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Tag: demand

A Fanless US Open

At any tennis match it’s not unusual to hear sounds like whacking, grunting, and sneaker scuffing on the court, but it would be a very different experience to hear no cheering after each point. This is the possible future we may face during the US Open 2020. If the US Open happens according to schedule, will there be a crowd for the athletes to play for?

Founded in 1881, the US Open has been a yearly tennis staple for people around the world. These athletes train their whole lives for a chance to compete with the best on the US Open stage. 2020 will be celebrating its 140th year of the Open, but for fans it may be viewed a bit different. A tennis match is generally a rather silent event. It is tennis etiquette to only cheer and clap after points are awarded, and the crowd is never very “rowdy,” but without fans at all, it will make for an eerie silence for the players and officials. The 2020 US Open is scheduled to take place in USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY from August 31 to September 13, 2020. If this event happens according to plan, it will be the second Grand Slam in 2020. The French Open has been postponed until September as of now, while Wimbledon has been cancelled for the first time since 1945.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on June 16th his plan to continue to honor the US Open but have it be fanless this year. It will be a shame that the fans will have to miss watching their favorites compete head to head for the US Open title, but for the safety and well-being of the athletes and the spectators, the right decision was made. There is one thing for sure to be on the minds of the spectator: they can not wait for 2021.

View A Fanless US Open

Covid Virtual Entertainment Talk – From Our Very Own Alexandra Skomra

Our Very Own Alexandra Skomra

Raise your hand if you had an event cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19. I bet almost everyone who is reading this has their hand up. This virus has taken a toll on the world as a whole, but has certainly stripped us from the entertainment we crave. If that show you planned on attending this summer was virtual, would you pay to watch?

The idea of virtual entertainment is one that could help change the industry, at least for the time being. What would draw fans in to pay money to view this type of entertainment? Many celebrities have been doing at home events since the start of Covid. What would a paid for event entail? Would this be a success for both the performer and their audience?

I am an avid Taylor Swift fan and was supposed to be travelling to Boston to see her in early August. I have considered if I would pay now to see her virtually or if that would not be as good as being in the stadium with her. As I continued to think about this, I wondered how a virtual “meet and greet” might sweeten the deal and make a paid for virtual event worth it. If I knew that Taylor was picking her most loyal fans to receive a zoom call after the event, I would definitely see the value in a ticket to that virtual show. I would even find value in paying for the zoom call, although I am aware that spots would be limited. Other ways to interact would be song voting where the audience could interact with her. There can also be a message board where she could read fan messages. Because the event was paid for, it would eliminate the “hate” or negativity she may otherwise have in a similar platform, such as an instagram live. Merchandise could still be purchased for the event. Another unique feature could be creating an “avatar” to virtually enter the audience with. This avatar could potentially interact with other avatars to make the fan interaction still alive and well. This feature would open up hours before the event to allow fans to make friends and “sit” with whomever they wanted.

This idea is very abstract considering the shows we are all accustomed to, but it would change how we watch shows and attend events. Even once Covid-19 is a thing of the past, this option could be available to those who may not be able to attend the regularly scheduled events. The cost of this ticket would be lower with potential upgrades available, but all and all it could be a way to provide us with entertainment during this time when we so desperately want it.

Would you be willing to give it a shot?

View Covid Virtual Entertainment Talk – From Our Very Own Alexandra Skomra

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