Professional sports are a popular topic of conversation on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. According to Tariq Ahmad, the NBA is the biggest social media player. The NBA and its teams have successfully used social media tools to market its product and players to fans and grow the popularity of professional basketball. The league's individual players and journalists have also been successful in using social networks for their own purposes, as fans often turn to Facebook for post-game video and photo content.

Ahmad discusses the hits and misses the NBA and its 30 franchises have had in the social media space. He also explains how fans have gone on to follow more than just their favorite team's players on Twitter, making the individual personalities of players important factors in marketing decisions.

Click here to listen to Social Media and the NBA: Where It's @.

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Photo of Tariq Ahmad speaking at SXSW 2011 by Earl McGehee.