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Can A National Quasi-Religion (Pro Sports) Go Broke?

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Charles Hugh-Smith of OfTwoMinds blog,

Attending costly games is on the margins of the household budget. When the credit card gets maxed out, attending is no longer an option.

Please understand I'm not suggesting professional sports isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread: I'm simply asking if attending pro sports games has become unaffordable to the average American.

Who cares as long as we can watch the games for free on television, right? That raises another issue: in the next recession, will advertisers still pay billions of dollars for broadcast TV ads on sports channels when ads on mobile devices distributed via Big Data analysis can directly target the (shrinking) populace who still has disposable income to spend?

Before we look at the money side of pro sports, let's note the glorious shared experience of "our team" winning and hated rivals losing. Sports is one of the few experiences that unites a remarkably diverse populace, and one of the few spheres of life that isn't politicized to ruination.

We all get to live vicariously through sports, and the stranger cheering beside us is suddenly a "friendly" in a largely hostile world.

With apologies to Dallas Cowboys fans: Joe Montana to Dwight Clark-- The Catch in January 1982: (Cowboys fans have many memorable moments to savor, including a number in this game)

Montana to Clark - The Catch (2:24)

The problem is that attending a game is prohibitively expensive. A seat in the nosebleed section might only be $15, but there's parking (or train fare), and the $10 beer and the $10 hotdog. That's $40 - $50 for one fan or $80 for two people.

Given that the average wage is $44,000, $80 for "cheap seats at the game" is not inconsequential. Given that many clubs are now pricing tickets by demand, it's easy for two people to spend $200 to attend a game.

How many people can afford to attend games on a regular basis without maxing out a credit card or drawing on a home equity line of credit (assuming there's home equity to tap)?

Cities desperate to retain pro franchises are on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars spent building $1+ billion stadiums. Many claim that they'll recoup the money from hotels and shopping malls built adjacent to the stadium, but this gargantuan cash flow has yet to actually materialize.

The winner take all dynamic of our pop culture has driven salaries and team overhead costs into the stratosphere. This pushes costs so high that teams literally can't afford a losing season. Alas, not every team can win the conference, much less the championship.

The assumption that TV ad revenues will continue to support the enormous costs of the system is rarely questioned. The ads have to work to make sense, and in an economy in which the average wage earner is making less money every year (measured by purchasing power rather than nominal dollars), and more and more of the dwindling income is devoted to healthcare, taxes, debt service and essentials, there are two questions here:

1. What good is an ad if the viewers have no disposable money to spend?

2. Rather than pay to broadcast an ad to every viewer, few of whom are in the market for whatever item you're selling, why not target the core audience directly with mobile ads?

If an advertiser is marketing beer that (in Mike Royko's memorable phrase) tastes like it's been strained through a horse, where's the most bang for the ad buck--a broadcast ad to sports fans who have seen hundreds of beer ads and are either already fans of the swill being advertised or consumers who will never buy the product, regardless of ads, pricing, etc.?

The typical ad-industry justification is that if Swill A can capture 1% of market share from SWill B, spending tens of millions of dollars on TV network ads is a wise investment.

But does this argument hold up when advertisers can target beer buyers with a history of buying Swill A and B directly via their mobile phones as they enter the supermarket? Which ad do you reckon has a higher probability of modifying consumer choice, another beer ad that viewers mute/ignore, or a coupon delivered to the beer buyer at the point of purchase?

In short, the mobile ad revolution has barely begun, and while broadcast ads on TV, radio and the Internet will all still attract advert money, it seems highly likely we've reached Peak Broadcast TV Advertising income.

Take a glance at this chart of household income: every sector from wealthy to low-income is bringing home less money. What does that tell you about the future of advertising?

Based on anecdotal evidence submitted by readers and correspondents, it seems that much of the discretionary spending on things like attending sports events and concerts is being funded with debt or drawdowns of savings/equity. In other words, people are charging big-bucks tickets on their credit card, not paying for them out of weekly earnings.

There may be a generational component as well. Most of the people in the top 10% of household income are Baby Boomers in their peak earning years. On the face of it, they can easily afford to pay for costly tickets, parking, beer, etc. at one of the sports industry's new secular cathedrals (i.e. stadiums).

But these same people are often also paying for kids' college and funding care for their aging parents. $200,000 a year looks great until you subtract taxes, college costs, assisted living costs for a parent, a big mortgage and rising costs for essentials.

My point is: going to games is now like going to concerts or a fancy restaurant: each consumes a major chunk of dwindling discretionary income. As credit and income tighten, it's getting easier to decide to forego the concert, game or high-end dining experience.

In other words, attending costly games is on the margins of the household budget. When the credit card gets maxed out, attending is no longer an option.

I haven't found any studies on this question, but I also wonder if Gen Y is as committed to the idea of investing so much time and money in sports as their elders. If they are indeed less invested, this adds additional weight to the idea that we've reached Peak Pro Sports.

I confess I'm jaded. I don't have the time or emotional surplus to invest in following sports, and I tend to see the sports industry as just another bloated cartel that rips off its customers because it can, enriching a handful of super-wealthy owners who bask in the reflected glory of a secular religion.

Put the trends together and it certainly looks like the sports cartel has already sucked up all the oxygen in the room. In the next recession, we may find that pro sports will no longer be able to support the sky-high costs of its overhead and secular cathedrals.

 

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Fri, 08/29/2014 - 11:59 | 5158785 saints51
saints51's picture

The worship of false idols. Nothing more.Nothing less

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:01 | 5158798 outamyeffinway
outamyeffinway's picture

No one paid at the Coliseum and the bread was free.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:06 | 5158820 Vampyroteuthis ...
Vampyroteuthis infernalis's picture

Simple solution to this problem. Stop paying athletes millions of dollars to play a children's game. This also goes for coaches and everyone else in the food chain.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:17 | 5158879 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

I'm guessing Steve Ballmer is going to be the greatest fool, having bought at the peak.

Then again, he might just end up the world's biggest welfare queen?

