Are Professional Sports Slowly Dying?

tempo_n_groove

erebus said:

The next evolution is video gaming

all ready on tv, there are pro teams and lots of money involved. I think the top Fortnite player was making about a million per month!!!!!
not for me, but that's what the next generation is getting into

That and being a YouTube star. 

pearljammr78

bootlegger10 said:

I was working today.  On a Sunday.  I was down, I admit.  A beautiful day outside.  But then, I remembered and said to myself,  "Damnit bootlegger, there are people around the globe stretching their ankles at this very moment.  Don't you ever feel like you have it bad because there is always someone out there in worse condition.  For SHAME, bootlegger.  For shame."

Two weeks ago I was feeling pretty good about a job I finished at work.  I was feeling like a hero.  I accomplished so much.  But then I said to myself, "bootlegger, you are not a hero.  There are people out there this very moment stretching their ankles.  Even the higher parts of their ankles.  And for what?   $10M dollars?  The ankle stretchers are the real heroes. For SHAME, bootlegger.  For shame." 

I am hard on myself.  I should talk to someone about being more positive to myself. 

Literally 30 seconds after this post I said to myself, "Bootlegger, you think you are too hard on yourself?  There are people out there being told by their employer paid doctors to stretch...their....ankles.  Some both, some just one ankle.  Regardless, to think that you being hard on yourself even equates to some person that pays you $10M asking you to stretch your ankle is shameful.  For SHAME bootlegger.  For shame." 

This is hilarious. 

pearljammr78

The NFL season just started and I could zero fucks but for one reason. One and only reason. That means fall is around the corner. The greatest season of all seasons. Nothing comes close to fall. 

PureandEasy

I can only offer my opinion here.  I LOVE baseball.  I LOVE the Phillies.  I can watch any two teams in a playoff situation and enjoy the game. 

I USED to love hockey.  After the last strike and rule changes, I tried to watch again, but it just gave me a headache.  I guess they lost me during the strike.  I no longer follow any team, any stats, not even aware of the standings any more.  But if I come across a game on a Saturday afternoon, I’ll watch for a few minutes. No investment whatsoever.  Let’s put it this way, the biggest event I paid attention to recently relating to hockey was Gritty.  What does that tell you??

Back to baseball, I have Comcast internet and cable.  I pay $140 a month for that service.  Guess what, I don’t have access to Phillies or Flyers games.  I have to pay more to have access.  And guess what, not willing to do it.

As far as the NFL, I’m a woman, enough said.  They can crash and burn for all I care, but that’s never going to happen.  At least I can sit back and know I have provided no support. 

 

Analyze that . . .

The Juggler

pearljammr78 said:

The NFL season just started and I could zero fucks but for one reason. One and only reason. That means fall is around the corner. The greatest season of all seasons. Nothing comes close to fall. 

Take a gander at the ratings this game pulls in to see how ridiculous this thread is. 

pearljammr78

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

The NFL season just started and I could zero fucks but for one reason. One and only reason. That means fall is around the corner. The greatest season of all seasons. Nothing comes close to fall. 

Take a gander at the ratings this game pulls in to see how ridiculous this thread is. 

You know what else gets ratings. Real Housewives. The Kardashian’s. Fox News. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s not cleverly marketed bullshit. 

The Juggler

pearljammr78 said:

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

The NFL season just started and I could zero fucks but for one reason. One and only reason. That means fall is around the corner. The greatest season of all seasons. Nothing comes close to fall. 

Take a gander at the ratings this game pulls in to see how ridiculous this thread is. 

You know what else gets ratings. Real Housewives. The Kardashian’s. Fox News. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s not cleverly marketed bullshit. 

"Are Professional Sports Dying?" This is the title of your thread. This would lead one to believe you're wondering if professional sports are losing their popularity. What other metric would you discern that they are dying? Pray tell.

I despise the Kardashians and the Housewives and most of Fox News.....however, just because I feel that way does not mean, in any way shape or form, that they are "dying." You've apparently lost interest in sports. But your opinion cannot be extrapolated to the entire viewing public. 

pearljammr78

I do admit. It’s a horrible title of a thread and yes, I have lost my passion for sports. Rating will be huge for sure. It just seems the quality is gone. But that just might be the cynic in me.  To put it shortly, I’m an idiot and don’t know how to articulate what I mean. My apologies to everyone involved. 

The Juggler

pearljammr78 said:

I do admit. It’s a horrible title of a thread and yes, I have lost my passion for sports. Rating will be huge for sure. It just seems the quality is gone. But that just might be the cynic in me.  To put it shortly, I’m an idiot and don’t know how to articulate what I mean. My apologies to everyone involved. 

