Professional Sports: How to fix them?

[Lavabe]

Given the news that the NBA is hurting financially, and the frequent discussions we've had about the state of the NHL, and the dismal state of both MLB and MLS, and well, let's add in the NFL too (they may be heading for a work stoppage in 2011):

What concrete steps should the professional sports industry take to correct issues like dropping ratings and revenue from television; long-term health effects on athletes; alienation of fans; sagging attendance; and more?

In a few threads, we have also discussed horrible leadership in some of the leagues. Are there any solutions?

[YmoBeThere]

They need more cowbell...

[YmoBeThere]

But seriously, I don't watch nearly as much as I used to. Baseball will be the exception to the statement. And I still watch our games, but not as closely or as dilligently as before.

I do think prices for attending games have gotten too high for the average family and as our illustrious President noted when talking about Wall Street pay, there are professional athletes who take home millions yet they and there teams don't really go anywhere.

So, not proposing any solutions at the moment...

[Rolvix]

Stop paying athletes so much.

Pay them more than they would most likely make somewhere else, but not millions of dollars

Nah, I have no idea.
College sports rule!

[Miles]

Too many teams, too many games. Get rid of the in-season series in NHL, MLB, or shorten the in-season series. It's ridiculous that you'll play a team from your division almost 20 times in a season (MLB).

Improve the stadium experience for NBA games. I'd rather eat car batteries than put up with the noise and chaos blasted through the PA system.

Stop expansion. Now.

Make teams self-sufficient. No more tax payer dollars, or back room deals to lure teams to cities. If owners are held accountable (have to win to make a profit) perhaps they'll make wiser business decisions which would lead to a more enjoyable experience.

Stop this local blackout bullshit.

[wilson]

Too many teams, too many games. Get rid of the in-season series in NHL, MLB, or shorten the in-season series. It's ridiculous that you'll play a team from your division almost 20 times in a season (MLB).

Improve the stadium experience for NBA games. I'd rather eat car batteries than put up with the noise and chaos blasted through the PA system.

Stop expansion. Now.

Make teams self-sufficient. No more tax payer dollars, or back room deals to lure teams to cities. If owners are held accountable (have to win to make a profit) perhaps they'll make wiser business decisions which would lead to a more enjoyable experience.

Stop this local blackout bullshit.

I agree with all of this; well said.
I also think all sports franchises could take a page from the New Orleans Saints' book. They have played a very real community role in post-Katrina New Orleans, and even better than that, they have seemed to genuinely enjoy it and grasp its significance. This is why, even though the Saints are the Falcons' supposedly hated rival, I can't possibly convince myself that their Super Bowl victory is in any way objectionable.

[wilson]

Seriously...why do they play music the whole way through an NBA game? It's so annoying...sounds like a fucking nightclub.

[Lavabe]

Seriously...why do they play music the whole way through an NBA game? It's so annoying...sounds like a fucking nightclub.

Because they have a long-standing deal with the Alan Parsons Project.

That and they want it to sound like a nightclub.

[wilson]

That and they want it to sound like a nightclub.

Well, after all, I guess the majority of the players feel most at home in such an environment.

[Lavabe]

That and they want it to sound like a nightclub.

Well, after all, I guess the majority of the players feel most at home in such an environment.

Do they now have stripper poles at NBA games?

[wilson]

That and they want it to sound like a nightclub.

Well, after all, I guess the majority of the players feel most at home in such an environment.

Do they now have stripper poles at NBA games?

Seriously...what is it with professional athletes and strippers?

[Miles]

Do they now have stripper poles at NBA games?

Seriously...what is it with professional athletes and strippers?[/quote]
Kelly and I talking about something similar on Saturday, and I think it stems from a lack of satisfaction in their lives. Some are morally vacant, and emotionally incomplete. All of the bling, big screen tvs, cars, swimming pools and guns in the world cannot fill that void. In a sense, they just don't or cannot appreciate the little things in life. So where do you go next? Sex!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Seriously...why do they play music the whole way through an NBA game? It's so annoying...sounds like a fucking nightclub.

They even do that in D-League games...and it sounds particularily sad when there are only 3 people in the stands. Like a junior high dance with 4 kids dancing.