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:37 | 5159686 Not Too Important
Not Too Important's picture

One case of US Ebola and large crowds are over. No sports, no malls, no concerts, no parades, nothing.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 17:09 | 5160263 Miffed Microbio...
Miffed Microbiologist's picture

Actually, just a rumor could do it. Can you imagine then what would happen if someone with a bloody nose in public complained of a fever? A deadly stampede on so many levels.

Miffed;-)

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 19:44 | 5160802 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

Combine a bloody nose (poorly managed hypertension) with conjunctivitis (atopy or infection), and you may have "hit the jackpot".

How about adding a side helping of diarrhoea ('cause of the extra-hot chili from last night's "Pre-Game Celebrations") and you'll have them running for their lives.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:21 | 5158907 JRobby
JRobby's picture

Funny

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:25 | 5158933 maskone909
maskone909's picture

will the NFL/NBA ect go broke>?  i dont think so.  untill competing leagues start paying more(china and canada) they can just lower the salaries of the players.  go ahead and strike, they will find very quickly that our hebrew friends like adam silver wont compromise.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:00 | 5159173 BuddyEffed
BuddyEffed's picture

Even the Tullet Prebon "Perfect Storm" white paper on our economic model mentioned how building new stadiums could appear to be a misallocation of resources.

http://www.tullettprebon.com/Documents/strategyinsights/TPSI_009_Perfect...

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:51 | 5159448 jbvtme
jbvtme's picture

here are some options: sailing, swimming, hiking, gardening, hunting, fishing, biking, horseback riding, fucking (a member of he opposite sex)...or watching golf or football on tv.  actually, the hero worship of the sports world is a mixed blessing. it keeps the goats out of the woods and off the river but it nourishes a nation of drooling idiots.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:50 | 5159730 Dick Buttkiss
Dick Buttkiss's picture

The NFL is likely doomed for another reason, as is football itself:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2014/08/07/why-you-should-stop-watch...

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:58 | 5160004 jbvtme
jbvtme's picture

so mom and the football players are getting their brains fried by professional sports and professional medicine. and her son puts his foot down. how's his mother doing on her medications?

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 18:03 | 5160453 TruthHunter
TruthHunter's picture

The bodies have gotten bigger and stronger but the brains are still oatmeal.

If they take 15 seconds off the game clock, the players will begin

to look more like soccer players. Collisions will not be as damaging.

 

In the same vein, young boys and girls shouldn't use their heads on

regulation soccer balls. Damage occurs.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:05 | 5159191 Dr Strangemember
Dr Strangemember's picture

Mmmmmm, Hebrew... a very tasty Hefeweizen indeed!

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:20 | 5159276 Dr Strangemember
Dr Strangemember's picture

BTW, Airlines are getting DoNkEy PuNcHeD today as we suspected.  Can you say Ebolacano?????????

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:39 | 5159005 Christophe2
Christophe2's picture

"Simple solution to this problem. Stop paying athletes millions of dollars to play a children's game. This also goes for coaches and everyone else in the food chain."

I think you misunderstand the true purpose of pro sports, from TPTB's perspective: social control.

TPTB *need* mega-riches for the sellout athletes, since otherwise the propagandized youth might strive for something better than a 'career' in sellout sports.  TPTB also *need* to pay the athletes and coaches insane amounts because that way it is much easier to control them and to make sure they NEVER say anything 'the Man' doesn't want to hear.

Anyhow, as far as this article's premise (pro sports going broke), it's a joke: there is NO WAY that TPTB will let their games go broke.  The companies that TPTB own will continue to 'advertise' and fund the distraction, even though honest accounting ALREADY REVEALS that this 'investment' is not worth the return in most cases...

Their real problem might be all the people waking up (thanks to the internet) and moving away from distractions to focus on solving their problems.  That and the entire Western system going broke (and not being able to pay for glitzy games).

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:39 | 5159369 hidingfromhelis
hidingfromhelis's picture

Say it isn't so!  It boggles my mind just how successful the concept is.  When fans of one team passionately hate and are willing to assault and injure someone simply for wearing the jersey of another competing team, it reminds me of something.  It's gang mentality being encouraged at a national level.  Us vs. them.  Our turf.

Several years back, there was a push to replace the Kingdome in Seattle with a new baseball stadium.  The voters didn't approve the initiative to publicly fund part of the construction.  Afterwards, the legislature went ahead with public funding anyway.  

Elections matter...not.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 16:20 | 5160105 saltedGold
saltedGold's picture

 A great example of many things.

1. Your vote doesn't count, even locally
2. Those tiny, fractional tax increases start to add up fast!  What's sales tax in King County?  10% and rising!
3. The profits of those 2 stadiums are privatized while their costs are socalized. 
4. Debt sucks!  Aren't they still making payments on the Kingdome?

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:40 | 5159396 swmnguy
swmnguy's picture

The "Rollerball" thesis.  Sound, I think.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 18:09 | 5160481 TruthHunter
TruthHunter's picture

"Simple solution to this problem"

Actually, if you stopped selling beer

at stadiums and outlawed beer advertising

on tv, most of the excess money problem would

go away. Sober people don't waste as much

resources on a child's game.

If they depended on people like me, pro athletes

would all be part timers.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 20:18 | 5160912 Wait What
Wait What's picture

sober people don't 'waste as much resources' at bars either. you wonder why the avg joe sixpack is bombarded with ads for alcohol for 6-8 minutes out of every hour he watches pop media? (i've actually tracked this during my jaunts out to bars & house parties).

frivolous spending is what this whole economy is founded on, and anything or anyone who deems otherwise is an enemy of the state/economy.

realistically, since even the largest stadiums only hold 100k people or so, the populance to support the optics of "people going to sporting events" is small indeed. so long as a team can locate itself where it can find that many affluent members (and posers, obviously) of a community, it will continue to thrive. perfect example is the co-location of the new stadium here in california with the headquarters of Google, Apple, Facebook, Netflix, Tesla, not to mention the finance hubs of San Francisco & San Jose & indoctrination stations (i.e. universities) just a few dozen miles away.

as with all businesses worth their weight in salt, they go where the money is, and remain relevant as a result. an ugly truth, of course, but just cuz people can't afford it doesn't mean they can't 'participate,' which speaks to the rise of 'fantasy sports' and 24 hr. sports channels. like any industry that attaches itself to the lifeblood of a nation, sport will not let go until the host has been sapped of its life.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:39 | 5159011 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Until the American public in large numbers unplugs TV and Hollywood then you will always be serfs.  It is used to control but idiots will say crap like "I only watch Fox or the ball games."  Pull the plug or be a moron.

