Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Can you provide an example of what you mean by the bolded?
(sincere question)
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I think the main issue for me is the game management side which seems evident but will of course be impossible to ever get anyone to admit or pin down. Seems like refs are definitely encouraged to keep things close if possible, and to me that detracts from the sport itself and sort of cheapens it.
Growing up I was a huge fan of jerseys and I know this is a non-issue for most fans but just for me personally it sort of cheapens these brands and iconic sweaters to have ads on them. I understand that other major pro sports do it but I just don’t get why this was absolutely necessary. I used to actually collect jerseys as a kid and now kids growing up will be buying jerseys as billboards eventually, which, okay, whatever. It isn’t a big deal just kinda lame.
Owners grind every city they are in playing on the emotions of fans to extract tax revenue for their private businesses. This is sort of a sleazy way to extort the emotional aspect of the sport, and to me again would only lead to massively increased prices on tickets and food and beer / overall experience, which reduces the value for fans. The other issue with this is because this is a carrot offered by the league to provide things like all-star games, draft, special events, Calgary won’t ever host these again unless they follow through on the taxpayer extortion playing out, like all the other cities.
A 10 year deal with Rogers, the worst company on earth, has been endured by fans only because it’s mandatory to watch NHL hockey. While I’m sure they provided the best bid in the tendering process, I am not impressed like Rogers shareholders would be with their ability to cut costs all over the place. Broadcast quality is an issue here and reduced value to fans.
I am sure I can come up with more but the biggest problem for me is compromising the integrity of the sport because you have a business and want to make a bunch of money. Like, no, if the game is destined to be 8-0 let things play out the way they normally would. We don’t need the invisible hand of the Toronto war room creating a scenario where McDavid and the Oilers get artificially propped up when they should be getting blown out 6-0 and their ####ty D exposed for what it is.