The studios for Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin had been located across the river of downtown Minneapolis.  They now have a new home in downtown Minneapolis, and it’s within walking distance to two Minnesota sports teams homes, Target Center and Target Field. A great location for them in order to be “close to the action”.

The new space itself is a city block long in length, stretching from Hennepin Ave to LaSalle Ave, with windows facing out onto 8th Street. In fact, they have a great view of the new rooftop Union restaurant that just opened across the street. Located on the 2nd floor of the LaSalle Plaza building, they expect to have a good deal of foot traffic passing by their new location.  But will they take advantage of that? You better believe it!

Located on the North side of their new space, along Hennepin Ave on the 2nd floor, people walking through the skyway will be able to watch “LIVE” production as it happens, in their Studio B. The green-screen studio has a public viewing area, so when it’s being used for “LIVE” or taped programming, the public will be able to watch it as it happens.  But the connection with the public doesn’t end there.

On the South side of the new space, there is an open area that includes a LARGE screen for skyway travelers to watch FSN programming, as well as being able to watch “LIVE” programming from Studio A as it happens. You might get to see Tom Hanneman or Kevin Gorg in studio, with local Minnesota sports stars being interviewed about a recent game they played in and also being asked about how their season is going so far. All of this allows Minnesotans to get an up-close feel for what’s going on in Minnesota sports.

All of this adds up to a great experience for the true sports fan. Who doesn’t want to hear more about the Vikings, Twins, Wild, Timberwolves and Gopher sports teams, and at the same time, make a greater connection with the network that bring many of those teams games and interviews right into your home? This new location will provide fans with more access to what they want to know about their favorite teams, and the personalities that provide that to them. Do you want to know more? How about an “Inside” view of what goes on behind the doors and walls of the studio?

Be sure then to watch the video below to see what makes all of the shows that you watch at home on Fox Sports North or Fox Sports Wisconsin, possible.

Good Friday morning everyone! Do you know what the @NLLNetwork is? Do you know who the @Minnesota_Swarm are? Matt McCormack does!

Matt:    Looking forward to sharing!

Welcome Matt! So when did the NLL first start and when did the #Swarm first start?

Matt:    Surprising to many, especially here, – the #NLL is actually in it’s 26th year. The #MNSWARM are in our 8th season.

How many teams are currently in the league, and how are the #swarm doing at the midway point of the season?

Matt:    9 teams in the #NLL. The season has been exciting 4-3 right now (best start since ’08) with VERY young team. (cont)

Had 4 #AllStars, defending scoring champ @beniboi21 off to great start; @EvanKirk35 was the Feb Rookie of the month

That’s great new about @beniboi21 and @EvanKirk35! There was a coaching change too. Is that hard for the players?

Matt:    Changes are always hard, but necessary sometimes. Coach Sullivan has been here 3 years, (cont)

(cont) as an assistant and this summer as Associate GM and players are very comfortable with him and the staff.

Good! When it comes to branding/mrktg, with many other professional sports teams here, how do you try to stand out?

Matt:    It can be tough to break through the noise, that’s for sure. We do what we can to keep a few things in mind: (cont)

1) do more with less 2) stay relevant 3) don’t be afraid to try different things 4) keep #lacrosse growing in MN.

In attending a game recently, it looks like it’s VERY popular with families. How do you target them so well?

Matt:    #Lax community has always shown great support- we work them into the game as much as possible.

You’ve seen the field pre-game- we couldn’t fit many more on it!

We also work to keep prices family friendly which is important to us.

What kinds of special packages and events do you have coming up for fans? Remind people to where you play. :)

Matt:    With 4 games left the rest of the season will be exciting @XcelEnergyCtr! (cont)

2 big promos coming up are #HeroesNight (3/30) http://mnswarm.com/heroes and #HiveCares (4/21) which benefits @RSCRF. (cont)

great ticket packs will be out soon too #45FamPack (4tix, 4dogs, 4sodas), and the Scarf Pack(tix & Swarm Scarf) (cont)

and of course pro-rated #SeasonTickets are still available, buy 2, get 2 half off – great deals all around

With the team having a good shot at making the playoffs, what’s the playoff structure to win the championship?

Matt:    #knockonwood we have a good shot at playoffs. It’s a 3 rnd single elim, with 8 teams fighting for the #ChampionsCup!

To close, when the next game for the fast moving and high-energy #Swarm?

