Bursting the Bubble: Why Sports Aren't Coming Back Soon

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So the NBA will be going from July 31st-October 12th.

It’s interesting, I’d like to hear what some of you think about what’s going on with baseball.

It sounds like this shifting of the NBA schedule could become a permanent thing. And with all the issues baseball has, I worry they are in significant danger here. Sure, there will always be plenty of people who love baseball, but my uncle was telling me about when baseball got cancelled in the 90s, they struggled heavily to get fans back interested. Eventually they somewhat got there, but this is a troubling time for the MLB. I really do worry about it
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=389010]So the NBA will be going from July 31st-October 12th.

It’s interesting, I’d like to hear what some of you think about what’s going on with baseball.

It sounds like this shifting of the NBA schedule could become a permanent thing. And with all the issues baseball has, I worry they are in significant danger here. Sure, there will always be plenty of people who love baseball, but my uncle was telling me about when baseball got cancelled in the 90s, they struggled heavily to get fans back interested. Eventually they somewhat got there, but this is a troubling time for the MLB. I really do worry about it[/quote]

Baseball was in trouble anyway. It has an old fanbase that is not being replenished by our youth.

NBA and nfl have a much younger audience which bodes well for the future of the sport.
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=389010]So the NBA will be going from July 31st-October 12th.

It’s interesting, I’d like to hear what some of you think about what’s going on with baseball.

It sounds like this shifting of the NBA schedule could become a permanent thing. And with all the issues baseball has, I worry they are in significant danger here. Sure, there will always be plenty of people who love baseball, but my uncle was telling me about when baseball got cancelled in the 90s, they struggled heavily to get fans back interested. Eventually they somewhat got there, but this is a troubling time for the MLB. I really do worry about it[/quote]

I don't think baseball is coming back. And we will all learn that we can live without a major sport, especially with everything else going on in this world. This may be the beginning of the end of baseball as a major sport.
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=389010]
It’s interesting, I’d like to hear what some of you think about what’s going on with baseball.
[/quote]

My take? If the players agree to any salary decrease (beyond pro-rated salaries, which is fine, IMO), then they will have set a very dangerous precedent, and there will be nothing to stop the owners from doing that in the future.

Remember, the players association refused to let Alex Rodriguez get traded to Red Sox in 2003, because Boston wanted him to erase $17 million of future salary, which was guaranteed to him in his contract. Arod was willing to do it, but the PA knew that if they could allow that to happen to someone like Alex, then a player at the bottom of the financial ladder could have it done to him, for any reason. Unfortunately, I do not like what I've seen from Tony Clark as union leader. Let's just say, he doesn't hold a candle to Marvin Miller, Donald Fehr, or Michael Weiner. Scott Boras, though a little too bombastic, is doing a much better job making the players' case, IMO.

As far as season structure, I want 100 games, and I was willing to settle for the 82-game proposal. Anything less raises too many questions about validity, IMO. Of course, I'll watch a 50-game season, because I'd watch, and root for, the Yankees if they were taking on a 4th-grade team, but if the season is going to be that short, then I wouldn't mind waiting until next spring. Plus, I actually wouldn't mind if the regular season permanently got reduced to somewhere between 120-130 games.
 
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[quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=389021][quote="Jack Williams" post=389010]So the NBA will be going from July 31st-October 12th.

It’s interesting, I’d like to hear what some of you think about what’s going on with baseball.

It sounds like this shifting of the NBA schedule could become a permanent thing. And with all the issues baseball has, I worry they are in significant danger here. Sure, there will always be plenty of people who love baseball, but my uncle was telling me about when baseball got cancelled in the 90s, they struggled heavily to get fans back interested. Eventually they somewhat got there, but this is a troubling time for the MLB. I really do worry about it[/quote]

I don't think baseball is coming back. And we will all learn that we can live without a major sport, especially with everything else going on in this world. This may be the beginning of the end of baseball as a major sport.[/quote]

Anything is possible and you could well be right, but I've been hearing about baseball dying as a sport for 40 years. Soccer was going to replace it. Then lacrosse, and even hockey as teams moved to the american south. Yet they rake in more money now than ever as a business.

Clearly its not "America's Pastime" anymore, Football has claimed that title. But its still a huge regional business.

