Is pro sports pushing us away?

[slanidrac16]

I mean WTF?

We have become numb to the numbers. Watson 250m. this guy 190m…that guy 60m signing bonus.

Think about those numbers. Is there any concern about the common fan? Are we soon all going to just be a streaming fan base?

How much will it take before Joe Fan can’t afford season tickets, parking and concessions. Or how about a partial season tickets or maybe even a single game for him and his family.

Do owners care? Do players care? Does a stadium have to be full when you have corporations paying millions for corporate suites?

It’s getting sickening to see players insisting on “ a little bit more” than the last guy to sign. When is enough enough? Is there REALLY a big difference between 80m and 75m?

Are we that far off from the first $1B player contract? And when it gets to that point will THAT be enough?

 

[Solar7]

I don't necessarily mean this one way or the other when it comes to like, politics, but that's the way the US is heading. Late-stage capitalism is running off the rails with a worsening gulf of the have and have-nots.

Like, it's funny to want to point at the players for getting this kind of money when you consider that the teams are rich enough to pay that. To multiple guys. Without blinking, really. The scale of wealth disparity in this country/world is just baffling.

I don't want to get banned for P&R stuff, so, uh, I hope the Cardinals don't raise the price of the Big AZ Red Dog this season.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I mean WTF?

We have become numb to the numbers. Watson 250m. this guy 190m…that guy 60m signing bonus.

Think about those numbers. Is there any concern about the common fan? Are we soon all going to just be a streaming fan base?

How much will it take before Joe Fan can’t afford season tickets, parking and concessions. Or how about a partial season tickets or maybe even a single game for him and his family.

Do owners care? Do players care? Does a stadium have to be full when you have corporations paying millions for corporate suites?

It’s getting sickening to see players insisting on “ a little bit more” than the last guy to sign. When is enough enough? Is there REALLY a big difference between 80m and 75m?

Are we that far off from the first $1B player contract? And when it gets to that point will THAT be enough?

I still roll my eyes when a professional athlete states they need all that money to take care of their family, because they are not talking about their immediate family but the intent of supplying for multiple generations which is frankly absurd that anyone is owed that. Now, I used to have that hard stance like you, but it no longer bothers me because I have moved past the purest concept of sports and see it for what it is now, entertainment. Actors, pop stars are bagging that kind of cash which seldom gets the same disgust from the public, because their field is not based in reality to begin with. Let them make their money, God bless, because it really is not part of my reality and also affords me solace when they lose because their lives are almost in another dimension which is not worth worrying about

 

[kerouac9]

I’d rather a player get it than the owner keep it.

This isn’t really about gate revenue; salaries are rising because of TV deals. Within the cap it’s taking from RBs and TEs to pay QBs and Safeties.

 

[akg102]

I'm guessing you're, likewise, paid for the number of people you entertain on a Sunday. 1 or 2?

 

[slanidrac16]

I'm guessing you're, likewise, paid for the number of people you entertain on a Sunday. 1 or 2?

Hmm. Funny, I do play in a band with 4 other guys. Money is not our driving force. We negotiate any cover charge a venue wants to charge and insist it is no higher than $5.

Why should we care? If then venue is paying us why do we care what they charge at the door?

Because we care about the fans snd friends that come out. Unthinkable huh?

I dont care if the players or owner make a gazillion dollars. I’m just wondering why nobody in these industries actually care or think about the fans.

It just leads to the question is pro sports ( and entertainment industries) making us a streaming fan base?

 

[cardsfanmd]

Personally, I don’t knock anyone in any industry for getting what they can, under the rules. That’s capitalism. Your labor rate is what what someone is willing to pay you for it. These players literally sacrifice their health and to play this game. No amount of money is worth to me what some of these players endure later on in life. The owners aren’t starving.

With the ways costs have risen in this country and with the way things are headed socially and economically, I rarely entertain the idea of going to games anymore. By the time you add in ticket prices with food and transportation costs, it costs me well over a grand to take my family to a local (Commanders/Ravens) game. That’s not counting the danger I put my wife and kids in by taking taking them to PG county (where Washington plays) or Baltimore so we can walk past gang members and dope fiends left and right. For all that, I’d rather sit in my basement, watch the game in

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Hmm. Funny, I do play in a band with 4 other guys. Money is not our driving force. We negotiate any cover charge a venue wants to charge and insist it is no higher than $5.

Why should we care? If then venue is paying us why do we care what they charge at the door?

Because we care about the fans snd friends that come out. Unthinkable huh?

I dont care if the players or owner make a gazillion dollars. I’m just wondering why nobody in these industries actually care or think about the fans.

It just leads to the question is pro sports ( and entertainment industries) making us a streaming fan base?

Is the band your primary source of income or just a high end hobby of your’s?

 

[BritCard]

This is why I lost interest in the EPL and Champions league.

No cap and transfer fees and wages for even average players are just crazy due to massive TV money.

The cap will always keep the NFL in check though. The main thing that attracted me to the NFL was that everyone is operating on a level playing field.

