Robin PottratzThe role of sports in a downward economy
November 14th 2008 22:16
Lets begin with the cold hard facts: 1. We are in an economic crisis with a plummeting Dow industrial and unemployment the highest it has been in 20 years. 2. Jobs are becoming increasingly more scarce with entry level positions being almost non existent...I should know I am a recent college grad with absolutely no employment opportunity. 3. In this current economy, diversions are being embraced like never before and a favorite in that category has always been sports. The problem with attending sporting events live is that they require money that more and more people do not have. Not only is there a price of a ticket, there are also concession stands, souvenir shops, and transportation to the game. When all is said and done, you could find yourself spending $150-200 dollars at a game. That kind of disposable income is just not available as it was a few years ago...and the paragon of sport and fandom is suffering as a result.
What is an encouraging sign is that professional sports entities all over the country are taking these factors into account and trying to accommodate their respective fan bases to the best of their abilities. It was announced this week that one of sports most popular franchises, the Boston Red Sox will not raise their ticket prices for the first time in 14 years. The Red Sox sort of have a reputation of being one of the high payroll monsters in professional sports, but the decision to freeze ticket prices is a financially sensible and simply kind gesture. One that shows a level of gratitude to their fan base and also has the potential of setting a precedent that with any luck will be followed by other sports franchises throughout our current economic down stroke.
Another encouraging sign is that the NFL announced that they would reduce first round playoff ticket prices by an average of 10 percent. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made this ruling in response to "the economic challenges facing fans." The significance of this ruling is that the NFL is arguably the most popular sport entity in the United States today and the lowering of ticket prices displays a level of goodwill toward the fans that made the NFL so successful.
The most daring economic sports story has to be the story of the New Jersey Nets. The New Jersey Nets are taking public relations with the economically downtrodden to a higher level. The Nets have set up a promotion where unemployed fans can send their resumes to the team. In exchange, the Nets will give each applicant a free ticket to a game and will circulate each resume among the team's corporate sponsors. The New Jersey Nets are not only extending an olive branch to the fans, but are also putting forth an effort to address the high unemployment rates in this country. The Nets are setting a true example of giving back to the community and should be commended for their efforts.
I got the idea for this post because today is the first official day of Major League Baseball's free agency period. The MLB is the one major sports league that doesn't have a salary cap, so teams can spend an unlimited amount of money on one given player. The question has been posed of whether or not the proposed dollar amounts will be reduced in response to the economic crisis. If the first day has been any indication the dollar amounts will remain unchanged. The New York Yankees have already offered C.C. Sabathia a contract worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $140 million dollars. Also, the Los Angeles Dodgers have offered Manny Ramirez a contract lasting 2 years for $45 million dollars with a 3rd year option worth $15 million. I just find it odd that in a time where the middle class of America is suffering through financial dire straits, the large cities of the United States are still bestowing outrages wages to people that can hit a ball a long way or can strike some batters out.
The umbrella of sport is providing some relief from the worries of the common man. However the actions of Major League Baseball are just perplexing. Whether it is the players or the teams, I think that the greed that exists makes it difficult for the economically damaged to root for them. The NFL, Boston Red Sox, and New Jersey Nets are admirable...and possibly heroic for their gracious efforts to help their fans. However, professional sports as a whole has a long way to go before they can call themselves charitable. Despite my griping and complaining...I still will find myself basking in the glow of professional sports because hey...I'm unemployed too.
What is an encouraging sign is that professional sports entities all over the country are taking these factors into account and trying to accommodate their respective fan bases to the best of their abilities. It was announced this week that one of sports most popular franchises, the Boston Red Sox will not raise their ticket prices for the first time in 14 years. The Red Sox sort of have a reputation of being one of the high payroll monsters in professional sports, but the decision to freeze ticket prices is a financially sensible and simply kind gesture. One that shows a level of gratitude to their fan base and also has the potential of setting a precedent that with any luck will be followed by other sports franchises throughout our current economic down stroke.
Another encouraging sign is that the NFL announced that they would reduce first round playoff ticket prices by an average of 10 percent. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made this ruling in response to "the economic challenges facing fans." The significance of this ruling is that the NFL is arguably the most popular sport entity in the United States today and the lowering of ticket prices displays a level of goodwill toward the fans that made the NFL so successful.
The most daring economic sports story has to be the story of the New Jersey Nets. The New Jersey Nets are taking public relations with the economically downtrodden to a higher level. The Nets have set up a promotion where unemployed fans can send their resumes to the team. In exchange, the Nets will give each applicant a free ticket to a game and will circulate each resume among the team's corporate sponsors. The New Jersey Nets are not only extending an olive branch to the fans, but are also putting forth an effort to address the high unemployment rates in this country. The Nets are setting a true example of giving back to the community and should be commended for their efforts.
I got the idea for this post because today is the first official day of Major League Baseball's free agency period. The MLB is the one major sports league that doesn't have a salary cap, so teams can spend an unlimited amount of money on one given player. The question has been posed of whether or not the proposed dollar amounts will be reduced in response to the economic crisis. If the first day has been any indication the dollar amounts will remain unchanged. The New York Yankees have already offered C.C. Sabathia a contract worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $140 million dollars. Also, the Los Angeles Dodgers have offered Manny Ramirez a contract lasting 2 years for $45 million dollars with a 3rd year option worth $15 million. I just find it odd that in a time where the middle class of America is suffering through financial dire straits, the large cities of the United States are still bestowing outrages wages to people that can hit a ball a long way or can strike some batters out.
The umbrella of sport is providing some relief from the worries of the common man. However the actions of Major League Baseball are just perplexing. Whether it is the players or the teams, I think that the greed that exists makes it difficult for the economically damaged to root for them. The NFL, Boston Red Sox, and New Jersey Nets are admirable...and possibly heroic for their gracious efforts to help their fans. However, professional sports as a whole has a long way to go before they can call themselves charitable. Despite my griping and complaining...I still will find myself basking in the glow of professional sports because hey...I'm unemployed too.
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