Matt:    Big Game in Calgary tomorrow night (watch live @ 8pm on http://www.mnswarm.com) and we’re on the road until 3/30

Joel:    Thanks Matt for your time today and talking about the #Swarm.  Have a great day! :)

Matt:    Thanks for having usl. Don’t forget to check out http://swarmrewards.com a fun social media program.

The WNBA Minnesota Lynx are in the 2011 Finals. They have had a great season with their No.1 picks in the draft really shinning and showing their value on the court. What do we know about them? Who helps them to look and sound good off and on the court? Here is a list of Twitterview that I’ve been fortunate enough to conducted with some of them. Learn about what makes this team “tick”.

July 7, 2011 – Twitterview with Rebekkah Brunson – CLICK HERE

April 12,2011 – Twitterview with Candice Wiggins – CLICK HERE

Sept 19, 2011 – Twitterview with Alan Horton (Radio voice of the Lynx) – CLICK HERE

July 28,2010 – Twitterview with David Sherman (Lynx Photographer) – CLICK HERE

Hello everyone! Welcome to today’s Twitterview of @LynxRadio (Alan Horton) voice of the @WNBA @MinnesotaLynx! Lets play!

Q – #1    Before we talk about you @LynxRadio, have you ever had a season that you’ve been more surprised by then this year? #LosLynx

Alan:    I’m surprised that they’ve been as dominant as they’ve been. Seems like every few weeks they’re setting WNBA records!

Alan:   Right from a chat on lynxbasketball.com to a twitterview ! Let’s do this ! Follow at #jectv #loslynx

Q – #2    It seems like no one player is the dominant force, it’s more of a team with balanced strengths. Who has surprised you?

Alan:    LW MVP play, SA regaining form, RB’s rebounding, Maya’s raw ability…all surprising how good they’ve been together

Q – #3    What kind of game are you expecting tonight when the @MinnesotaLynx play the @SASilverStars? #LosLynx

Alan:    4 meetings avg score has been 72-66. Lynx would love to get it more up-tempo but SAN has 4th ranked defense.

I actually think it will be more high-scoring, #loslynx will feed off a big crowd tonight.

Q – #4     Up-tempo is certainly fun to watch! As far as tickets go, are there still any available? #LosLynx

Alan:    Yes, but lower bowl are going fast, close to 10,000 expected tonite. #loslynx are fun to watch, good offense & defense

Q – #5    Where can we listen to you, is the game televised and what time does the game start?

Alan:    8pm. On radio BOB 106.1 FM (Twin Cities) & AM 1260 KDUZ (Hutchinson) online w/ LiveAccess on lynxbasketball.com

and our broadcast is also being carried on @NBATV (check your local listings) #loslynx

@JoelECarlson:    WOW! The @WNBA No.1 team’s 1st playoff game is not televised on @ESPN or @FSNorth. Travesty! Good to get a ticket!

Alan:    @FSNoth has Twins game, @ESPN2 probably has football…Sunday’s game will be on @ESPN2 at 4pm.

Getting proper playoff coverage is an issue for @wnba, especially when regular season goes into mid-Sept.

@JoelECarlson:    @LynxRadio @FSNorth would get MUCH BETTER ratings with the @MinnesotaLynx right now than the Twins. Put the Twins online. #ProductionIdea

Q – #6    So a little bit about you. Where did you grow up, where did you attend school and how did you get into broadcasting?

Alan:    Grew up in Clarksburg. MA (pop. 1,686) located in Berkshire Mtns. High School at Mt. Greylock in Williamstown, MA.

Attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY & graduate work at Syracuse.

As a kid started broadcasting games in front of TV, then going outside & calling the action as we were playing.

Q – #7    Where did you first start broadcasting games and what teams have you covered? #LosLynx

Alan:    My 1st broadcasting experience was a local tennis tournament on TV & I learned very quickly the value of preparation.

That was in high school, then after Syracuse covered just about every sport at every level (SD Padres in ’06)

Q – #8    To close today, what advice would you give to aspiring sports broadcasters out there looking to succeed? #LosLynx

Alan:    I always stress making yourself as valuable as possible, learn to engineer, produce & work equipment, not just PBP

Thanks Joel, that was fun. Coming to a playoff game?

@JoelECarlson:    Thanks for your time and comments today. May you and the @MinnesotaLynx have a great night! #LosLynx in 2 games!

I’m going to try to make one.