As far as pro and college sports?  It is for retards to watch.  The NFL, NBA, MBL going broke would be wonderful.  F them and the owners.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:02 | 5159181 constantine
constantine's picture

It's entertainment, man.  Not everything has to promote world peace and salvation.  Consider a world without entertainment; sometimes mindless in nature...  I would imagine that it would be far less productive.

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 20:23 | 5160931 Wait What
Wait What's picture

"far less productive"

if by far less productive you mean "complete and absolute chaos, as everyone woke up to the misery being imposed upon them by their overlords" then you'd be right.

entertainment is always mindless in nature, they are all children's games being played by grown ups for show.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:29 | 5159900 mc225
mc225's picture

it could be that entertainments in general -- movies, music, sports -- are just a money-laundering scheme; and that filling theatres, concert halls, and stadiums has little to do with 'success'.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:36 | 5159928 goneYonder
goneYonder's picture

Fantastic! I'll write my congressman. While I'm at it, are there any more people whose salaries we should mandate? Power to the people! / sarc

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 16:29 | 5160134 Matt
Matt's picture

"simple solution to this problem. Stop paying athletes millions of dollars to play a children's game. "

What is a whole lifetime's income worth? How many years does a football player get, and what likelihood do they have of suffering brain damage or being disabled afterwards?

I suspect wages and profits will fall and stadiums may get less fantastic, but pro sports will continue on as long as there are people.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 21:52 | 5160734 dizzyfingers
dizzyfingers's picture

"I suspect wages and profits will fall and stadiums may get less fantastic, but pro sports will continue on as long as there are people."

I would go to games in my county and welcome fair-ground surroundings with no "sports stars" -- wish it would happen, and then I could stop paying for new stadiums every time owners and PTB want handouts.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 16:35 | 5160158 JuliaS
JuliaS's picture

My personal position is that I have no interest in watching a sport, unless I'm participating in it. It would be like trying to loose weight by watching someone else exercise (with a bag of chips and a bottle of beer in hand).

At the same time, I have nothing against other people going to games and wasting money. That's the part of personal freedom that should be protected, not criticised. It's money for entertainment which is worth no more, no less, but as much as an individual is willing to spend.

Reminds me of an interview with Fraser's star Kelsey Grammer where he was criticized for charting $1 mil salary per episode. He replied that if he charged less, the show would cost exactly the same amount of money to produce, but they money would go instead to someone else in the production department.

So, I have no beef with the price of ticket, or sportsman salaries. If athletes charged half of what they do, managers would make more, or stadiums would collect bigger rent etc. The price of the ticket would not go down.

The only thing that would drive ticket prices down would be the actual demand for entertainment provided - people attending the games less.

Supply and demand. If pointless excitement is where people want to waste their dough - fine by me. What else would they do with the money otherwise?

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 17:46 | 5160397 Miffed Microbio...
Miffed Microbiologist's picture

Unfortunately Julia, those who can't do, must watch. Funny how this appears to be true in all things.

In many times in my life I have found myself a watcher instead of a doer. Most of the time I discovered it was something in me that prevented me from participating. Primarily self doubt and lack of confidence. Recently I have been exploring my stance on yoga inversions. I absolutely hate them and am content to watch others do handstands, side crow, hurdler etc. I was the yogi who didn't do inversions. Finally I asked myself why.

Because I will fall and hurt myself.

So? You drive to work everyday and may be killed, does that mean you quit your job?

Shut up brain, I won't listen.

What is the real reason?

I don't know.

Oh please, don't cop out, that is pathetic.

Ok do you really want to know? I'm fucking scared. I'm so fucking scared I'm going to fall and make a fucking ass out of myself! I don't want to. Now please shut up and go away.

Okay now we are getting somewhere. You admit fear. This is the truth. How do you deal with fear?

I run away.

Does the fear go away when you run from it?
No.

Then why are you running and don't say you don't know or I will give you the hose.

Fuck you to hell.

You can swear all you want. I don't give a damn. Answer the question.

Ok I run because I feel in control over the fear, at least temporarily.

So you choose a patch over a real fix. You know the real answer to your problem don't you?

Yes. I need to quit running away, turn and move toward the issue. I need to stop watching, start doing and fall on my ass.

Brilliant, I knew I could pull that out of you.

Oh just fuck off, I'm going to have a drink now.

No problem, but you know I'll be back someday.

Really, you wouldn't consider infecting someone else?

Hell no, you're too much fun.

Miffed;-)

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 19:19 | 5160720 dizzyfingers
dizzyfingers's picture

Miffed: Have you done it yet? Weird this should come up just now; the past few nights I've been using a yoga move that coincidentally and surprisingly stopped the bursitis pain in my hips.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 20:27 | 5160951 the0ther
the0ther's picture

Kelsey spent half of that money on blow and hos.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 21:19 | 5161131 JuliaS
JuliaS's picture

He did suffer a heart attack shortly after the show wrapped. If he didn't make it, who's to say hookers and blow weren't worth it.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:29 | 5158957 markpower49
markpower49's picture

Only imbeciles follow pro sports. I believe most white NBA and NFL fans are race cuckolds, who want their wife to be taken by a mandingo.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:41 | 5159015 Renewable Life
Renewable Life's picture

Congrats, that was maybe the most insulting and generalizingly inflammatory statements i've read in under 30 words in quite some time!

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:16 | 5159248 explosivo
explosivo's picture

He made me laugh.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:41 | 5159017 Government need...
Government needs you to pay taxes's picture

This X1000.  Get that criminal caulk out of your mouth and stop spending money on pro sports.   

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:18 | 5159267 Iriestx
Iriestx's picture

I thought you were a fucking idiot until you started in with the mandingo stuff.  That won a +1 from me.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:31 | 5158976 forensicator
forensicator's picture

In time all teams will be nationalized for the greater good. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:05 | 5158816 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

The worship of idoltry. Nothing more.Nothing less

FTFY.

