The Ten Most Followed Sports Teams on Twitter

Social Networking has become a key component for marketing sports franchises, and college athletic programs. Teams are able to use them as a tool to keep in touch with fans, gather suggestions and publish promotions, press releases, news, and post game quotes and stats. Social Networking is also perfect for in-game updates.

Sports Networker.com recently released a list of the top ten teams in sports worldwide that use twitter.

10) San Diego Chargers

The Chargers fortunes changed when they traded the rights to the number one pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons used the pick on Michael Vick and the Chargers drafted LaDainian Tomlinson, and a second round pick in Drew Brees.

The Chargers have been one of the most successful teams during the last decade. The Chargers realize that they have to reach out to fans and the media beyond the traditional venues. They use twitter for breaking news, fans reaction to questions and topics, and to promote various aspects of their team.

http://twitter.com/chargers
37,364 Followers

9) New England Patriots

The New England Patriots were the most successful team during the first decade of the 21st Century. They use their twitter page for breaking news, to promote charity events, and to provide updates on what Patriots personnel are up to in the off-season.

http://twitter.com/realpatriots
39, 201 followers

8) Boston Celtics

The Celtics are one of the most storied sports franchises in the world. but that doesn't mean they have sit on their laurels. They have realized that social media is an important part of getting out your message and connecting with fans.

They use their sites for posting video, quotes from coach Doc Rivers, and team updates.

47, 113 followers
@celtics

7) Cleveland Cavaliers

The cadavers have regained the Cavaliers behind LeBron James. The King and Akron native has almost completely turned around the franchise. Now he faces a momentous decision this summer. Where he ends up will determine the future of the NBA, and numerous franchises pursuing him.

The Cavs use Twitter for press releases, in-game updates, and for promotions. However they seem to be slowing down a bit in the off-season, considering they recently went six days between Tweets.

50, 473 followers
@Cavs

6) Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens are different than the other North American teams in the sense that they have a natural bi-lingual following. Many of their Tweets and Tweeters post in both French and English. They really make their site interactive.They recently posted questions, and polls for the fans in addition to the more traditional uses for Twitter.

53,444 Followers
http://twitter.com/CanadiensMTL

5) New York Yankees

As the world second most valued team, you would think the Yankees would be higher on this list. Only Manchester United is worth more money than the Yankees. The Yanks have three pages on Twitter that appear to be started by the team. In addition to their main page, there is a Yankees PR and Weather page.

This site seems very basic. Starting lineups, reminding fans to vote for the All-Star team, the starting time for games, and a link to buy apparel. The site should grow as social networking becomes more mainstream. For now, their page is pretty conservative.

279,786 Followers

@Yankees

4) Real Madrid

Real Madrid is the only team in the top ten from outside North America. Real Madrid seems to get what Twitter is for. They post players quotes, behind the scenes video, and updates in general about the sport, including the World Cup.

340,583 Followers
@RealMadrid.

3) Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies page is all encompassing. Like Real Madrid, the Phillies get Twitter. They use their page for promotions, injury updates, promotions, announcements, and in game updates among other trivialities. Surprisingly, they are the most followed team outside the NBA on Twitter.

566,128 Followers
@Phillies

2) Orlando Magic

The Magic Twitter page is diverse, and interactive. There are links to players quotes summing up the season, many giveaways, information about the Magic dancers, links to the NBA Twitter page ,and lists that the fans can vote on.

When the Magic reached one millon followers on Twitter, Dwight Howard paid for the fan to be flown to Orlando for a game.

1,014,689 Followers
@OrlandoMagic

1) Los Angeles Lakers

As one of the world's most recognizable and successful sports teams, it's no surprise that the Lakers have such a huge following on Twitter. They have been in the NBA Finals in every decade since the NBA's inaugural season in 1949.

Their Twitter page has everything you would expect from a professional sports team on Twitter. Links to apparel being sold, post game quotes, links to articles and promotions, and game statistics.

1,539,096 Followers
@Lakers.