Fan Fests, Playoff Parties & Tweets...Oh My!

April and May were exciting months for Ohio sports fans as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Columbus Blue Jackets participated in the 2009 NBA and NHL playoffs. FOX Sports Ohio joined as a co-sponsor of the Cavaliers Fan Fests and Blue Jackets Playoff Parties – events that gave fans an opportunity to have fun and show support for their teams.

For each and every home playoff game, Cavs fans of all ages flocked to the Gateway Plaza located between Quicken Loans Arena and Progressive Field to participate in various games and activities. Family-friendly and free to the public, Fan Fest included everything from dance competitions to shooting contests. At the FOX Sports Ohio tent, fans played cornhole and made signs to cheer on the team and root for their favorite players.

Crowds gathered on the plaza just outside Nationwide Arena prior to home playoff games to participate in the Blue Jackets Playoff Parties. Free and open to the public, the event included many activities including face painting and ticket raffles. At the FOX Sports Ohio tent, fans had a free chance to spin the “Prize Wheel” to win various prizes – no one walked away empty handed.
Both events were extremely successful in involving fans in the post-season action. Congratulations to the Cavaliers and Blue Jackets!
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Cavs Playoff Twitter

When TNT picked up the NBA playoffs, FOX Sports Ohio continued to cover Cavs Playoffs with pre- and post-game Cavaliers Live shows, presented by KIA Motors, and in-game Twitter commentary. When the Cavs played at home, the Cavaliers Live shows were anchored from the FOX Sports Ohio Aaron’s Studio in Broadview Heights.

When the Cavs played at Orlando in round three, the network broadcasted the live pre- and post-game shows from Quicken Loans Arena at the Cavs Watch Parties. Fans attending the events were able to watch our announcers on “Q-Tube,” the arena’s center-hung HD quality video scoreboard.

At the conclusion of the pre-game show, Cavaliers announcers Austin Carr, Campy Russell and Jeff Phelps went from TV to Twitter, where they posted their in-game reactions. Fans who wanted to know what their hometown announcers were saying throughout the game could follow their “tweets” beginning at tip off.