The Rangers organization managed to piss off a majority of its female fanbase this afternoon with one horribly written and poorly proofed ‘article’ (and I use that term very loosely) that appeared for about a half hour on Blueshirts United. It was the first ‘article’, according to their little disclaimer at the top of the page, of their ‘Contributor Network’. Obviously, this was not the start that their social media team had imagined.
I’m sure the Rangers organization was probably looking to draw in more female fans? Perhaps they thought that the ‘article’ was going to be read as funny or sarcastic? But what they failed to realize is that 90% of the females who read Blueshirts United are fans already. Knowledgeable fans. Fans who don’t need to be told to hold our questions until there is a stoppage in play. Fans who do more than just swoon over Lundqvist’s dashingly good looks. Fans who can rattle off the entire roster faster than any one. Fans who know who the Rangers’ biggest rivals are and relish those games.
Rest assured, if my boyfriend or husband showed me this in an attempt to help me “at least understand their obsession, enthusiasm and passion, and help you hold your own during game nights.”, he would’ve gotten a swift kick to the babymaker.
The fact that she kept referring to the game they were watching as ‘football’, was particularly annoying. If it was an attempt to be funny, it wasn’t. I seriously hope her day job is not a comedienne. Or a writer.
The fact that every single one of the guys watching this football game was
wearing a Rangers jersey is a true testament to the loyalty of a Rangers fan. It’s not just a
phase. It’s not just an obsession. It’s a Rangers lifestyle.
If the goal of this ‘article’ was to encourage women to get to learn the sport that their men like, or if they just want to learn the game in general, it may have been better received had it been written from the point of view of someone who knows the game. Take any of the numerous female bloggers and ask them to write a “How to Guide…”. I’m sure you’d get some witty and sarcastic, yet educational posts. Instead, we got this. The ‘article’ made it seem like if you memorize names, don’t speak until spoken to, and ooogle at Lundqvist while browsing the internet for sales and eating fried turkey, then you’ll be a pro at knowing the game of ‘football’. Add in some gum snapping and hair twirling and you’re all set.
Maybe next time, your guide should include what the power play is (which may be useful for the players too), the rules of icing, how to play a 5-on-3, or any other useful information that you would need for watching ‘football’.
I’m utterly embarrassed and appalled that an ‘article’ like that came across without someone, anyone, seeing that this may not have been the best submission. Even more embarrassed that a female would write something like that.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to put my apron back on and get off the internet and back into the kitchen. The man of the house will return soon, so no more browsing the internet for 70% off shoe sales.
Big props to @fuddlecuddle for emailing me the ‘article’ after it was taken down.
