Giants Launch Mobile App With Big Plans Ahead

This season, New York Giants fans looking to track Eli Manning’s stats, watch video, scroll through photos, check team-related tweets, and access Big Blue’s schedule and results need look no further than their smartphone.

The Giants’ official mobile application launched last Friday and quickly jumped to No. 8 on iTunes’ Top Free iPhone Sports Apps chart.

Developing the app began at the end of last season.

“We went around the league to see what other teams had,” says Nilay Shah, manager of digital media for the New York Giants. “We also [looked at] the entertainment industry to gauge what features we thought that fans would like. We knew that we wanted it to be an extension of our Website in a sense that any piece of content would be readily available on your mobile device.”

With 30 to 50 news pieces of video content posted each week on Giants.com, the G-men certainly had enough content. But the team did not stop there. Partnering with YinzCam, the Giants created an app that connects fans to the team wherever they are, with big plans for future in-stadium capabilities.

One of the key features of the Giants’ app is the Fantasy Tracker, which allows fans to follow a live running feed of their favorite players’ stats on game day.

“You could be watching a game on TV, and you don’t even have to check your computer,” Shah explains. “Now you can punch in any player who’s on a current active roster and track their in-game stats right on your phone.”

The app enables Giants fans to connect with one another through Facebook, Twitter, and various check-in services. News articles or photos that appear on the app can be shared on Facebook and Twitter through the app, and Giants-related Twitter posts are aggregated into one feed.

“Over the past year, Giants fans represented one of the NFL’s top three fan groups in social media, with Giants’ Facebook and Giants’ Twitter user growth,” says Giants Chief Marketing Officer Mike Stevens. “Giants Mobile is a natural extension as we service the needs of our fans.”

In the near future, the Giants plan to expand the app’s capabilities for fans attending home games. The team hopes to allow fans at MetLife Stadium to view video replays on-demand and watch different camera angles through the app.

Other plans on the horizon include a QR code system that will enable fans to scan the digital code to access a digital version of the Giants’ game program.

“With over 7 million fans in our local market and one of the largest national fan bases in the NFL,” says Stevens, “we are launching Giants Mobile to enhance our fans’ ability to connect with their favorite team anytime and anyplace.”

The app is available for iPhone, Android, and RIM devices by texting “GIANTS” to 51288 or searching “New York Giants Mobile” in iTunes, Android Marketplace, or BlackBerry App World.