A decline in popularity is certainly happening, but it still draws plenty of spectators and a large, albeit local/regional TV audience. I can't see it going away, just that more and more of the players will be coming from other countries that love the game also. Perhaps that's a blessing in disguise for MLB? As Latino and Asian populations become a larger segment of American society, they could bring a an influx of new, younger fans to follow the players from their ancestral homelands.

Interesting topic.
 
Agree that the pundits have been throwing dirt on MLB for quite a while. I am not convinced 2020 is happening. Last I read they were talking about a 48-54 game season. On the high end that’s 3 games against each team in your league and 12 interleague games. It always comes back to greedy owners and greedy players. I think the owners should take a fiscal loss this year - ownership has its downside. I also think it would be a long term gain, maybe the dearth of quality programming might lead to a few new fans. Players annoy me as well, whining about potentially being away from their families. Warren Spahn fought in the Battle of the Bulge, but today’s millionaires can’t be inconvenienced.

I also believe the NBA is a distant third as far as the leagues go, but I think the future is bright for them. I do think football may have future issues. Less parents allowing their kids to participate for fear of concussions. What happens if insurance companies start increasing premiums for families that have football players?
 
I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season
 
[quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

Okay Ben Shapiro.

When it comes to the NBA, i don’t think the ratings being down this year really tell us anything significant.

a) The dynasty warriors were completely injured. No curry. No Klay. So no splash brothers

b) the big new prospect, Zion, didn’t play for the first 3+ months of the season due to tearing his meniscus

c) arguably the best player in the league, KD, tore his Achilles and didn’t play at all the entire season.

d) kawhi and Paul George joined up to make an interesting clippers team, but Paul George was hurt for the first 2 months of the season and Kawhi sits every 4th game or so.

So I don’t think this years ratings are something to be that concerned about if I were an NBA exec or something. As for baseball, their ratings have always been good, but the argument is about what them actually losing a season while everyone else plays could do to their core fanbase.

In the 90s, fans were furious, and yes this situation is different, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens if they can’t figure this out
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=389046][quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

Okay Ben Shapiro.

When it comes to the NBA, i don’t think the ratings being down this year really tell us anything significant.

a) The dynasty warriors were completely injured. No curry. No Klay. So no splash brothers

b) the big new prospect, Zion, didn’t play for the first 3+ months of the season due to tearing his meniscus

c) arguably the best player in the league, KD, tore his Achilles and didn’t play at all the entire season.

d) kawhi and Paul George joined up to make an interesting clippers team, but Paul George was hurt for the first 2 months of the season and Kawhi sits every 4th game or so.

So I don’t think this years ratings are something to be that concerned about if I were an NBA exec or something. As for baseball, their ratings have always been good, but the argument is about what them actually losing a season while everyone else plays could do to their core fanbase.

In the 90s, fans were furious, and yes this situation is different, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens if they can’t figure this out[/quote]
To be fair, during my baseball fandom, it has survived an in-season strike, a season-ending strike (Yankees/Expos WS), and the steroid debacle. Not to mention Bret Saberhagen spraying bleach around the Mets’ clubhouse with a super soaker.
 
[quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

The problem the NBA is facing is competitive balance. Players have too much control over movement and work to put super teams together to win titles. Most average fans don't want to watch an event where the outcome is preordained. I'm not sure how you fix that, but its a major problem that MLB doesn't have. Look at the Yankees. they have the most resources and largest fan base, they spend on players and are loaded with stars which allows them to make the playoffs every year. Haven't won a title in 11 years. As a Yankee fan, that sucks. Bu its great for baseball.
 
Baseball certainly has its problems. Not coming back this season would hurt as well. Even attendance has been dropping. Changes will be needed.

However, Baseball drew 68.5 million fans in 2019. So throwing dirt over the corpse is a tad bit premature. Sometimes I wonder if owners don’t want us all to think things are a little worse than they are.

