Websites using SIDEARM Sports

Okay, let s dive into a comprehensive overview of SIDEARM Sports, covering its revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

SIDEARM Sports Overview

SIDEARM Sports, a division of Learfield, is a leading provider of digital solutions for intercollegiate athletic programs. They focus on powering the online presence of college and university athletic departments, offering a suite of services including:

• Website Design and Development: Creating custom, responsive websites tailored to specific athletic programs.
• Mobile App Development: Developing native mobile apps (iOS and Android) for fans to follow their favorite teams.
• Content Management System (CMS): Providing a user-friendly platform for athletic staff to manage website content, including schedules, rosters, news, and multimedia.
• Live Streaming and Video: Integrating video players and platforms for live events and on-demand content.
• Ticketing and E-commerce: Offering solutions for online ticket sales and merchandise purchases.
• Social Media Integration: Seamlessly connecting website and app content with social media platforms.
• Advertising and Sponsorships: Providing tools for managing and displaying advertisements and sponsorships.
• Data and Analytics: Offering insights into website and app traffic to understand fan behavior.

Key Strengths of SIDEARM Sports:

• Industry Leader: A dominant player in the college athletics market, with a deep understanding of the unique needs of these institutions.
• Custom Solutions: Offers tailored solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Focus on Mobile: Strong emphasis on mobile app development to reach fans where they are.
• Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly integrates with other systems used by athletic departments.
• Reputation for Reliability: Known for providing stable and dependable digital platforms.

Revenue:

• Private Company: As a division of Learfield, SIDEARM Sports precise revenue figures aren t publicly available. Learfield itself is a private company, and its financial details are not broadly disclosed.
• Significant Market Share: However, given their vast client base in the college athletics space, it s reasonable to assume that SIDEARM Sports generates substantial revenue.
• Subscription Model: Their revenue primarily comes from annual subscription fees paid by athletic departments for their services. The complexity of the services and size of the athletic program will influence these costs.
• Service Upgrades: Add-on services, specialized features, and customization can bring in additional revenue.

Alternatives to SIDEARM Sports:

While SIDEARM is a significant player, several other providers offer comparable services, each with its own strengths:

• PrestoSports: A major competitor, offering a range of digital solutions, including website design, mobile apps, and live stats. Focuses on both college and high school athletics.
• Paciolan: Primarily focused on ticketing, but also offers website design and marketing solutions. Known for their integration with ticketing and CRM.
• NeuLion (Now Endeavor Streaming): Provides a broader range of streaming and digital services, including OTT solutions, which may be relevant for larger institutions.
• JumpForward (Now Teamworks): Offers software solutions for athletic operations, including compliance, recruiting, and academics, with some overlap in website management for content.
• Local or Regional Agencies: Some athletic departments choose to work with smaller, local web development or marketing agencies for a more personalized touch, potentially at a lower cost.
• In-House Development: Larger institutions with sufficient resources may opt to build and manage their own platforms, offering maximum customization.
• Platforms like WordPress (with Sports Themes): A cost-effective option with numerous sports-specific themes, although these may require more internal management and technical expertise.

Pricing:

• Variable: SIDEARM Sports pricing is not publicly available, and is highly customized based on the institution s size, division, complexity of its needs, and specific services selected.
• Subscription-Based: Typically, athletic departments pay an annual subscription fee that covers the cost of software licensing, support, and platform maintenance.

• Factors Influencing Price:

  • Division Level: NCAA Division I schools pay more than smaller Divisions II, III, NAIA, or junior colleges.
  • Number of Sports: Pricing can scale with the number of sports programs needing coverage.
  • Customization and Features: More custom design, additional integrations, and specialized features will increase costs.
  • Support Levels: Higher levels of technical support can influence pricing.
  • Data and Analytics: More detailed data and reporting features can cost more.

• Budget: Expect to pay tens of thousands of dollars a year, which can range upwards of six figures annually for larger institutions with many sports programs and more demanding technical needs. It is important to budget accordingly and consider the total cost of ownership.

Customer Care Details:

• Dedicated Support Team: SIDEARM Sports offers a dedicated support team for clients, often assigned based on institutional needs.
• Technical Support: Provides technical assistance to resolve issues with website and app functionality.
• Training: Offers training to athletic department staff on using their CMS and other tools.
• Account Management: Most clients receive ongoing account management to ensure satisfaction.
• Relationship Management: They often have a relationship-driven approach, with direct contacts at their company to help clients.
• Support Channels: Support is usually offered via phone, email, and sometimes a ticketing system.
• Resources: Provides online resources such as documentation and FAQs.

Considerations when Evaluating SIDEARM Sports:

• Long-Term Commitment: It s typically a multi-year commitment, so it s important to evaluate whether their platform is the best fit for your program s long-term goals.
• Customization Needs: Determine the level of customization needed for your branding and functionality.
• Support Requirements: Evaluate the responsiveness and quality of their customer support.
• Budget Considerations: Carefully assess pricing and ensure it aligns with available resources.
• Integration with Other Systems: Ensure seamless integration with existing ticketing, fundraising, and other platforms.

In Summary:

SIDEARM Sports is a powerful and well-regarded provider of digital solutions for college athletics, but is a large company with a large client base. While they offer robust and feature-rich platforms, it s crucial for athletic departments to carefully evaluate their options, weigh their budget, and understand their unique needs before committing to a provider. Exploring alternatives and gathering multiple quotes is always recommended.