Sports-centred social
network eFans has announced it will re-launch in time for the 2008 Beijing
Olympics. With several new features on
display, the site?s stated ambition is to become the web?s most popular venue
for all people interested in athletics, although the site also caters for all
manner of other sports.
As its name indicates,
eFans is a platform that hosts networks and blogs of sports fans, teams and even
athletes themselves, who, according to eFans, account for more than 1,000 profile
pages. The networks on offer aim to be
comprehensive in terms of playing level, with themes ranging to big name
players or teams such as Tiger Woods or the Boston Celtics, right down to
college leagues. User generated content
(UGC) can be added in wiki-style, with users able to post their own
sports-related news and personal commentary.
eFans are already
planning further updates (billed to launch in October 2008), which will be integrate
additional features such as chat, marketplace, polls and fantasy leagues.. In the words eFans of founder and chief
executive officer Stephan Maric, ?The new release will have new modules that
unite the fans that have the same favourite athlete or team. We will launch new
functionality in phases so users can grow the site to be what they want it to
be.?
For the duration of
the Beijing
Olympics, the site will be a hosting dedicated news page featuring live on-site
commentary by author of ?The Complete Book of the Olympics? series David
Wallenchinsky.