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:13 | 5159222 Renewable Life
Renewable Life's picture

I guess Ill be in the minority on ZH with this one, but although i dont disagree with "what" pro sports has become in our current society of decay, fraud, and corruption, I grew up liking pro sports and all sports as a rural small town midwestern kid, that played sports from 5 years old on and still enjoy playing them casually with family and friends!  

I still like to watch a game, root for my teams, and even god forbid play alittle FF!

I don't think it has stopped me from preparing myself for the worst to come, enlightening the people around me to get prepared, and transforming my general financial world away from debt and fiat to solid wealth principles!

Pro Sports or any sports today in and of itself isn't evil, its just out of balance like everything else in our society and a pure reflection of how insane we have become socially! 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:47 | 5159432 NickVegas
NickVegas's picture

It's the genetic lottery idiots. I'm not going to cheer for some nerd, I'm going to cheer for the Uberman. Prices, pay, all determined by the market. Where else can a street kid get rich quick? One more thing, no one complains the owners are overpaid in any facet of American life, so think on that one before you start casting stones.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:31 | 5159909 mc225
mc225's picture

sports really isn't any 'cornier' or 'dumber' than anything else. in life we pick our poisons. sports can actually be edifying. and the science of large crowds is an interesting topic.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:07 | 5158832 Dr Strangemember
Dr Strangemember's picture

Funny thing is these pro clowns could get paid 1/3rd their salary/contract and still be making millions per year while allowing ticket prices to closer match the economy's reality.  I have no reason to support such ridiculous salaries anymore.  "Hell no, I won't go!"

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:13 | 5158863 Grande Tetons
Grande Tetons's picture

I went to graduate school in Montreal, Canada in the early 90s. I had the honor of meeting a local sports legend, Maurice Richard. After this guy retired he sold fishing tackle for a living in the 60s. 

Really warm and humble man. 

How things have changed. 

 

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:36 | 5158999 maskone909
maskone909's picture

i met andre reed, hall of fame receiver from the 90's buffalo bills squad.  he sells BBQ sauce at tailgate events and uses his mom as a spokesperson.  oh yeah and he is a dick.  kind of an eye opener for me as an athlete and sports fan in my teens.

 

Sonny: Mickey Mantle? Is that what you're upset about? Mickey Mantle makes $100,000 a year. How much does your father make? You don't know? Well, see if your father can't pay the rent go ask Mickey Mantle and see what he tells you. Mickey Mantle don't care about you, so why should you care about him? Nobody cares.

bronx tale

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:06 | 5159201 constantine
constantine's picture

You're still paying them everytime you send in your cable-tv bill.  That's why their salaries have risen so exponentially.  Babe Ruth could only be followed by a some people at a stadium and a few others within reach of the radio signal.  Now, anybody can watch any game they want all over the planet assuming they're willing to pay for some cable package.  Pro athletes have probably been the largest beneficiary of the global technology and media explosion.

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:38 | 5158987 DetectiveStern
DetectiveStern's picture

You think the NFL is bad. The English Premiership puts it to shame. We at United have Wayne "shags old prostitues" Rooney on nearly $500,000 a week basic excluding any performance related bonuses. The whole team combined has cost around $663,000,000.

 

The cheapest seat in the Gods is $50ish and the game last a lot less time than a Gridiron game.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:44 | 5159041 Renewable Life
Renewable Life's picture

That is unreal and considering the perfromance the English National team put on in Brazil this summer, Rooney should have to be paying the fans to play in the PL this season!

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:03 | 5159111 Freddie
Freddie's picture

The Man U fans are heavily brainwashed as is Liverpool and the Gooners.  A bit like Pittsburgh Steelers fans.

Rooney getting paid that is a joke.  Compare him to Andrea Pirlo at Juventus being paid 3.5 million euros.  I do not really watch American or European football.  If Pirlo is playing then it is different.  He is an artist plus he is humble and intelligent. Rooney is a little lager lout.

I would love for the Glazers to go broke.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:50 | 5159741 DetectiveStern
DetectiveStern's picture

Tell me about it. It's hard not to support them when your from Manchester and raised with it but my god I want the money to fuck off out of football.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:51 | 5159089 Lugnut
Lugnut's picture

I like CHS, but he didnt do a fair job af analysing the finances of the NFL. Fans may go broke. The NFL will not go broke.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:00 | 5158787 stinkhammer
stinkhammer's picture

bread and circuses

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:11 | 5158848 Sam Clemons
Sam Clemons's picture

Pro sports are subsidized by our wonderful government through tax breaks for corporations.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:19 | 5158890 TBT or not TBT
TBT or not TBT's picture

Advertising is the reason network TV bids to win television rights to air games.   To sell us UAW vehicles and "beer" that's industrial piss water.   

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:30 | 5158966 markpower49
markpower49's picture

Wrong, silly. No corp should ever pay income taxes. Teams are subsidized with publically funded stadiums.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:50 | 5159085 BC6
Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:55 | 5159127 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Yes.  The stadiums are built with tax payer money to benefit billionaire owners.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:00 | 5158788 world_debt_slave
world_debt_slave's picture

bread and circuses

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:02 | 5158808 Dr Strangemember
Dr Strangemember's picture

I don't go to games anymore... Now I spend that ticket money on Wings, Beer and Hookers.  And not necessarily in that order.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:23 | 5158923 walküre
walküre's picture

you're going to Hooters?

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:01 | 5158793 stant
stant's picture

I noticed watching the brickyard 400 that the stands were not near as seated the years I used to go

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:10 | 5158845 Osmium
Osmium's picture

In the past we made the annual trip to the Indy 500.  After they had to raise the wall to run Nascar we said to hell with it.  We had seats 3/4 of the way down the front strait by the pole on the outside of the track.  Those seats are no longer usable. (Can't see over the wall).  

Even back then I had to save most of the year to afford the trip.  Out of the question now.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:02 | 5158795 Calmyourself
Calmyourself's picture

I refuse to attend any major sporting event as long as TSA normative groping is employed, they can stick their security theater right up their asses.  Airplanes are bad enough, I don't have to go to any game I already bought the damned stadium now I have to go get felt up? I will not give them my fiat anymore..