I TOTALLY agree with you on the quality! This goes for all major sports (and, I'm assuming hockey?). Bad rule changes and too much expansion, which has diluted the talent pool, are the cause in my opinion.

pjhawks

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

The NFL season just started and I could zero fucks but for one reason. One and only reason. That means fall is around the corner. The greatest season of all seasons. Nothing comes close to fall. 

Take a gander at the ratings this game pulls in to see how ridiculous this thread is. 

You know what else gets ratings. Real Housewives. The Kardashian’s. Fox News. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s not cleverly marketed bullshit. 

"Are Professional Sports Dying?" This is the title of your thread. This would lead one to believe you're wondering if professional sports are losing their popularity. What other metric would you discern that they are dying? Pray tell.

I despise the Kardashians and the Housewives and most of Fox News.....however, just because I feel that way does not mean, in any way shape or form, that they are "dying." You've apparently lost interest in sports. But your opinion cannot be extrapolated to the entire viewing public. 

The nfl draws about 10x the audience of those shows. The nfl is the highest rated tv show every week of the season. Nfl is a bad example to use. 

The Juggler

pjhawks said:

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

The NFL season just started and I could zero fucks but for one reason. One and only reason. That means fall is around the corner. The greatest season of all seasons. Nothing comes close to fall. 

Take a gander at the ratings this game pulls in to see how ridiculous this thread is. 

You know what else gets ratings. Real Housewives. The Kardashian’s. Fox News. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s not cleverly marketed bullshit. 

"Are Professional Sports Dying?" This is the title of your thread. This would lead one to believe you're wondering if professional sports are losing their popularity. What other metric would you discern that they are dying? Pray tell.

I despise the Kardashians and the Housewives and most of Fox News.....however, just because I feel that way does not mean, in any way shape or form, that they are "dying." You've apparently lost interest in sports. But your opinion cannot be extrapolated to the entire viewing public. 

The nfl draws about 10x the audience of those shows. The nfl is the highest rated tv show every week of the season. Nfl is a bad example to use. 

It’s all relative 

tempo_n_groove

pjhawks said:

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

The NFL season just started and I could zero fucks but for one reason. One and only reason. That means fall is around the corner. The greatest season of all seasons. Nothing comes close to fall. 

Take a gander at the ratings this game pulls in to see how ridiculous this thread is. 

You know what else gets ratings. Real Housewives. The Kardashian’s. Fox News. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s not cleverly marketed bullshit. 

"Are Professional Sports Dying?" This is the title of your thread. This would lead one to believe you're wondering if professional sports are losing their popularity. What other metric would you discern that they are dying? Pray tell.

I despise the Kardashians and the Housewives and most of Fox News.....however, just because I feel that way does not mean, in any way shape or form, that they are "dying." You've apparently lost interest in sports. But your opinion cannot be extrapolated to the entire viewing public. 

The nfl draws about 10x the audience of those shows. The nfl is the highest rated tv show every week of the season. Nfl is a bad example to use. 

But, but Kaepernick, but, but kneeling, but, but the flag?!?!?!

All Bullshit.

They will still watch.

MayDay10

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

I do admit. It’s a horrible title of a thread and yes, I have lost my passion for sports. Rating will be huge for sure. It just seems the quality is gone. But that just might be the cynic in me.  To put it shortly, I’m an idiot and don’t know how to articulate what I mean. My apologies to everyone involved. 

I TOTALLY agree with you on the quality! This goes for all major sports (and, I'm assuming hockey?). Bad rule changes and too much expansion, which has diluted the talent pool, are the cause in my opinion.

The quality of player is better than its ever been.  2017 The Arizona Coyotes would squash the 1978 Canadiens.  The 2018 Bills would roll the 85 Bears.

The problems are a few things... but mainly it is the money.  The players make too much, and live lavishly with too much to lose.  The amount of revenue coming in, of course they deserve it... but having wealthy players, each one representing a "brand".  Its bad and affects day to day performance and desire.  You get bigger personalities all over the place and many individuals.
The money flows into everything else.  Costs a lot to attend games.  Get overwhelmed with marketing.  The minor leagues (hockey and baseball) have completely capitulated and are subservient to the big clubs with no semblance of competition.  

I have a make-believe sliding scale that I call the sports quality scale....  The closer the athletes are to indentured servants, the better and more entertaining the sport is.  NCAA Football is absolutely great to watch.  I like Major Canadian Junior Hockey (which is the NCAA Football equivalent) as well.


Rules have effected it.  Replay has taken a huge chunk of the experience out of it.  Instead of seeing an exciting play at the plate and your guy being called safe and celebrating.  Now we half-cheer, dreading a replay.  Wait for the decision to challenge, then wait for the review.  Then half cheer if it is confirmed or feel disappointment if its reversed.  Its like that in all sports, whether its a ludicrous offsides challenge in hockey or a big fumble and recovery.


