“The influence of geographic factors diminishes as technology grows.” - William Durant
Ask any sports fan and they will tell you, nothing beats being at the game. The spectacle, the crowd, the energy. If I had it my way, I would sit in the first row at a Real Madrid game. But geography and budget make that impossible! If I had to settle, I’d get a nice mezzanine seat … or a nosebleed. Or watch in a Madridista bar. But I typically just watch the game alone on my couch.
Technology now enables us to close the gap between what you experience from inside and outside the stadium. Newspapers told us what happened when we couldn’t attend. Radio allowed us to tune-in. TV let us watch from home. Despite better cameras and microphones, nothing truly gives fans the feeling of being at the game, amongst energized fans.
As sports audiences have expanded and stretched beyond borders, geography has separated fans from the magic of rooting for their teams. Young fans today are more drawn to stars than their hometowns. International fans can never truly grasp the history and traditions of teams and stadiums.
The only way to transport you to the stadium is to bring the diehard fan to your living room.
Assist is about bringing as much of the in-stadium experience to your couch. Fanaticism. Goal celebrations. Chants. Interactions with fellow fans.
The “ultra” experience is with the Ultras.