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:08 | 5158822 FrankieGoesToHo...
FrankieGoesToHollywood's picture

I refuse to attend any major sporting event since they charge $10 to park a half mile away, charge $35/ticket, and then $10 for a drink and $10 for a dog.  The beer spilled on me from the guys behind are still free though.

 

EDIT:  BTW, those TSA agents at the stadium gate are there to create  the illusion the football game is more important than it really is.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:10 | 5158850 European American
European American's picture

Only $35 a ticket? Your wife's "clean up fee" for allowing you to sit on the couch?

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:12 | 5158860 FrankieGoesToHo...
FrankieGoesToHollywood's picture

Those are Soccer prices.  I wont go to the big three.  I cant even speculate how much those cost.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:07 | 5159206 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

I marked the beginning of the apocalypse when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl.

It's my personal 'apocalypse indicator'.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:37 | 5159684 European American
European American's picture

I marked the beginning of the apocalypse when a certain ethnic group started performing gyrations, with their steroid filled bodies, when they sacked the opposing teams quarterback in the backfield, even though the gyrating players team was behind by 4 touchdowns in the 4th quarter. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:28 | 5159242 KickIce
KickIce's picture

Yeah, I got interested in hockey when my kid started playing and fell in love with the sport.  It's fast paced, requires exceptional hand-eye coordination, lots of contact... just a fun game to watch but I won't pay to go to a game.

Then again I played rugby in college so there might be some brain damage.  Just sayin'.

 

Then again, our overall involvement in sports (as a nation) just shows how out of whack our priorities are, I remember the outrage of the NFL replacement refs vs the apathy of the signing of the NDAA.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:42 | 5159699 SmackDaddy
SmackDaddy's picture

same here.  Started playing at age 32.  It's difficult and expensive, but completely worth it.  I could only lift the same weight some many times before getting bored.... And now that i understand the game, watching it is much more  enjoyable.  Gave up on football years ago (despite playing in HS) b/c of the retarded fan culture.  And baseball just seems too boring now after hockey.  

The Blue Jackets want $90 a ticket to sit in the lower bowl.  They get it from companies who buy season tickets.  The early season games will have rows and rows of empty seats, but they'd rather leave them unsold than drop the prices and risk pissing off the season ticket holders... 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:23 | 5158910 TBT or not TBT
TBT or not TBT's picture

Hey man, it really does matter, a lot, what the outcome of these games is, and beyond that, all the detailed sports stats matter too.  It all hangs in the balance.   Seriously.  

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:43 | 5159949 mc225
mc225's picture

in seattle, ticket costs are a lot more than $35. cheapest husky ticket is something like $60 way up in the 'oxygen mask' seats.  american football is best as a television sport. ymmv

(packers at seahawks: over $200 per seat in the nosebleed sections. lol)

what they really need is a 'cheerleader' simulcast for these football games; a 'broadcast' dedicated to cheerleaders as the game goes on in the background.

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:01 | 5158799 esum
esum's picture

FOOTBALL  =  background noise for DRINKING BEER AND EATING WINGS

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:04 | 5158814 Dr Strangemember
Dr Strangemember's picture

...don't forget the boobs!!!!   

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:01 | 5158800 TabakLover
TabakLover's picture

NFL broke?  All I know is Roger Goodell is a pimp for the ever greedy .01%er team owners.  "Commissoner" - my ass.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:03 | 5158810 stinkhammer
stinkhammer's picture

fuck roger goodell, that guy is a douche bag extraordinaire

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:03 | 5158805 marathonman
marathonman's picture

With big screen TV's and DVR's the best seat in the house is at home. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:09 | 5158836 Winston of Oceania
Winston of Oceania's picture

If you insist on the stadium effect then just invite some obnoxious people over and water down your own beer...

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:49 | 5159080 ParkAveFlasher
ParkAveFlasher's picture

Then piss behind some car parked in the street!

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:19 | 5158894 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

I got rid of paid TV, so sports pretty much just cease to exist.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:23 | 5158916 cbxer55
cbxer55's picture

Yup, me as well. Have a idiot box, but only use rabbit ears for reception. And a DVD player to watch movies. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:45 | 5159958 mc225
mc225's picture

some college football on a saturday over the internet streams can be fun. pac-10 conference games are my fav.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:02 | 5158807 j0nx
j0nx's picture

Screw the NFL. As long as they continue to actively recruit and support assholes like Michael Vick and Aaron Hernandez and others like them too numerous to list then they can kiss my ass. I won't give them a dime of my money and my family knows full well there will be no NFL on the TV in our house.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:09 | 5158835 LasVegasDave
LasVegasDave's picture

+1

The ghettofication of sports ruined it.

Million dollar niggers, money grubbing jews - Marge Schott

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:11 | 5158851 Kaiser Sousa
Kaiser Sousa's picture

spoken like a true peckawood...
perhaps u might concern yourself with issues that really matter...

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:19 | 5158893 LFMayor
LFMayor's picture

like politics and Voting?  Make a difference, let your Voice be heard!

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:20 | 5158896 Peak Finance
Peak Finance's picture

Like letting VERY public figures get away with terrible crimes becuase they can catch a football dosen't matter?

Suspending rule of law cause some guy can throw a ball dosent matter? 

Look up "moral hazzard" all of this contributes to the destruction of our society

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:26 | 5158936 Kaiser Sousa
Kaiser Sousa's picture

yes u r so correct...these crimes and actions are much more abhorrent than the acts being perpetuated by the MoneyChangers and your government they control....
yes - the horror of pro sports and its athletes...

by the way - "look over there...!"

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:41 | 5158963 Peak Finance
Peak Finance's picture

Nice fail argument jackass. 

 

Wrong is wrong, it's not "MORE WRONG" or "LESS WRONG" becuase some other guys is doing it too, or because some other guy is doing some other crime.

 

An example for your simple mind:

Just cause some banker robbed someone of 1,000,000 does not make it "LESS WRONG" for Mike Vick to torture a fucking dog to death. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:48 | 5159339 vulcanraven
vulcanraven's picture

You can look at it this way....