Alan:    Stop by and say hello, I’ll be courtside. Thanks again.

@JoelECarlson:    Welcome to today’s Twitterview of @minnesotalynx starting Forward, @twin1532 (Rebekkah Brunson)!

Rebekkah:    hello everyone

Q – #1    To start off with @twin1532, how does it feel to be the Western Conference Player of the Month for June in the @wnba?

Rebekkah:    it feels amazing to have a great individual and team start and to be acknowledged for both

Q – #2    I’d imagine so! Congratulations! :)  Lets go back to the beginning. When did you first get interested in basketball?

Rebekkah:    Thank you!! I started playing organized when i was about 13. Before then I still enjoyed the game, just wasn’t focused in

Q – #3    I see. Did you have some favorite players that you enjoyed watching play basketball? Any good mentors or coaches?

Rebekkah:    I didn’t start watching the game until college!! But luckily I have encounters tons of good coaches n mentors

throughout college and am continuing to grow in the

Q – #4    Once you started playing organized games, did you ever have times when you wondered if you’d continue to play? Give up.

Rebekkah:    I used to say I would stop when it became a job lol. It is work but I realized even that didn’t take away the fun #jectv lol

Q – #5    Good perspective! So where did you play college ball, and how was the wnba draft night for you?

Rebekkah:    Georgetown!!! Draft night was unreal. I was able to sit and watch my dreams, and many others dreams come true!!

Q – #6    You were selected 10th by Sacramento in the @wnba draft. Had you ever been to SAC? How did your 6 seasons there go for you?

Rebekkah:    I had never been away from the DC metro area and was anxious about having to leave and travel to the west

but once I got there I fell in love. It has become a second home to me. I loved my 6 seasons there

Q – #7    Good for you. Now in 2009, you were part of a dispersal draft. Were you anxious again, or were you better at handling it?

Rebekkah:    by this time I have traveled all over the world. though I was sad,I was excited for a new situation and what lay ahead

Q – #8    Awesome! You were selected 2nd by the @minnesotalynx. How did the transition to MN go for you? How has your 2nd season been?

Rebekkah:    transition for all of us last year was a lil rough..but this year we have great chemistry

we are off to a great start. I have found my role and am being very successful

Q – #9    Being 2nd place in the West Conf shows the talent/chemistry! What have you worked at w/your game to grow/improve?

Rebekkah:    I’m doing the same things I have always done. I am rebounding n scoring when the opportunity presents itself

I also want to improve in being more consistently aggressive offensively

Q – #10    Great! We also need to get you some more All-Star votes too! :) Vote for @twin1532! What do you have going on SAT following the game?

Rebekkah:    yes keep voting. Saturdays game will honor a friend that passed untimely about two weeks ago.

there will be an auction n donation box for the Iczert Tate memorial fund. Theres also a silent auction on my FB page

Q – #11    What are some of the items that will be up for auction so people have an idea as to what’s avail? Where will it be held?

Rebekkah:    it will be at hubberts after the game. We have everything from Lauren Jackson signed shoes to autographed lynx gear

and also some exclusive Lisa Leslie limited edition signed shoes

Q – #12    That’s a very nice thing for you to do @twin1532! To end, how has it been playing with @MooreMaya this season for you?

Rebekkah:    it’s been gr8 playing w @mooremaya. She is an amazing teammate n fun to watch, but more import she’s an amazing person

@JoelECarlson:    I can imagine! Thank you @twin1532 for your time and comments today. I look forward to see you and the the @minnsesotalynx on 7/29!

Rebekkah:    Thanks for chatting with me

@JoelECarlson: Hello, and welcome to the 2nd Twitterview of the day. My guest is @liozzi of the @mntimberwolves Interactive department. Go Wolves!

Scott: Hi Joel. Thanks for having me. Let’s do this!

Q – #1    @liozzi you’re from MI and came to MN for schooling. What kind of schooling did you take and how did that lead you to the #Twolves?

Scott: I went to the Art Institutes MN and earned my degree in interactive media design. The #Twolves were looking for some1..

to head-up their interactive services dept at that time. I was lucky enough to land the job after interviewing w/…

…after interviewing with @WolvesCMO & @WolvesPrez.

Q – #2    Nice! So what is you’re role and does the @nba provide any sort of framework or blueprint to follow?

