Creating a Waitlist Hub App Prototype for the Seattle Seahawks App
During Winter 2025, I had the opportunity to work on a research project with the Seattle Seahawks, where our team was tasked with analyzing the season ticket waitlist experience and proposing strategies to boost fan engagement and conversion. While I can't share specifics due to the nature of the data, the work centered on understanding how fans move through different stages of the season ticket waitlist pipeline and identifying pain points along the way. As a team of five, we combined statistical modeling with sentiment analysis to dig into behavioral trends and fan sentiment—and then turned those insights into actionable recommendations.
One of the key outcomes of this project was the concept for a mobile app "Waitlist Hub", designed to serve as the central engagement platform for fans. Our prototype aimed to make the waitlist feel less like a black box and more like a guided experience. It includes features like real-time status updates, personalized notifications, an in-app resale marketplace, and engagement rewards to help keep fans connected during long wait times. With younger fans relying heavily on mobile platforms, we wanted the app to feel intuitive and interactive—something that fits naturally into their digital routines. I also mocked up an email newsletter that would help support local businesses and get young people excited about attending Seahawks games.
Another one of our ideas was to pivot the current season ticket resale system from being able to sell to anyone to only Seahawks fans. I conducted sentiment analysis and found that lots of fans were frustrated that the crowd contained more away fans than home fans on occasion. This is a big problem when you have fans that want to be in a welcoming environment and fully enjoy themselves at Seahawks’ home games. So we came up with the idea of a resale marketplace on the app, where season ticket holders can sell their tickets straight to prospective season ticket holders. This would ensure that the home games would be primarily Seahawks fans and would keep resale prices from going too high. After finishing the project with the Seahawks, an ESPN article was written regarding the season ticket reselling, so it seems like the key stakeholders really listened! To see the article for yourself, you can find it here.
Throughout the process, I helped guide the data methodology and collaborated on app design with a focus on usability and fan engagement. We used logistic regression models to assess key behaviors tied to conversion and sentiment analysis to incorporate the voice of the fan. Our final presentation emphasized the importance of combining data-driven strategy with thoughtful user experience. There were three other project teams competing against us, and the stakeholders on the Seahawks voted our group to be the winner—showcasing our dedication to excellence and determination to think outside of the box for creative solutions.