Children do not usually look up to politicians as role models... maybe the President, but Congress? the Senate? However, pro athletes are constantly pushed in their faces as inspiration. Whenever one of these shining examples of hard work and dedication commits adultery/rape/has multiple baby mommas, abuses performance enhancing drugs, slangs crack/coke/weed, or abuses animals for entertainment and profit, what are children supposed to think about THAT brand of human behaviour?

THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

No seriously

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:54 | 5160011 mc225
mc225's picture

indeed, let's make our role models athletes, movie stars, and singers. chortle guffaw. 'role model'... wtf is that anyway? sounds retarded.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 20:02 | 5160850 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

During the Industrial Revolution, and later in Victorian times, the "Role Models" were the likes of Trevethick, Stephenson, Brunel, Faraday, and the like.

Today's "Role Models" include Miley Cyrus, Jay Zee, and "Professional Sportsmen / Women".

Care to compare the rate (and quality / utility) of innovation between that era, and today . . . . . . .

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:52 | 5159464 Kaiser Sousa
Kaiser Sousa's picture

priorities jackass...
priorities...
but knock urself out worrying about athletes and professional bullshit sports...
meanwhile - continue to pay ur taxes to ur government thats fucking up the entire globe...boy, am i simple...
have a great weekend watching ur sports...
cya.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:27 | 5158942 TBT or not TBT
TBT or not TBT's picture

Because culture precedes politics, and the culture now glorifies sociopaths.  That's not a healthy terrain for constitutional, rule of law, limited republic, what-government-cant-do-to-you lists of inalienable rights. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:07 | 5158809 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

Gladiatorial spectacle.

Unaffordable and boring.

Give them swords and shields and let's see some blood; it would be more honest.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:04 | 5158811 NDXTrader
NDXTrader's picture

Attendance, ratings, TV deals have never been higher. Hell, even baseball is going to set an attendence record this year and get back above where it was before the '94 strike. Soccer of all things just signed a recordbreaking TV deal. With the daily misery in most people's lives sports as escapism will only grow

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:07 | 5158824 john39
john39's picture

corporate money buys a lot of the seats in my town...  not average people.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:20 | 5158900 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Tax write-offs for luxury boxes paid for by tax payers.

A good deal, if ya can get it.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:07 | 5158826 Consuelo
Consuelo's picture

Well I think you just nailed the 'subcontext' of the whole thing in your last sentence NDX.   'Escapism' - in whatever form it may take, will be priority #1 in any sort of Real economic unwind.   The only ones not partaking of this 'sport', will be those steely enough (and prepared enough) to endure.   And they will be in the minority, X10.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:09 | 5158839 rum_runner
rum_runner's picture

Same for movie tickets.  Hardly a drop at all during 2009.

http://www.the-numbers.com/market/

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:28 | 5158954 TBT or not TBT
TBT or not TBT's picture

Funemployment, in one of its many guises.   They don't call it a pass time for nothing.  

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:07 | 5158831 European American
European American's picture

With the easily malleable minds of the American masses transfixed in the "program"; performed on a couch, while inhaling mind and body altering substances, a very popular Distraction from Reality.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:08 | 5158833 toady
toady's picture

"If" it's become unaffordable?

Most families live from paycheck to paycheck.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:09 | 5158840 pragmatic hobo
pragmatic hobo's picture

fuck professional sports.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:09 | 5158844 MrPoopypants
MrPoopypants's picture

If attendance drops off, they can lower ticket prices.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:22 | 5158903 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

LOL, that's funny.

Blackouts, bitchez!

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:11 | 5158853 p00k1e
p00k1e's picture

Free land and stadiums isn’t enough.

Bail them out.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:11 | 5158854 william114085
william114085's picture

"I'm not suggesting professional sports isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread"

 

unless I have a bet on it, I say "who gives a fuck"......no respect for chucky smith

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:44 | 5158855 JRobby
JRobby's picture

Same old bankster mentality at work.

The NFL, MLB etc. are exempt from anti-trust action like the banks and insurers (health insurers really are!)

And Anti-Trust laws are just so last century.

So costs will spiral upward at a pace that greatly out paces inflation.

Of course labor is controlled by salary cap rules to create a "competetive environment"

 

So the poster above bitching about the player salaries should really look at where the real $$$$ goes.

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:58 | 5160030 mc225
mc225's picture

ok, here's the bottom line: if a guy can win decent money playing fantasy football, more power to him. if someone can win in vegas betting on ncaa/nfl, hats off to them. turning spectator sports into a personal cash cow is where it's at. fan loyalty to team and player is a distant 2nd. it's all theatre; no need to get overly attached to it, or overly sentimental.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:11 | 5158859 auntiesocial
auntiesocial's picture

why did he have to catch that fn ball?!?!?

but I digress- You buy your fan gear, food, tickets, parking, souvenirs, alkyhaul, strippers and blow after the game (win or lose)- I mean, you are talking a 1500.00 USD motherfucking day. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:25 | 5158869 JRobby
JRobby's picture

Isn't the addiction lifestyle a fucking ball!

 

Drunk/High......................Broke...........................Incarcerated.

 

All over a children's game

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:22 | 5158872 Peak Finance
Peak Finance's picture

He forgot to mention another thing.

A lot of time was spent last year pushing an "Agenda" onto the football fans. Something with fucking pink ribbons for some cause or other and I remember something yague about anti-gun statements made by stupid NFL commentors. The fans grundging acdepted this and continued to watch.

I think this year, the new thing in NFL is the gay agenda. Pushing the "Gay" agenda through the NFL is going to be an epic fail, and they will in fact lose a lot of audience.  There is only so far you can push this politically correct bullshit before people change the channel. IF everytime the quarterback puts his hands on the center's ass and the fans start to wonder if he likes it, or the smartasses in the bar start cracking gay jokes every snap, NFL is dead.

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:25 | 5158935 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Agendas. Yet another thing to hate about sports. Why don't they sing God Bless America between every  inning while choking on Asshole/Titty cancer gear in a salute to "our armed forces protecting freedom?"

I always use such events to point out their brain-washing effect.