The overall quality, size, speed, and efficiency of player is also a negative effect.  They are too good overall on the professional level.  The coaching is way to sophisticated.  The technology with studying film and analytics is fine-tuning perfection.  It all cancels each other out and games are largely just waiting it out to see who makes a mistake first.  I believe this is what makes people think it is 'watered down'.  

tempo_n_groove

MayDay10 said:

The Juggler said:

pearljammr78 said:

I do admit. It’s a horrible title of a thread and yes, I have lost my passion for sports. Rating will be huge for sure. It just seems the quality is gone. But that just might be the cynic in me.  To put it shortly, I’m an idiot and don’t know how to articulate what I mean. My apologies to everyone involved. 

I TOTALLY agree with you on the quality! This goes for all major sports (and, I'm assuming hockey?). Bad rule changes and too much expansion, which has diluted the talent pool, are the cause in my opinion.

The quality of player is better than its ever been.  2017 The Arizona Coyotes would squash the 1978 Canadiens.  The 2018 Bills would roll the 85 Bears.

The problems are a few things... but mainly it is the money.  The players make too much, and live lavishly with too much to lose.  The amount of revenue coming in, of course they deserve it... but having wealthy players, each one representing a "brand".  Its bad and affects day to day performance and desire.  You get bigger personalities all over the place and many individuals.
The money flows into everything else.  Costs a lot to attend games.  Get overwhelmed with marketing.  The minor leagues (hockey and baseball) have completely capitulated and are subservient to the big clubs with no semblance of competition.  

I have a make-believe sliding scale that I call the sports quality scale....  The closer the athletes are to indentured servants, the better and more entertaining the sport is.  NCAA Football is absolutely great to watch.  I like Major Canadian Junior Hockey (which is the NCAA Football equivalent) as well.


Rules have effected it.  Replay has taken a huge chunk of the experience out of it.  Instead of seeing an exciting play at the plate and your guy being called safe and celebrating.  Now we half-cheer, dreading a replay.  Wait for the decision to challenge, then wait for the review.  Then half cheer if it is confirmed or feel disappointment if its reversed.  Its like that in all sports, whether its a ludicrous offsides challenge in hockey or a big fumble and recovery.


The overall quality, size, speed, and efficiency of player is also a negative effect.  They are too good overall on the professional level.  The coaching is way to sophisticated.  The technology with studying film and analytics is fine-tuning perfection.  It all cancels each other out and games are largely just waiting it out to see who makes a mistake first.  I believe this is what makes people think it is 'watered down'.  

You want cheaper?

Don't pay bottom tier QB's a kings ransom.  Stop paying players like Odell Beckham, Richie Incognito, Terrell Owens, and Antonio Brown.  Well they actually stopped paying Owens and that is why he had to stop playing, his luck ran out ot teams w patience rather..

MayDay10

They will get paid.  They are unionized, collectively bargained, and there are many billions of dollars coming in.  Someone is going to get that.  Honestly, Id prefer the players who are getting their heads caved in receive it over billionaire owners.

The Juggler

I’m not so sure the quality of the player is better. The overall athleticism is obviously better but fundamentally? I’m not so sure...

The Juggler

But it’s also expansion. It has diluted the talent pool. There a lot more pro athletes today than 30 years ago simply because there are more teams. 

Cliffy6745

The quality of player is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better in every sport.

To Ottavino's point, he would strike out Babe Ruth every time.

Kevin Durant would beat Bob Cousy 21-0 with a blown Achilles. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE5SDgXLb1g

MayDay10

There are so many more quality athletes out there.  Exponential.  Think about the number of countries that have quality development programs, the amount of humans on earth, the training and nutritional knowledge applied to athletes.  It is unheard of, even from just 25 years ago.

Fundamentally, just as good/better, but the fundamentals have changed.  A goaltender used to need to be agile and ultra-reactive.  Nowadays, they are a spreadsheet.  They need to be agile, but they know exactly where to be to make themselves the biggest/leave as little of an opening as possible based on where the puck is.  They memorize tendencies of the shooters.  Maximize the size of the equipment.  Being a gargantuan is also an trait that teams draft for.  Its not real exciting to watch, it clogs the game down, but it is effective.  

The only thing that may be watered down is quarterback play in the NFL.  But that seems to have been the case for a long time.

tempo_n_groove

Cliffy6745 said:

The quality of player is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better in every sport.

To Ottavino's point, he would strike out Babe Ruth every time.

Kevin Durant would beat Bob Cousy 21-0 with a blown Achilles. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE5SDgXLb1g

Bob Cousy is 6'1" so I hope Durant could beat him, lol.

As for Ruth getting struck out?  Not so sure.  They through junk ball spitters back in the day and still had some fireball throwers.  Hand eye is still there.

But as for overall quality of a player, yes, it is better.

Better training, nutrition and medicine now.