Owning the #NBADraft Conversation

With the Cleveland Cavaliers having the #1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the Cavs and the much anticipated draft on Thurs. June 27. FOX Sports Ohio owned the #NBADraft conversation across all platforms, including online, on-air, and on-site.

ONLINE

FOXSportsOhio.com executed extensive analysis leading up to the draft through the aftermath. The NBA Draft Hub page included features, blog posts, videos, and NBA-related photo galleries drawing over 1 million visitors.

Our resident NBA expert Sam Amico made over 70 media appearances throughout the month talking NBA Draft. Zac Jackson also made a dozen media hits and both appeared on SportsTime Ohio’s All Bets Are Off sports talk show.

Pre-Draft:

• NBA Draft videos embedded throughout our stories led to the highest monthly number of videos played in FOXSportsOhio.com history.
• Sam Amico's Mock Draft, also posted on MSN, was extremely popular bringing in high traffic numbers.
• Sam Amico's chats leading up to draft week grew significantly in terms of popularity, with the final chat drawing over four times the usual crowd.

During Draft:

• Zac Jackson's report on the Cavaliers selection of Anthony Bennett garnered several hundred thousand readers and was posted on MSN.
• The story on the Cavs surprise selection was up just minutes after the selection was made.

Post-Draft:

• Sam Amico's take on the NBA Draft's Winners and Losers was on MSN and drew over 300,000 readers with high comment activity.
• Featured a LIVE post-draft online show, Sportstalk A-Z, the day after the Draft. (Click to watch)

ON-AIR

Sam Amico became a frequent guest on SportsTime Ohio’s All Bets Are Off and called in the day before the draft. This clip has become one of the most watched ABAO videos.

ON-SITE

The Cavaliers hosted a free party for fans at Quicken Loans Arena, featuring all sorts of entertainment and activities as well as showing the live draft on the arena’s video board. FOX Sports Ohio Cavs broadcasters Austin Carr and Campy Russell sat behind the network’s branded desk stationed on the center of the arena floor and provided analysis and updates throughout the evening.

The FOX Sports Ohio Girls Sara and Kristine were also set up to engage fans with a photo opportunity behind a network desk. Click to watch a VIDEO of their time leading up to the first pick!