that every Premier League team has, to see who is winning the social media battle online.

Twitter
When it comes to Twitter, Arsenal is dominating everyone in the Premier League with 890,548 followers. That is nearly that of Liverpool who is in second place with 452,663 followers.

Surprisingly missing from the list is Manchester United and Swansea City who do not have an official Twitter account.

The Premier League teams as the bottom of the Twitter fame list are West Brom with 2,829 followers and Wigan with 5,572. The average Premier League club has just under 116,000 followers.

Facebook
As mentioned above, Manchester United, who are arguably the biggest brand name in the Premier League, do not have a Twitter account. Instead United have decided to put all their social media marketing efforts towards Facebook, and the numbers show that the strategy is working.

Manchester United have almost 19 million Facebook fans, more than double the next two clubs; Arsenal (7.4m fans) and Chelsea (7.1m fans)

Interesting the four Premier League sides with the most Facebook fans are Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, which had been the traditional top four finishers over the last ten years.

The big club that has made the biggest jump on the pitch is Manchester City. While City has had a lot of success on the pitch, it is not having the same success in social media. On Facebook, Man City has less than a million Facebook fans and just over 100,000 twitter followers, decidedly average numbers.

Sam Bradford had a workout for some scouts who REALLY want to draft him.  I was listening to the radio on the way home yesterday and one reporter who was there said it was the best workout by a QB prospect since Troy Aikman.

Now, that sounds all fine and dandy, but we’re getting all “romantic” about Sam Bradford because his arm is healed and all that and forgetting about all the OTHER QBs who have had great initial workouts.

Rick Mirer got drafted because he had good workouts.  So did Ryan Leaf.  What about all the guys who didn’t have great workouts–Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson–oh yeah, those guys won Super Bowls.

I know the “new age” thing to do is draft a rookie QB and start him and he’ll be the wave of the future but that’s only worked in Atlanta and Baltimore to this point.  Just because they did it doesn’t mean you get to do it too!

Moreover, do the Rams REALLY think they are in a position like the Falcons and Ravens.  The Falcons and Ravens were LITERALLY a QB away from being good teams.

The Rams are a QB, defense, OLine, and young receivers away from being a decent team.  Steve Spagnoulo has NOTHING to work with in St. Louis.  Everyone is going to KILL him for not taking Ndamokung Suh.  However…

Can you blame them for taking a QB when you think that might–one day–turn around your franchise?  I can’t.  If you think this kid is THE FUTURE then take him.

However, we all know that everyone is going to go nuts over this and want him to start day one.  Now you’re in a dilemma.  Do the smart thing and let him learn or start him day one and hope he doesn’t turn into David Carr.

That single-season “being sacked” record is out there for the taking.

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photo credit: Keith Allison

And we thought Jeter was good.

The Yankees already have the highest payroll in baseball.  Now, they have the hottest commodity in baseball.  Pat Venditte is ambidextrous AND he can pitch–well.  He came in relief of C.C. Sabathia in spring training yesterday and managed to show good stuff from both sides of the mound.  Southpaw–righty–he doesn’t really care.

Not only is it impressive, but it’s scary.  I don’t think we’re going to see a rash of switch-pitching prospects–because it’s freaking hard–but we are going to see a rash of maniac parents trying to make their kids into switch-pitchers.  It would be the Tyler Hansbrough syndrome.  “You were BORN for this” will be the phrase du jour.

Also, this could really tie up the game.  I don’t think we have rules for this as of yet, but we need some.  I’ve seen video of this guy tangling with a switch-hitter who kept changing sides of the plate every time Venditte changed hands to pitch.  I’m not sure if an umpire can make you stop that–I’m sure they can–but I’m also pretty sure that the league will get their fair share of complaints as games that Venditte pitched in went really long.

With a dude who can choose hands he can take all day to throw a pitch.  He can change hands just to get someone out at third or first.  He can do a number of things that take time.

I’m not saying that he doesn’t have skills, but there is an art to working with what you’ve got.  I don’t think MLB should make him choose a side before the game, but they should come up with a “limited number of switches” or something per game.

I know the umpires can make things happen, but they don’t have to constantly tell pitchers and batters to stop changing up on each other.