*fighter jets flyover in missing man formation*

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 16:01 | 5160038 mc225
mc225's picture

that was another thing; after 9/11, all uniforms had flags, and the military displays became more in-your-face. strange world, managing the farm animals.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:29 | 5158962 crazybob369
crazybob369's picture

And of course let us not forget the all important political correct bullshit Agenda of changing the name of the Washington Redskins. Really? After some 60+ years this is all of a sudden a world changing problem?

Cleveland Indians; sorry not allowed. Atlanta Braves; don't think so. Florida Seminoles; no, might offend the other tribes.

Just another sign of how trully fucked up our society is.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:55 | 5159123 Dull Care
Dull Care's picture

This is where the NFL is starting to lose me big time. I don't want to see the football players wearing pink. I don't want to see Michael Sam glorified for his deviance.

 

The game itself is becoming more sanitary. You can't hit anybody or play defense which ultimately ruins the product. If the NFL continues down its current path then it very well could descend in a spectacular fashion.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:58 | 5159147 Stumpy4516
Stumpy4516's picture

Agree, the agendas have become obvious.  Combine the big production of wearing pink, promoting gay rights, anti gun speaches, attacking the Redskins etc. there is a group of fans getting a little turned off.  Taking monday night football off free tv was the first mistake as some of us started reevaluating time spent watching the nfl.

When the colleges took the bowl games off free tv I said to hell with it and did not keep current or find a place to watch the bowl games.

If the right player points out that it has become the jewish NFL, jewish NBA etc. it will be noticed by the blue collar and rural fans.  I did not check the info but I have read the commissioners of the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL are all jewish.  They also included info on how many teams are owned by jewish families.  Jerry Jones has been an admired figure to some, he should mind his actions better as that group would like to take him down a few notches.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:11 | 5159226 Dull Care
Dull Care's picture

I forgot about the Redskins flap and the anti-2nd amendment agenda on NBC's coverage. I work on an Indian reservation and I see Redskins and Cleveland Indians gear every day and I'm in Arizona. Nothing quite like a bunch of guilty white liberals who have never been west of the Potomac or the Hudson(excluding that trip to California, Hawaii or Aspen) telling native people they should be offended.

The Bob Costas gun stuff was equally disgraceful.

 

It's clear the NFL is in on the political correctness and feminization of men and culture. Fuck them. I'll watch the games because I like to gamble but I'll never buy another ticket or merchandise until this changes.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 16:03 | 5160044 mc225
mc225's picture

that was another fuck-off; when they took all of the new years' day games and spread them out over a week. pure bs there. it used to be so great, prett much having 3 or more simultaneous games to choose from, all day long. spreading it out over a week was weak sauce. money grubbers...

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 16:00 | 5160033 mc225
mc225's picture

yeah, the 'breast cancer awareness month in the nfl' has to be one of the more in-your-face mindfucks out there.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:20 | 5158887 cbxer55
cbxer55's picture

"I confess I'm jaded. I don't have the time or emotional surplus to invest in following sports, and I tend to see the sports industry as just another bloated cartel that rips off its customers because it can, enriching a handful of super-wealthy owners who bask in the reflected glory of a secular religion."

 

TOUCHE!!!! 

Never been to a sporting event, never will. Also do not watch sports on the BOOB TUBE, and never will. So I see or hear none of the ads ever. 

 

BTW, I like beer. Just not the typical American colored water variety. I prefer the stronger darker imported beers, Acquired taste I suppose. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:31 | 5158946 JRobby
JRobby's picture

'Never been to a sporting event, never will. Also do not watch sports on the BOOB TUBE, and never will. So I see or hear none of the ads ever."

"BTW, I like beer. Just not the typical American colored water variety. I prefer the stronger darker imported beers, Acquired taste I suppose."

 

I'm a snot basically

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:42 | 5159027 One of We
One of We's picture

Nothing wrong with an ice cold Rainier on the deck during a hot August afternoon (or morning) trolling for coho's.......

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:23 | 5158915 Peter K
Peter K's picture
Can A Super-National Quasi-Religion (Socialism) Go Broke?

Why yes. It's been going broke for the better part of the last 150 years now.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:25 | 5158932 blu
blu's picture

I need to watch over-paid roid thugs toss a ball to each other. Not.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:26 | 5158937 toady
toady's picture

"In short, the mobile ad revolution has barely begun, and while broadcast ads on TV, radio and the Internet will all still attract advert money, it seems highly likely we've reached Peak Broadcast TV Advertising income."

It's getting close, almost time for me to drop out completely. I worked in IT for decades and i've learned to hate computers. The cellphone is just as bad, but the wife loves her electronic leash. The day I get a text advertising beer when I walk into the supermarket will probably be the day.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:45 | 5159051 JRobby
JRobby's picture

Bingo!!!!! Pay for net / content control soon to be made law.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:28 | 5158945 Market Rage
Market Rage's picture

I've been a Bills fan my whole life, but I swear to God that I'd rather take my kids to see high school football games.  You can bring your whole family, eat, and drink for what you pay to park at Ralph Wilson Stadium.  I take pleasure knowing that whoever pays a billion dollars for that team is going to be the biggest bagholder in the history of pro sports.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:34 | 5158990 crazybob369
crazybob369's picture

I agree. Find myself watching more high school football on TV than NFL. Fun to watch kids play for the simple joy of the game. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:49 | 5159072 Tanz der Lemminge
Tanz der Lemminge's picture

Same here - the NFL sucks.

College football is a much better product.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 16:06 | 5160055 mc225
mc225's picture

yep, saturday ncaa streaming; multiple games to pick from, players are more vested (emotional), play-calling more varied; just a better 'product' all around.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:29 | 5158950 Duffy
Duffy's picture

Just some trivia - the 5 major professional sports in the US are football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer.

All 5 professional sports have a commissioner/chief.

4 of 5 of those are Jews, who at 2.5% of the population, are massively under-represented as players in each sport, but massively over-represented as owners, especially in the NBA and NFL, where Jewish ownership is over 40% of teams.

