Mike launched a Facebook fan site.  I squeed.  This is the one and only time I will ever find sloppy grammar adorable!  He posted this video in which he’s half-asleep.  At any moment, Bettman is going to appear behind him in a ski mask and make him read a manifesto condemning hits to the head and the sale of the Coyotes.

The Real World: DC

I’m kidding!  I think this is great.  The NHL GMs meet today to discuss lots of things, including a social media policy (or lack thereof) for players on Twitter and Facebook.  I really hope they don’t decide to start policing this stuff – it’s absolutely fantastic for the fans.  Some of the content is off-color, but we let other celebrities talk, get political, all that.  If BizNasty wants to post a picture of himself giving a homeless guy a fiver, then rock on!  And (grimace) the Capitals have the best social media presence of any team in the League.

So Mike.  Sure we could get him to look at the camera and and take the ‘ out of fan’s, but who cares?  Some people think Mike is dumb – I disagree.  He’s smart enough to be marketing himself instead of letting (hoping/waiting for?) the League to do it for him. They only see Crosby and Ovechkin.  Mike’s doing a national (American!!) ad campaign for GEICO while other guys are hawking pool supplies and local auto dealerships (nothing wrong with it, Talbot, just making a point).  Green is doing something right and I’m pretty sure he’s doing with a lot less help.

My inner publicist loves this.  I wish more of the players (or their media departments) would make a go of something similar.  How much fun would it be for the fans to see more personal interaction with the players? The NHL ranks 7th in American sports attendance numbers (as of 1/10) but is actually 5th according to a recent Harris Poll.  That’s just above the NBA and far higher than golf or tennis (source).  We are getting there!  Now get out there and work it.  (Or hire me and Dawn to work it for you.)