JC / Railbird

Fan Committee Archive

SAFC Reports

… for August and September are now online. We received 38 submissions in those two months, which were compiled and sent to a dozen industry organizations. The response has been positive (and not only from the BC). Racing executives are listening to fans like never before (and making promises to keep doing so); SAFC is one way to make sure your views are represented. We’re not gatekeepers, we’re gatherers, and we want to hear your ideas, gripes, and praise. Share your thoughts now.
Related: The Take Back the Race petition will be sent to BC officials early Friday morning. On the eve of “Ladies’ Day,” why not add your signature? [Friday update: The Take Back the Race petition was sent to the Breeders’ Cup this morning with 240 signatures. Thanks to all who participated!]

Posted in Fan Committee on October 23, 2008

Another Committee

– But you’ll want to join this one: Dana of GbG announces the formation of the Self Appointed Fan Committee, which I had a small part (kindly, Dana gives me too much credit) in pulling together this weekend. While it might seem to be a response to the debate that erupted following last week’s congressional hearing on horse racing over the lack of any mention of fans or players made by the panel members, the idea dates back to the flap over the Breeders’ Cup changes announced in February and to a conversation the two of us had over hot dogs at Old Town, when “we agreed that we should start our own damn Fan Committee because it was clear it was probably never going to happen otherwise.” We’re keeping the agenda simple: Our goal is to make sure you’re heard, and so the site will be a forum for all fans to vent, complain, and give feedback. We’ll collect, display, and wrangle your comments into monthly reports. Self Appointed Fan Committee opens on or around July 1 — bookmark the site, prepare your laments, and check back often.
– It’s gratifying to see a turf writer of Ray Paulick’s stature pick up on my observation, made last week while watching the congressional hearing, that fans weren’t adequately represented by the panel (not that players were the only group left out on Thursday and complaining about being overlooked), even if he did kick it old media at his new media home. I’ll assume I’m the “PR Blogger” previously mentioned on his homepage, since I commented on his site about the oversight, and that I influenced, at least, “Hearing Ignores Fans,” since Paulick commented on my post making that point. Seriously though, Ray, where’s the link?

Posted in Fan Committee on June 23, 2008