[Lavabe]

Seriously...why do they play music the whole way through an NBA game? It's so annoying...sounds like a fucking nightclub.

They even do that in D-League games...and it sounds particularily sad when there are only 3 people in the stands. Like a junior high dance with 4 kids dancing.

Given the NBA's news, what's the over/under on how much more time for the D-League?

I suspect that in a cost-cutting move, the D-League, the CBA, etc... will soon cease to be. It'll go back to the ol' fashioned system of expecting the colleges to be the farm system. If you can't make it in the first two rounds of the draft, you go abroad, become a coach at some level, or your career is over.

[EarlJam]

Seriously...why do they play music the whole way through an NBA game? It's so annoying...sounds like a fucking nightclub.

Agreed. I really can't see why NBA teams don't go the college route and have a band in the stands. Yes, takes up more seats, but I think it would really add to the experience.

As for sports in general, the obvious answer is to somehow lower prices. It would be nice if the athletes would get somewhat of a clue and realize how damn lucky they are. Okay, maybe not "lucky," as I know they work their ass off on their craft; but come on. For playing a kid's game, you're getting paid millions. And if not millions, enough money to to turn it into millions.

When it cost me, the average Joe, $50+ to go to one Braves game, something is drastically wrong. Baseball used to be the "family" sport. How much would it cost to take your family to an MLB game now? $150? With 162 games a season, that's just wrong.

-EJ

[Miles]

Seriously...why do they play music the whole way through an NBA game? It's so annoying...sounds like a fucking nightclub.

Agreed. I really can't see why NBA teams don't go the college route and have a band in the stands. Yes, takes up more seats, but I think it would really add to the experience.

As for sports in general, the obvious answer is to somehow lower prices. It would be nice if the athletes would get somewhat of a clue and realize how damn lucky they are. Okay, maybe not "lucky," as I know they work their ass off on their craft; but come on. For playing a kid's game, you're getting paid millions. And if not millions, enough money to to turn it into millions.

When it cost me, the average Joe, $50+ to go to one Braves game, something is drastically wrong. Baseball used to be the "family" sport. How much would it cost to take your family to an MLB game now? $150? With 162 games a season, that's just wrong.

-EJ

There are some ballparks that are addressing the issue of ticket cost, especially for families. I've only been to one park, Petco in San Diego, that has a great family offering. Actually, it's phenomenal. Park in the Park has a mini baseball field, bleacher seats, a picnic area and a big ass hill that gives a decent view of the ball park, not to mention the Park in the Park goes all the down to field level. It's pretty cool to see little kids building sand castles and playing in the dirt during a game. It's perfect for a family that has small children who may not fully appreciate the game yet and it's a pretty awesome deal for older kids that enjoy the game but would also have fun participating in pregame activities.

Park pass is $5. The Bleacher seats, that go all the way down to the field, $10.

San Diego is doing it right. Now they just need pitching, hitting and fielding.

[wilson]

When it cost me, the average Joe, $50+ to go to one Braves game, something is drastically wrong. Baseball used to be the "family" sport. How much would it cost to take your family to an MLB game now? $150? With 162 games a season, that's just wrong.

-EJ

There are ways to do a Braves game vastly more economically than this. When this season starts, I will show you the tricks.
Hint: They involve 2-for-1 nights, big beers in the car/parking lot, grilling out, and flasks.

[Miles]

When it cost me, the average Joe, $50+ to go to one Braves game, something is drastically wrong. Baseball used to be the "family" sport. How much would it cost to take your family to an MLB game now? $150? With 162 games a season, that's just wrong.

-EJ

There are ways to do a Braves game vastly more economically than this. When this season starts, I will show you the tricks.
Hint: They involve 2-for-1 nights, big beers in the car/parking lot, grilling out, and flasks.

Let me know when you fools are down, I'll make the roadtrip.

[Lavabe]

Replace Bud Selig with Bob Costas.

It could happen.

[wilson]

A scathing, extremely well-composed critique of the NBA's situation from Bill Simmons (and say what you will about Simmons, but he knows this stuff):
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... ons/100224