Scott: As #Twolves & #Lynx Mgr of Interactive Services, I am responsible for all of our online content. This includes…

timberwolves.com, lynxbasketball.com, wolvesnation.com and all of our social media sites. I also come up with our…

strategic plan for each season. The @NBA provides us with best practices from around the league which is a great help.

Q – #3    That’s helpful! Is a sports team an “easy” social media topic because of the fan base, or are there some troubles?

Scott: While we do have sort of a “built in” fan base, I wouldn’t say it’s easy. We want to provide our fans with the best…

online and social media experience in all of sports. There’s a ton of expectation that comes along with working…

in pro sports. I have to say that I am VERY proud of my staff, @jonahballow, @hamandpeas & @LaurenWhitneyL. They are…

incredible, and bring it everyday.

Q – #4    With the #Twolves getting the No.2 pick yesterday and the #Lynx’s season starting shortly, what can we see rolling out soon?

Scott: We just launched http:WolvesDraft.com last night after the Lottery. This is a comprehensive draft site where fans…

can get an inside look at prospect workouts, watch videos and even participate in our prospect power rankings module..

On Lynx side, we just launched a redesign of lynxbasketball.com.

Q – #5    Your FAVORITE(S): Restaurant, store, comfort food, hobby and recent book or movie.

Scott: Fav restaurant = Tony’s Italian Restaurant back home in Saginaw, MI – lots of history there. Fav store is Best Buy…

For comfort food, I believe you call it tater tot hotdish – that stuff is good! I’m always renovating something on

my house, so I guess that’s my hobby now? :) Most recent book: Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh (@zappos).

I haven’t watched any movies recently, but I’m liking The Killing on @AMC_TV.

Q – #6    Lets talk about the #TWolves, what was your feeling when you heard the pick No. and who are some players that you like?

Scott: I was just happy we didn’t get the 4th pick! Statistically our odds were best there. As for players, I like…

Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams and Brandon Knight. This is a very interesting year for us, so we’ll have to wait & see.

@JoelECarlson: Yes it is! A lot of how about… going on soon I would imagine! Thanks @liozzi for spending some time on #jectv today. Have a good one!

Scott: You too Joel. Thanks for having me. I had fun!

@JoelECarlson: Hello, and welcome to the @WNBA Draft-Day Twitterview with @minnesotalynx guard @candicewiggins. Let play!

Q – #1    With today being Draft-Day for the @wnba, lets talk about that a little first. What are the players thinking about?

Candice: Draft-Day is always exciting for the plyrs! We’re just like every1 else, wondering who’s going where and in what order

Q – #2    With so much of a players life planned out up until the point of Draft-Day, is there some anxiety involved?

Candice: Definitely a lot of anxiety for the draftees, but I honestly think there’s more excitement for a new start

Q – #3    So Candice, how did you feel on Draft-Day. Did you have any idea that you’d come to MN?

Candice: I was feeling everything on Draft-Day, and yes I def had a feeling I would be in MN

Q – #4    With the @minnesotalynx having the No.1 & 4 picks, do you have anybody in particular you’d like to see on the team?

Candice: I think everyone’s excited ab the #1 pick! We all know who that is…& I’ll be excited ab whoever else we bring in!

Q – #5    Great! Now last season you were injured. How is your health now and what are your expectations for yourself & team?

Candice: My expectations for myself is just a full healthy season. As long as I’m healthy I can do major damage….

And of course our team expectations are the playoffs, and winning the WNBA championship for the city of Minneapolis

Q – #6    That would be great for #MN! You’ve played in the @wnba for a little while. Who do you like playing against?

Candice: That’s hard! I honestly love playing against everyone! #competitive & I esp love playing in the Staples Center

Q – #7    I’d imagine Staples Center is fun to play at. Growing up, did you always want to play basketball?

Candice: I’ve definitely always wanted to be a WNBA player since its inception in 1997. Always had that goal

Q – #8    Goals are good to have! Do you think any college freshmen or sophomores would jump to the @wnba like the @nba?

Candice: No I don’t think that’s going to happen, & I think it’s awesome that the road to the WNBA goes through 4 yrs of college

Q – #9    I see. Lets focus on you now. Your FAVORITE(S): Restaurant, store, comfort food, sport other than basketball.

Candice: My favorites…..Rubio’s, Miss Sixty, and of course volleyball!

@JoelECarlson: Thank you @candicewiggins and the @minnesotalynx for your time and work to make this Twitterview today possible. Go Lynx!

Candice: No problem!