Balancing needs of fans and contestants

The other day I came across an article on the PBR website and there as a link posted by a fan to his personal blog about the PBR. I read it wanting to see what some of the pressing issues were to the fans. Oddly enough the post was about the after party the PBR hosts after every event. He mentioned that he thinks it is a bad thing to have for the safety of the riders.

His comments made me think about how the PBR is constantly trying to have new ways for the fans to meet and talk to the riders. The fact of the matter is there really is no need to have after parties at clubs where the riders are encouraged to drink and socialize I know as a PR professional it is important to have the riders out there with the fans, but is putting them in a situation to get hurt even more in an already dangerous sport worth a little more publicity? I think that one of our most valuable assets in promoting rodeo and bull riding is the contestant. So why are we pushing them into potentially dangerous situations for their health.

I don’t think the party idea should be done with though because I see the casual setting as a something great for the fans. Personally as a fan I see it amazing that I can be in a situation where I can spend time just relaxing and talking to one of the riders. I think that it needs to be taken to a spot where the alcohol temptation is taken. Most of the time before the event there is a fan zone so why not make that a more casual event just have music and a place for the riders and fans to have a good time before the event, without having to wait in line to get an autograph and leave quickly to let the person behind you get theirs. Also this opens it up to the people who can’t or don’t wish to be in a club setting with alcohol. I think doing this is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds.

So I guess the point of this post was to discuss the little considered factors in public relations with athletes. I think it is important to have that balance between what the fans need and what the athletes need to be able to keep doing what the love.