 

[Stout]

This is why I lost interest in the EPL and Champions league.

No cap and transfer fees and wages for even average players are just crazy due to massive TV money.

The cap will always keep the NFL in check though. The main thing that attracted me to the NFL was that everyone is operating on a level playing field.

It made for really depressing soccer for a long, long time, especially when coupled with a horrible owner (What is it with me and lousy owners? I'm a Pirates fan too!). Now Newcastle are on the other side of things, it'll probably make for a lot of really exciting soccer. I agree, the unfettered riches really hurt the game.

 

[TheCardFan]

OP meant from a cost standpoint - is it going to get to a point where the average fan can't go to a game. I think the answer it yes...its already happening.

I am not a political person, so none of these statements are coming from there I can assure you.

We live in a capitalistic society...we all know that. As I get older, I realize how much more we should be helping others. I don't mean handouts, I mean actual help. Does it make sense that entertainers should make 10, 20, up to 50m/year? Probably not but its not their fault either. We are all pumping money in to the system and should expect more out of it. I would love for things to return back to being able to take a family of four out to the ballgame without crushing their budget but those days are over.

Instead, why not use some of this wealth to make our society better? I won't get into all the ways this could happen but what about if each team had to donate a habitat for humanity house (to a veteran, single mom, needy family, etc) for every contract over a certain amount (5m?). Its a drop in the bucket for these teams and could even be made part of each players contract - publicity with each signing (would also tie the team/player closer to each community). The owners and the NFL should be held to a higher standard as well. There are many other ways to directly impact someone's life in a positive way.

 

[QuebecCard]

OP meant from a cost standpoint - is it going to get to a point where the average fan can't go to a game. I think the answer it yes...its already happening.

I am not a political person, so none of these statements are coming from there I can assure you.

We live in a capitalistic society...we all know that. As I get older, I realize how much more we should be helping others. I don't mean handouts, I mean actual help. Does it make sense that entertainers should make 10, 20, up to 50m/year? Probably not but its not their fault either. We are all pumping money in to the system and should expect more out of it. I would love for things to return back to being able to take a family of four out to the ballgame without crushing their budget but those days are over.

Instead, why not use some of this wealth to make our society better? I won't get into all the ways this could happen but what about if each team had to donate a habitat for humanity house (to a veteran, single mom, needy family, etc) for every contract over a certain amount (5m?). Its a drop in the bucket for these teams and could even be made part of each players contract - publicity with each signing (would also tie the team/player closer to each community). The owners and the NFL should be held to a higher standard as well. There are many other ways to directly impact someone's life in a positive way.

The answer is certainly not perpetuating charity as any type of serious response. Alms for the poor, so to speak.

If you want a more equitable system then support a progressive taxation regime, and stop voting for every "con' who promises to lower taxes.

America: Capitalism (Darwinian survival of the fittest) for the middle-class and poor.

Socialism (corporate tax breaks, bailouts) for the rich.

A plutocracy masquerading as a democracy!

 

[Crimson Warrior]

K9 is right to a certain degree. This is money going from the unimaginably wealthy (owners) to persons most of whom pump it right back into the economy. Plus a lot of these guys are sacrificing their bodies. How much is one's health worth?

@QuebecCard - progressive income tax rates are fine, but please trust me when I say that you want to keep them low enough to not de-incentivize a rational person. A back stop to keeping US wealth from becoming detrimental to our democracy and society is our Estate Tax, which in my opinion doesn't need to affect anyone with less than 50 million, but should also be strengthened a little to effect it's intended purpose.

 

[QuebecCard]

K9 is right to a certain degree. This is money going from the unimaginably wealthy (owners) to persons most of whom pump it right back into the economy. Plus a lot of these guys are sacrificing their bodies. How much is one's health worth?

@QuebecCard - progressive income tax rates are fine, but please trust me when I say that you want to keep them low enough to not de-incentivize a rational person. A back stop to keeping US wealth from becoming detrimental to our democracy and society is our Estate Tax, which in my opinion doesn't need to affect anyone with less than 50 million, but should also be strengthened a little to effect it's intended purpose.

Canada has a progressive Tax system, which certainly does not de-incentivize and has no Estate Tax. Trust me, when I say that as long as taxpayers believe that they, their families and communities are getting a good return in services that keep all safe, socially secure, well educated in an upwardly mobile economic system life is good.

Only in America are 'rags to riches' stories a staple myth, and it's simply because there are so many people in the 'rag' community.

 

[slanidrac16]

Is the band your primary source of income or just a high end hobby of your’s?

Hobby. I see where you’re going here but how many millions is enough? 0ne, ten, 100?
I’m not slamming the players. In fact if anybody is to blame it’s the owners. The billionaires ego force them to keep up with each other. There seems to be no regards to the individual fans, who BTW and as you know, helped build this and other sports way before gazillions dollar tv deals.

