A new social network has just entered the fray — one that hopes to turn trash-talking sports fans into big business — and a Bermudian man is behind it all.Ralph Richardson, Jnr is the chief product officer for Heckler Sports — the social network that wants fans to cheer, chat and jeer with one another during games like game two of the NBA Finals tonight as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat meet.The service, available online (hecklersports.com) and as an iPhone app, allows users to share their sports interests — no matter what the sport or team they support.“Bermudians will love this app,” Mr Richardson said. “They'll be able to connect with friends and sports fans all over the world and have conversations, discussions and engage while watching their favourite sporting event wherever they are.”Heckler Sports is a small start-up based in Berkeley, California with a team of ten — four full-time employees and five contractors. Mr Richardson joined the company a little over a year ago.“I know the founders personally and was so excited about the opportunity,” he said. “When they told me about what they were doing, I knew I had to be involved. My consulting company, Maven 2.0 specialises in supporting start-ups with product development, web and mobile design, project management and branding. I lead a team of seasoned engineers, designers and front-end developers who are fully engaged in this project.”The project isn't backed by the same old Silicon Valley sources either. Chief operating officer and co-founder, Erin Ngeno and fellow co-founder and CEO, Baayan Bakari raised the majority of the $1.1 million in funding with the help of former NFL football players, Tim Brown and Everson Walls.Mr Brown is a former a Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame — the first wide receiver ever to win the award. He went on to be one of the NFL's most prolific wild receivers playing for the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders. Mr Walls is a former Pro-Bowler who played cornerback for the Dallas Cownboys, NY Giants and Cleveland Browns. He won a Super Bowl while with the Giants.Mr Brown and Mr Walls say that as ex-athletes, they're always asked about games. Now users have the chance to chat directly with them or other pro athletes during a live sporting event.”I'm thrilled to be a part of Heckler Sports,” Mr Brown said. “Wherever I plan to watch a game, I have a whole community of friends and fans at my fingertips to enjoy the game with. It's like having the excitement of the stadium in my living room.”Whether enjoying a game from the stadium, the airport, a local bar stool or the comfort of the couch, the company says with Heckler, fans will never miss a high five moment or opportunity to bash a bad call again.Mr Richardson likens it to Facebook meets Twitter meets ESPN and while there is a full supply of online forums for fans, the company's executives say they hope to build Heckler into the world's premier social media sports network.With millions of sports fans interacting on Facebook, following their favourite teams on Twitter, and chatting with one another in ESPN Sportsnation chat rooms, it's a pretty crowded field. The company's founders hope Heckler will cut through all the noise and become the place for sports fans looking for a specific social network.“The future of social networking is in shared interests,” said Baayan Bakari, CEO and co-founder of Heckler Sports. “Sports are meant to be social — whether fans are cheering from the stands, gathering at a local sports bar, or playing in their own sports league. People want to do more than just watch the game — they want to discuss it, share their excitement with other enthusiasts and really be a part of the action. Heckler makes all this possible.”Mr Richardson, who worked for Butterfield Bank here in Bermuda before moving to California in 2001, says that while his degree is in finance, his love is for tech.“After four years in banking, I made the leap and started Maven right before moving to California,” he said. “We had great success for our clients and enjoy working on joint ventures such as Heckler Sports.”Mr Richardson says he thinks the social networking app is going to take off and he's certain sports fans in Bermuda will love it too.“My favourite thing about the app is that it provides me with the best place to engage with other sports fans — from friends in my close circle to professional athletes,” Mr Richardson said. “I think it's going to become the place for sports fans to engage, connect, discuss and get sports news information.”