I know, I know - it's okay to talk about "white privilege" in your thesis at Brown, but not about "Jewish privilege" at Brown...

cute.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:53 | 5159114 Canucklehead
Canucklehead's picture

Muslims don't play sports.  Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences states that the first intellingence to be affected by too much inbreeding is the visual-spatial intelligence.  The end result is if Muslims were to try to play basketball, they would hit each other by accident and a war would break out.  One team would try to behead the other team.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:55 | 5159124 Renewable Life
Renewable Life's picture

I think we all know why that is....right?

Could it have something to do with who "owns" most MSM outlets including even this website were blathering about on!

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:57 | 5159500 Duffy
Duffy's picture

I don't especially care about the disproportionate ownership...as such - doesn't affect my life.

I care about not being able to freely discuss that disproportionate ownership - and the obdurate, brainwashed stupidity of those who can decry the power of "white males" but for whom discussion of Jewish power and privilege, per se, is "hate".

Freedom of speech, thought and being merciless against that kind of hypocritical stupidity and/or deceptive rhetorical practice...

yadda yadda...

Why doesn't "affirmative action" and "diversity" apply to situations like Hollywood, or colleges where a minority that's 2.5% of the population is 25% of the student body - all while letting in more latinos and blacks than would get in by the merits...

the end result is manifestly to screw Asians and non-Jewish whites. Period.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:34 | 5159918 KidHorn
KidHorn's picture

Almost all major proessional sports teams were purchased by wealthy successful businessmen. Few were acquired through inheritance. Maybe the reason so many jews own sports teams in because there are a lot of wealthy successful jews. Seems like the simplist explanation.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:32 | 5158973 vulcanraven
vulcanraven's picture

I was a lifelong Lakers fan up until about 4 years ago when I finally cancelled my cable for good. My final disconnect from pro sports came when the NBA players went on strike a few years ago, asking for even MORE money. This strike resulted in a shortened basketball season and the first thing that came to mind was the effect that their selfishness would have on local economies. The low wage workers in and around the arena were now unemployed,  the mom and pop restaurants around the arenas lost business, so on and so forth.

Walking away from pro sports was one of the first steps I took in leaving the Matrix.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:32 | 5158978 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

I gave up sports several decades ago. My sport is geopolitics and Wall Street. 

Take your faggot politically correct sport and shove it up your ass. Before cable, we watched TV on limited channels. My mom was a huge football fan. In 1977, Brian Sipe was QB of the Cleveland Browns. After the franchise broke up I said, fuck these morons. The entire sports industry has turned into overpaid pansies. Regulate yourself out of business. 

Talking to you ESPN. Can't wait for you to drop off my cable listing. Never watch, never will. Go gather in the ESPN Shower and play with one another. The first to swallow the other anchorman's jism gets a 30 second extention to speak on TV. 

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:33 | 5158979 TrumpXVI
TrumpXVI's picture

I wouldn’t be too sure that we’re real close to peak on this.

Here’s an anecdote from where I live.  After WalMart gutted my town’s Main Street, my little town reinvented itself remarkably successfully by turning every other store front into a restaurant or a coffee shop.  I know, this makes absolutely NO sense!  How can a non-resort, no-nonsense town become a “dining out mecca”?  I don’t know for sure, but I think at least part of the answer may be this:

The surrounding suburbs are wealthy.  And the usual lifestyle for these folks used to be a $20K vacation for the fam (plus a couple of cousins) in say, Spain.  So, these people are no longer doing this because they can no longer afford it.  Instead, they’re going out to eat every week.  These people can take the fam out to eat every week and spend maybe $6.5K over the course of the year and still be saving $12.5K over what they USED to spend.

Sports is the same thing.  $80 may very well represent a significant SAVINGS over what people USED to spend.

 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:11 | 5159571 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Good post except the sports part.  Sports and TV are still for retards who want to be serfs and want to support the agenda.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:17 | 5159598 Farmer Joe in B...
Farmer Joe in Brooklyn's picture

If I quit sports and TV, I'd spend all my time on sites like ZH.  I'd have killed myself long ago from the stress of it.

Even the "enlightened" need a break. 

Relax, buddy.....

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:37 | 5158998 buzzsaw99
buzzsaw99's picture

On the rare occasion that I watch any game on television all I do is sit there and wonder how many people in the crowd can actually afford to waste money like that.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 13:22 | 5159285 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

I have two Oceanfront properties on Myrtle Beach. Dated story (somewhere on N.Ocean Blvd).

A football game was on the TV. I asked the guy next to me, why do you watch this shit, do you know what is happening around you? His wife starts barking at me too leave his husband alone, they're here on vacation.  

Looked at the husband, shook his hand and said Sorry. He pulls me forward and begins whispering into my ear..

I know things are Fucked up, this is my escape. I nodded, shook his hand again. 

That moment taught me understanding on why people watch sports. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:10 | 5159564 himaroid
himaroid's picture

If that works, I need to find something to watch. I'm depressed because my wife and her sister are paying some fucker too much rent for an oceanfront place at myrtle beach this weekend.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:24 | 5159875 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

Not bragging, renting and no mortgage payments are two different world's. 

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 15:43 | 5159954 himaroid
himaroid's picture

I can dig it.

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 12:41 | 5159009 earnulf
earnulf's picture

  First off, the author has no idea what he is babbling about.     I'm not sure where he got his "ticket prices" from, but it wasn't any reality that I'm familiar with.

  Take the KC Chiefs (my team, grew up there) who play Denver in late November.    Parking alone is $38 bucks and a nosebleed seat goes for $56 (cheapest).  You want to actuallyl be able to see the guys on the field and realize they aren't ants by sitting in the lower level, it will run you a cool thousand bucks PER SEAT.    Heaven only knows what the food and drink prices really are.

I can agree that "middle class" america can't afford to view in person and really, why would you want to be surrounded by drunk screaming fools you don't know, paying outrageous prices for a seat in which all you can see is tiny figures scurrying around far, far below, while chocking down food that cost more than a gourmet restaurant?     Heck for less than $50 bucks, I can surround myself with drunken fools I do know and like, in a comfortable, climate controlled seat with a bathroom less than 20 feet away and watch a 48" picture that shows me up close and personal to the action.    AND snarf pizza and breadsticks!

Let's see, two people for about $2200 bucks, freeze your you know what off and waste the four hour round trip or $50 bucks to have all my friends over and we eat like kings.     Any questions?

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