For those who haven’t seen this is interesting: [URL]https://www.nytimes.com/intera...aseball/baseball-popularity-world-series.html[/URL]
 
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[quote="SJUFAN2" post=389056][quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

The problem the NBA is facing is competitive balance. Players have too much control over movement and work to put super teams together to win titles. Most average fans don't want to watch an event where the outcome is preordained. I'm not sure how you fix that, but its a major problem that MLB doesn't have. Look at the Yankees. they have the most resources and largest fan base, they spend on players and are loaded with stars which allows them to make the playoffs every year. Haven't won a title in 11 years. As a Yankee fan, that sucks. Bu its great for baseball.[/quote]

Now that durant has left the warriors and lebron has relinquished his decade long hold over the eastern conference, things are starting to look up on the competitive side. I’m a Sixers AND knicks supporter, so I usually just focus on the East, and the East is getting a lot better.

I actually thought this year was set up to be one of the more interesting playoffs in years before it got ruined. Excited for the corona playoffs
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=389066][quote="SJUFAN2" post=389056][quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

The problem the NBA is facing is competitive balance. Players have too much control over movement and work to put super teams together to win titles. Most average fans don't want to watch an event where the outcome is preordained. I'm not sure how you fix that, but its a major problem that MLB doesn't have. Look at the Yankees. they have the most resources and largest fan base, they spend on players and are loaded with stars which allows them to make the playoffs every year. Haven't won a title in 11 years. As a Yankee fan, that sucks. Bu its great for baseball.[/quote]

Now that durant has left the warriors and lebron has relinquished his decade long hold over the eastern conference, things are starting to look up on the competitive side. I’m a Sixers AND knicks supporter, so I usually just focus on the East, and the East is getting a lot better.

I actually thought this year was set up to be one of the more interesting playoffs in years before it got ruined. Excited for the corona playoffs[/quote]

How many teams actually have a legit shot at winning the Championship?
 
[quote="SJUFAN2" post=389068][quote="Jack Williams" post=389066][quote="SJUFAN2" post=389056][quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

The problem the NBA is facing is competitive balance. Players have too much control over movement and work to put super teams together to win titles. Most average fans don't want to watch an event where the outcome is preordained. I'm not sure how you fix that, but its a major problem that MLB doesn't have. Look at the Yankees. they have the most resources and largest fan base, they spend on players and are loaded with stars which allows them to make the playoffs every year. Haven't won a title in 11 years. As a Yankee fan, that sucks. Bu its great for baseball.[/quote]

Now that durant has left the warriors and lebron has relinquished his decade long hold over the eastern conference, things are starting to look up on the competitive side. I’m a Sixers AND knicks supporter, so I usually just focus on the East, and the East is getting a lot better.

I actually thought this year was set up to be one of the more interesting playoffs in years before it got ruined. Excited for the corona playoffs[/quote]

How many teams actually have a legit shot at winning the Championship?[/quote]

Lakers
Clippers
Bucks
Raptors
Celtics
Heat
Sixers
Nets (if KD plays)


This is what I’m saying. The East is in a really good place right now. Mostly young stars and they can all make the run to the finals. People might think I’m crazy for putting the Sixers because they’ve had a ton of problems this year but they are still one of the most talented teams in the league.

The west is less competitive than the East right now. But with Ja and Zion in the west, the warriors getting back healthy next season, things are looking up.

Assuming the warriors and nets are both healthy next season, we could have 9-10 teams capable of winning the title, which might be the most the NBA has ever had. Which is why I think it is looking up
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=389046][quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

Okay Ben Shapiro.

When it comes to the NBA, i don’t think the ratings being down this year really tell us anything significant.

a) The dynasty warriors were completely injured. No curry. No Klay. So no splash brothers

b) the big new prospect, Zion, didn’t play for the first 3+ months of the season due to tearing his meniscus

c) arguably the best player in the league, KD, tore his Achilles and didn’t play at all the entire season.

d) kawhi and Paul George joined up to make an interesting clippers team, but Paul George was hurt for the first 2 months of the season and Kawhi sits every 4th game or so.

So I don’t think this years ratings are something to be that concerned about if I were an NBA exec or something. As for baseball, their ratings have always been good, but the argument is about what them actually losing a season while everyone else plays could do to their core fanbase.

