• Loading stock data...
Friday, March 29, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Roaring Riot Helps Build Camaraderie With Carolina Panthers Fans

roaring riot - panthers

(*Varsity Partners are a Proud Partner of Front Office Sports)

NFL fan bases are wildly passionate and people flock from all over the country — literally — to support their teams. That’s the main reason why Roaring Riot, a Carolina Panthers fan experience organization, has created a space for its biggest team supporters from all across the world to engage with each other and have fun.

As one of the newer teams in the NFL, the Panthers, whose inaugural season came in 1996, have had one of the weaker fan bases in the league, according to Zack Luttrell, founder of Roaring Riot. Being smaller makes it all the more necessary to unite and amplify the fan base through passionate people.

Roaring Riot is essentially a membership entity uniting willing Panthers fans by traveling to away games, showing out at home games, and creating experiences that last more than a season.

“The root of everything we do is about being together,” said Luttrell. “We travel together, stay at the same hotels, tailgate together, and, most importantly, we sit together at the games.”

Although simple in nature, Luttrell and co-founder Joe Ryan has established a mission that works and produces results.

Beginning in 2008 in Atlanta, an idea blossomed into a 2009 “Georgia Dome Takeover.” From then, Roaring Riot has instilled its brand in Charlotte and across the NFL as a network with over 5,500 Panthers fans.

“What we have done is provide a platform for Panthers fans to connect with one another, whether it be at home games or most certainly in other cities, spanning 44 states and 14 countries,” said Luttrell.

SEE MORE: Exploring Fan Experience Trends and Opportunities

As an organization of this stature, success will not arise in one season, nor will a following. As any good startup company or entity knows, one must have solid branding and a clear image.

“There are an honesty and passion that embodies the Roaring Riot brand, and it all starts with the people involved,” said Tim Rebich, principal at Varsity Partners. “As a member, you are not just handed a t-shirt and a sticker, but an active part of a fan base driven by grassroots fan experiences and community impact.”

Initially, Rebich and Luttrell worked together to define the foundational brand ethos, which helped transform a traveling group of friends into what Roaring Riot would become. The Roaring Riot then took a life of its own, setting up grassroots events, social media and coordinating travel and tailgate experiences.

“The culture of the Roaring Riot is the brand,” said Rebich. “It’s fun to watch fans become part of the Roaring Riot, and then make it into their own experience.”

So much of the Roaring Riot is centered on experiences and traveling, but Luttrell knows community building is the cornerstone. “Communities bond everyone over their love of the team, which enables them to embrace their differences.”

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

Roaring Riot believes it does not matter if you have been involved for a long time, been to away game experiences, tailgates or are a first-timer; people should make the experience.

“By the end of the experience, you’ve met a ton of new Panthers fans and in most cases leave with several new friends,” said Luttrell. “Our group is a family, and all of our members treat one another as such.”

(*Varsity Partners are a Proud Partner of Front Office Sports)

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Spring Football’s Big Bet: An Unlikely TV Marriage, and Crazy Rules

The United Football League launches this weekend on ESPN and Fox.

‘Good Morning Football’ Beginning Mysterious Timeout Before L.A. Move

Friday is the final broadcast of ‘Good Morning Football’ from New York.

Jets Owner Blasts ‘False’ Reporting From League-Owned Outlet

League owners and NFL Media rarely criticize each other.

NFL to Auction Media Rights to Two Christmas Day Games

Bidding is likely to start at $50 million, say sources, but analysts expect the games to go for far more.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the Timberwolves Sale was Called Off

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) react in overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center.
March 27, 2024

‘An Expensive Game’: March Madness and NIL Collectives Are Intertwined

At schools nationwide, collectives are fueling NCAA tournament runs and vice versa.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits to be announced in the starting lineup against West Virginia in a NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Monday, March 25, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
March 26, 2024

The Women’s Trading Card Market Is Overlooked. Can Caitlin Clark Change That?

Traditionally, women’s sports cards have been a marginal part of collectibles.
The Sports Illustrated cover signed by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, February 27, 2019, at Don & Charlie's, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Don Charlie S
March 24, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Ongoing ‘Sports Illustrated’ Saga

Understanding the strange state of affairs for the nearly 70-year-old publication.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers
FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid in Texas.

FC Barcelona, Real Madrid Set AT&T Stadium Soccer Attendance Record

Sixth Street organized the match as part its U.S. Soccer Champions Tour.
Las-Vegas-Grand-Prix
November 14, 2022

Vegas Resorts Going All Out for Formula 1 Grand Prix

MGM Resorts will build a grandstand for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
A young fan holds a sign for Julio Rodriguez during the 2023 MLB Home Run Derby.
July 12, 2023

MLB Median Ticket Buyer Down to 43 Years Old

Games are shorter and higher scoring thanks to new rules.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
Sponsored

How QuintEvents is Changing the Game of Premium Fan Experiences

Over the last decade, we’ve seen a noticeable shift in the psyche…
MLB
October 7, 2022

MLB Attendance Pops Up, But Falls Below 2019 Levels

MLB attendance rose from 2021, but still lagged behind 2019 levels.
September 16, 2022

Baron Davis, Michele Roberts Help Launch Fan Controlled Hoops

The league will begin its inaugural season on Feb. 7, 2023 in Atlanta.
Sponsored

Webinar: How to Improve the Fan Experience at the Stadium and Online

Learn how pro sports teams are improving the fan experience.