Social Side of Sports Spurs Startup PlayUp

Aaron Rodgers threads the needle on a TD pass to Packers teammate Jermichael Finley.  Man U's Wayne Rooney finds the back of the net– three times–against hated rival Arsenal.  Evan Longoria of Tampa Bay finishes off the Red Sox with a game-winning homer–against the Yankees –on the last day of the season. 

Twitter explodes.

Sports fandom is meant to be shared.  People may discuss their favorite movies or TV shows or books with a certain degree of interest, but without others to exult with in victory–or commiserate with in a loss–rooting for sports teams, actual or Fantasy, just isn't as much fun.

Real-time info and commentary spreads across social media like wildfire–just check the average Twitter feed during a big game and just about everyone has something to say about a big hit, umpire's call or announcers' gaffe.

Enter PlayUp, a new iPhone and iPad App trying to capture that social aspect and connect fans of every sport and team imaginable globally.

"No one is a fan alone," summarizes Jonathan Press, CEO of PlayUp USA.  "You don't want to consume sports by yourself.  We've created a forum where fans can communicate and be heard."

Elements of PlayUp have been available on various Websites for some time; sports supersites like ESPN.com and CBSSports.com noticed years ago that fans were increasingly utilizing a "second screen" while they watched their favorite sports, to get more information on the game and, importantly, to connect with fellow rooters.

The PlayUp App, which has been available for U.S. sports for about a month, connects four major parts of sports fandom in a single place, according to Press.

The first is scores and statistics, the basics as needed but in a simple interface, sometimes for hundreds of events simultaneously.  The social element is next, with a main chat room and unlimited public or private groups for every single contest.  PlayUp also includes games, which add a built-in Fantasy component, and finally personalization, for quick access to any particular fan's favorites.

The Fantasy-type games can be as simple as who will score the next touchdown, or trivia contests, to more complex season-long affairs, according to Press.  And, much like Farmville, can be integrated into the overall PlayUp experience.

"There are endless opportunities around this," says Press.  "From premium content in player and team rooms to the free and paid games to micro-transactions and advertising and sponsorships, once there's a fan base there is a lot we can do."

Though it's new to the game, the App has begun to catch on.  And with strong backing and a patient timeline for success, it's likely here to stay.

"We've surpassed our expectations so far," says Press of the interest in PlayUp stateside.  "We have had more than 75,000 downloads already."

Press notes that is with only a fraction of the planned features in place, and huge events, perfect fits for social media, like the Super Bowl, NCAA Tournament and Olympics, millions of fans watching at once, still to come.

Jerry Milani is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.