They’ll spew their words of there love for fans. I would love an opportunity to talk to an owner and ask them what are they doing to keep the game affordable for you and I.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Canada has a progressive Tax system, which certainly does not de-incentivize and has no Estate Tax. Trust me, when I say that as long as taxpayers believe that they, their families and communities are getting a good return in services that keep all safe, socially secure, well educated in an upwardly mobile economic system life is good.

Only in America are 'rags to riches' stories a staple myth, and it's simply because there are a lot of people in the 'rag' community.

Hmmm... Am I detecting a little bit of contempt for your noisy, obnoxious neighbors to the south? haha Let's remember that the US and Canada are the staunchest of allies sir. At least we both believe in democracy, and that the power to govern comes from the people.

 

[slanidrac16]

Canada has a progressive Tax system, which certainly does not de-incentivize and has no Estate Tax. Trust me, when I say that as long as taxpayers believe that they, their families and communities are getting a good return in services that keep all safe, socially secure, well educated in an upwardly mobile economic system life is good.

Only in America are 'rags to riches' stories a staple myth, and it's simply because there are a lot of people in the 'rag' community.

This is not about politics. These kind of responses will push this thread into P and R.
Simple question. Are owners and sports pushing us into a streaming fan base.
The more that I think about it they already have.

 

[QuebecCard]

Hmmm... Am I detecting a little bit of contempt for your noisy, obnoxious neighbors to the south? haha Let's remember that the US and Canada are the staunchest of allies sir. At least we both believe in democracy, and that the power to govern comes from the people.

Absolutely no contempt for the American people, which I never confuse with the deplorable state of governance.

P.S. Spent 5 of the best years of my life under scholarship at Cornell U.

 

[QuebecCard]

This is not about politics. These kind of responses will push this thread into P and R.
Simple question. Are owners and sports pushing us into a streaming fan base.
The more that I think about it they already have.

As soon as capitalism came up it became political.

And, yes, they are quite content with a streaming fan base with attendance at games for show and 'gravy'.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Hobby. I see where you’re going here but how many millions is enough? 0ne, ten, 100?
I’m not slamming the players. In fact if anybody is to blame it’s the owners. The billionaires ego force them to keep up with each other. There seems to be no regards to the individual fans, who BTW and as you know, helped build this and other sports way before gazillions dollar tv deals.

They’ll spew their words of there love for fans. I would love an opportunity to talk to an owner and ask them what are they doing to keep the game affordable for you and I.

I understand what you’re saying, but do you want someone to cap your earning power? We don’t do that to owners of industry, so why do that to players? Also, many of these guys come from lower class upbringing or poverty. Their careers are extremely short. They end up with monstrous medical hardships. While the numbers may seem insane, I don’t begrudge them a dollar.

Also I hear a lot of complaining about the general fan being priced out, but I don’t see empty stadiums. So people are paying. It may mean prioritizing entertainment dollars differently than decades ago, but it’s not like they are hurting at the gate.

 

[slanidrac16]

As soon as capitalism came up it became political.

And, yes, they are quite content with a streaming fan base with attendance at games for show and 'gravy'.

That’s what I’m thinking. The owners really don’t care. They’ll say they do , but they don’t.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Absolutely no contempt for the American people, which I never confuse with the deplorable state of governance.

P.S. Spent 5 of the best years of my life under scholarship at Cornell U.

The Ivy League. Very impressive, and congratulations. Even though I came from absolutely nothing, both of my children have an outside shot to make into one of those schools, which is one reason why I still believe so strongly in the idea of America, even with all its faults.

And of course I agree with you about "government". It's awful. My hope is that advancing technology will bring about greater transparency and accountability.

Stay safe my friend. Keep the faith in our Cardinals, and if our paths ever cross someday, I'll be happy to raise a toast to the Redbirds with you.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Hey, I got a great idea since I will go with the flow for these sports teams to make even more money... I think fans bases as the Packers and Cowboys should pay an exuberant tax to attend stadiums outside of their respective team's stadium, then I might not see so many damn fans of other teams at Cardinal games lol

 

[MadCardDisease]

I personally don't think it is worth it to go to live games anymore. I'd rather just sit at home and watch the game on my 4K TV in surround sound. No Traffic, No A-Holes, No Waiting in Line, No Parking, No $18 beers, No crappy overpriced stadium food, no security checks, etc...

I may go to a playoff game for the Atmosphere but no way I pay big bucks for season tickets or a regular season game anymore. It just isn't worth it to me and I would rather spend my hard earned money elsewhere where I can get better bang for the buck.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I personally don't think it is worth it to go to live games anymore. I'd rather just sit at home and watch the game on my 4K TV in surround sound. No Traffic, No A-Holes, No Waiting in Line, No Parking, No $18 beers, No crappy overpriced stadium food, no security checks, etc...

I may go to a playoff game for the Atmosphere but no way I pay big bucks for season tickets or a regular season game anymore. It just isn't worth it to me and I would rather spend my hard earned money elsewhere where I can get better bang for the buck.

This has become the biggest factor for me due to bringing my boys. I feel that representation has increased exponentially.