I don’t want games to run long, but I do want to see greatness.  I hope Venditte can be great and not just a gimmick.  Let’s hope the Yankees use him well and use him right.

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Okay, I don’t believe I am going to say this. After all when the wild card was first introduced into baseball I said to myself, “What is this the NFL? Wildcards like crying don’t belong in baseball.” But then the wildcard came and guess what I kind of liked it. I guess I like any change that gives my teams a chance to go to playoffs. After all since wild card started in 1995 it has allowed the Yankees and Mets each two extra trips to the playoffs. More teams getting to the playoffs can’t be a bad thing. Right?

Heck, without the wild card, Boston would have waited even longer without a World Series win. Heck without the wildcard, Florida wouldn’t have either of their World series. The Angels also owe their World Series win the wildcard. My one hang up with the wild card is that in a way it kind of cheapens the division champs as the wildcard has pretty much the same odds as winning the World Series.

I have a way of fixing this. I think each league should add a second wild card. The teams with the top two records in each league that don’t win the division become the wildcards. The wildcards then would play each other in a one game winner move to the next round, loser go home game. The winner of these games would then play the team in their league with best records. The team with the best record would get to choose if the game is played the day after the wildcard game or two days after. Doing it this way we get the best of both worlds. More teams in the playoffs (Texas and the Marlins would have been playoff teams last year.) Fans (and TV) get an exciting winner take all game that would hopefully also allow the other playoff teams to rest and heal up a bit. It’s win win for everybody.

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photo credit: Rich Anderson

Can YOU do that with a sore back?

Roy Oswalt had a back injection and now he’s ready for Houston’s Opener next week.  It would be one thing if her were w young guy, but he isn’t.  Is a back injection really going to do the trick?

I mean, I like Roy Oswalt, but Roy’s getting up there.  He’ll turn 33 this season.  I’m a year younger than Roy and I know I’m not a pro athlete, but if I needed a back injection to get ready to play a baseball that means I am HURTING!!!

Does this mean he’s debilitated?  No.  Does this mean he might have slowed down?  Yes.

You see, I don’t think the Astros forced Roy out onto the mound, but if he’s asking for a back injection so he can pitch Opening Day doesn’t the team need to say, “We’re cutting you off”?

Make him sit a couple weeks and heal up and let HIS debut be a big deal too.  Not only will you sell more tickets that way, but he’ll be TRULY ready to go–not “You stuck a needle in me so I’m ready to go”–ready to go.

This shines a light on teams having control over players.  Brett Favre got sat in the second half of a game last season because he was being killed–so said his coach.  His coach said, “That’s not a hill you’re gonna die on”.  Well, is Opening Day a hill–or mound–that the Astros are willing to let Roy die on?

I certianly hope not.  Personally, I hope it goes well for him, but I know that Roy isn’t 22 anymore and sometimes you just can’t do the things you used to do.  We all know Roy’s got power and he intimidates batters.

But no batter in the league is going to be intimidated if his back isn’t right.  Every one will be able to tell and everyone will smell the blood in the water.

Be careful Roy–we like you.

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photo credit: leafar.

The Pick: Just Fontaine? Just one of the best French soccer players ever! Mr. Fontaine was born in Morocco, but he did his most damage in a blue jersey for France. His career was cut short by injury, but he managed to make enough of an impression in his 200 pro games and 21 international matches that he deserves inclusion here. After all, he did still score 166 pro goals and 30 for les Bleus. You read that correctly, that’s 30 goals in 21 matches. 

The Flick: That’s insane. The Stade Reims star notched most of those goals at the 1958 World Cup when he won the Golden Boot for scoring 13 goals, a record that may never be broken. In fact, his 13 goals from that one Cup lands him at #3 all-time. Why isn’t he higher up? Because he didn’t do too much else. What actor gave one amazing performance and otherwise disappeared. Tom Hulce from Amadeus. He looks like Fontaine just a little bit too.

The Limerick: These rhymes will do you no justice Just, sorry:

Many men think Casablanca was just a place on the silver screen

But Just Fontaine grew up there, and knows the streets are mean

He managed to escape

Then in ‘58 left ‘em agape

And later left ladies in awe with his “personal” hygiene

photo credit: wonker

Starting this Wednesday March 31st, Barcelona will begin their quarterfinals two match aggregate battle with the Gunners.  The first leg is due to be played in England with the second leg being held at Camp Nou.  Lets take a brief look at Arsenal’s squad.