In the 90s, fans were furious, and yes this situation is different, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens if they can’t figure this out[/quote]

ratings were down last year too
 
[quote="SJUFAN2" post=389056][quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

The problem the NBA is facing is competitive balance. Players have too much control over movement and work to put super teams together to win titles. Most average fans don't want to watch an event where the outcome is preordained. I'm not sure how you fix that, but its a major problem that MLB doesn't have. Look at the Yankees. they have the most resources and largest fan base, they spend on players and are loaded with stars which allows them to make the playoffs every year. Haven't won a title in 11 years. As a Yankee fan, that sucks. Bu its great for baseball.[/quote]

100% agree
 
[quote="Patrick" post=389071][quote="Jack Williams" post=389046][quote="Patrick" post=389045]I know feelings count more than facts in 2020 but for the record basketball tv ratings were down 12% this year and both ratings and attendance were up for baseball last season[/quote]

Okay Ben Shapiro.

When it comes to the NBA, i don’t think the ratings being down this year really tell us anything significant.

a) The dynasty warriors were completely injured. No curry. No Klay. So no splash brothers

b) the big new prospect, Zion, didn’t play for the first 3+ months of the season due to tearing his meniscus

c) arguably the best player in the league, KD, tore his Achilles and didn’t play at all the entire season.

d) kawhi and Paul George joined up to make an interesting clippers team, but Paul George was hurt for the first 2 months of the season and Kawhi sits every 4th game or so.

So I don’t think this years ratings are something to be that concerned about if I were an NBA exec or something. As for baseball, their ratings have always been good, but the argument is about what them actually losing a season while everyone else plays could do to their core fanbase.

In the 90s, fans were furious, and yes this situation is different, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens if they can’t figure this out[/quote]

ratings were down last year too[/quote]

Nielsen ratings don’t include Canadian views and the raptors won the whole thing. Ratings in Canada were absurd.

The new TV negotiations coming up are going to change the NBA forever. The way basketball is broadcasted currently is bogus with the league pass being horrendous. The new TV deals will grant more access to the game than ever before. The NBA has a much brighter future than baseball imo
 
Jack, we will see. I think baseball has been horrible about promoting their biggest stars, like Trout. They need to do that for sure. The NBA, in my opinion, would be helped tremendously if the Knicks could figure out how to function. Hopefully Rose knows what to do but I'm afraid it's a typical Dolan move
 
[quote="Patrick" post=389084]Jack, we will see. I think baseball has been horrible about promoting their biggest stars, like Trout. They need to do that for sure. The NBA, in my opinion, would be helped tremendously if the Knicks could figure out how to function. Hopefully Rose knows what to do but I'm afraid it's a typical Dolan move[/quote]

Yea that’s one thing baseball desperately needs to fix. Trout can probably walk around downtown LA and not even get stopped by fans. This guy is statistically one of the best baseball players ever.

The NBAs stars have proven to very easily marketable, but it’ll be interesting to see a post-LeBron NBA.

Honestly, there’s room for all of these sports to succeed. The Nba needs to fix some balancing issues, baseball needs to speed the game up a little and also find some stars who can become household names like Jeter, Ripken, etc.

Don’t know how marketable he becomes but as a mets fan I am terrified of Juan Soto
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=389085][quote="Patrick" post=389084]Jack, we will see. I think baseball has been horrible about promoting their biggest stars, like Trout. They need to do that for sure. The NBA, in my opinion, would be helped tremendously if the Knicks could figure out how to function. Hopefully Rose knows what to do but I'm afraid it's a typical Dolan move[/quote]

Yea that’s one thing baseball desperately needs to fix. Trout can probably walk around downtown LA and not even get stopped by fans. This guy is statistically one of the best baseball players ever.

The NBAs stars have proven to very easily marketable, but it’ll be interesting to see a post-LeBron NBA.

Honestly, there’s room for all of these sports to succeed. The Nba needs to fix some balancing issues, baseball needs to speed the game up a little and also find some stars who can become household names like Jeter, Ripken, etc.

Don’t know how marketable he becomes but as a mets fan I am terrified of Juan Soto[/quote]

funny you mentioned that about lebron as I was going to type that too but decided to keep it shorter. I wonder about that as well since I don't think Durant gets that type of respect and I'm not sure who takes the crown. as for Soto, talented and big personality, could be a guy
 
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