THE PAST

When it comes to the Gunners past there is one figure of recent memory that deserves more credit then any other.  Frenchman and current Barca star Thierry Henry played for the Gunners for 8 fabulous years and over the span the club had some of their most successful seasons winning Premiership titles and becoming a dynasty at the turn of the millenium.  But since Henry’s departure the top four club went through a minor rebuilding period and is just resurfacing on the elite level they currently reside on. 

THE PRESENT

The Gunners are the dark horse to winning the EPL this season and the title lead is within their grasp right now.  The club has one of the best young players in the game in Cesc Fabregas and the midfielder and captain of the the Gunners is enjoying a breakout year with the squad and the youngster will also be featured this summer for Spain in the World Cup.  Nicolas Bendtner has recently showed significant improvement and is considered a solid forward up front along with Russian import Arshavin out on the wing.  The club’s defense is their Achilles heel and their keeper situation is below average for this elite stage.

THE PREDICTION

I think Arsenal can score with the best of them and they do have a young team full of massive potential, but Barca is the best team in the world and I can’t not pick them.  The defensive woes that Arsenal has shown at times is what seals it for me.  With all of those talented star players firing lasers in the box some of these scores might get a bit silly.  And Arsenal also will have the tough situation of Fabregas potentially playing even though he will not be 100% healthy.  This gives Barca a huge advantage considering Van Persie is out as well for the Gunners.

Final Two Match Prediction: 5-3 Barcelona

photo credit: -MRTN-

The Pick: Alessandro Costacurta becomes a deserving member of the Bard’s Top 100 today, and I can’t say that it has nothing to do with the fact that his wife is one of the finest specimens God has ever chiseled with his holy… um… chisel, I guess. I mean, seriously, google “Martina Colombari”. You’ll thank me. Just google “Miss Italy” while you are at it and you will see why it is very good to be an Italian soccer star. Costacurta’s career was also a beauty. 

The Flick: The man played his whole career with Milan, where he won five Champions League titles and seven Scudettos. He also donated his efforts to Italy’s National Team, the Azzurri, in nearly 60 matches. Despite all these accolades, I still think of him as the guy with the smoking hot SATO WAG of the Week. What actor also dates an Italian Wag and would also look very good playing Costacurta in a film. Why, it’s George Clooney, of course. 

The Limerick: Alessandro, watch Clooney around Martina, that man’s incorrigible!

Costacurta is a legend honored without reproach

He had the type of skills that one cannot coach

His statistics were silly

  That kid they called “Billy”

Twas’ both goals and a beauty he did poach

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This is not the first time neither is it going to be the last time we hear of Mourinho’s unhappiness in the Serie A. The ’special one’ has yet again come out saying that he is a very unhappy man in the Italian league. Now if you are an Inter fan, this is not the kind of news you would like to hear before a crucial quarter final fixture in the Champions League.

According to Mourinho, he does not like Italian football and it does not like him. It is as simple as that.

“I always speak in a very honest way and if I do it about Serie A I will be suspended. My situation is clear. I am very happy at Inter but not in Italian football,” the former Chelsea coach told Sky Sports. Asked why, he said: “Because I don’t like it and it doesn’t like me, simple.”

There is no doubt that these comments are bound to fuel speculation that he might leave Inter at the end of the summer. Mourinho has had a tough time adapting to the Italian way of football and his relationship with the media has been less than rosy.

Mourinho has been fined by the Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio (Italian football federation) severally for his outspoken nature and behavior and yet he wonders why ‘evreyone is out to get him’. Now don’t get me wrong Mourinho is a fantastic coach in fact he has to act the way he does. Just look at the level of success he has had in his past posts. There are very few if any who can match what the Portuguese has achieved in his rather short coaching career.

That said i stil think Inter does better. Mourinho has to realise that his frequent comments have an effect on his players. If he can lead them to European glory then maybe he can bring his contract to end on mutual terms. That said, it still will be amazing to see how this whole issues comes to end.

Photo credit: Pupipanu

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