The short northern season definitely hurts. But even down here, I won't play on weekends unless the weather is perfect and I far prefer to play on Tuesdays. Less rank beginners.

I'm going to be in Chicago on Sunday and Monday and it's going to be in the low 40s. Just not enjoyable for 10 year olds to go play sports outside when they can lock themselves in their bedroom with a phone or a tablet and play whatever games they want.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

MLB data driven, bullpenning. NBA a 3 point league now. Definitely turned me off. Now BLM being forced on viewers. If they want to mention BLM at the beginning of an event, fine. But, having it plastered on screen constantly through a game is going to hurt ratings

To be fair, the quality looks poor because of the size of the screens now. They looked decent on a 27" 4:3 screen, not so much blown up to 75".

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I think at this point people like this are looking for it to fill their rage quota for the day.

I just don’t see it during NFL/College football all that much.

Maybe I’m missing it.

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Just my personal observations, for whatever they are worth...

I have 3 teenagers. All of them have played sports growing up, mostly baseball/softball. The 1 loves watching sports, mostly baseball and football. The other 2 would rather stab a sharp stick into their eye than watch any sports on TV.

In 5 years of coaching my daughters softball team (most of roster active in multiple sports), I can't remember ever hearing a conversation at practice/games regarding sports. The only exception being my 1 daughter talking to the coaches about Cub/Sox/Bears.

Small sample size, but I just don't think most kids care about watching sports. Or even if they do, there are 1000 other things, so it will never be a big "rating".

I was watching Big East replays during a John Thompson tribute and I loved it. The collection of big name talent in one conference made it watchable even today

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I forgot about tanking, the REAL legacy to baseball of Theo Epstein.

Who would want to watch a game when the management is telling you in advance of the season that its strategy is to lose as many games as possible in order to purchase a lottery ticket? Then all the trained seals in the media tell you how stupid you are for not enjoying the brilliance of the plan

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I agree with this and the analytics thing.

GM fanboys are the worst breed of sports fan.

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--> Moved to Politics

I can see that. But then it looks more like the personalities were as big a draw as the play.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Theo only tanked the Cubs because the other owners got belligerent and changed the rules he exploited in Boston on compensatory draft picks. Theo essentially bought extra draft picks in Boston by taking on expiring contracts, letting the player go to free agency, and get the automatic draft pick. No qualifying offer.

Theo gets to Chicago, and before he can do anything they change the rules so he can't repeat it.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Conversely, it's amazing how little the presentation has evolved since about 2006. If you went from 1978-1992, you'd see the video quality improve by leaps and bounds.

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RIP Foxtraxx Puck

Old boxing can be a treat. My sports is down a bit for a number of reasons. I believe it to be short term and should pick up in 2021.

Another good exception.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Now I need to find the ABC broadcast of Ali-Norton 1 from the 70s. I watched that live on my parents' 12" bedroom TV with my dad who was recovering from a back injury and loopy in painkillers, and while I remember virtually no specifics, I was mesmerized by both the fight and Cosell.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I have always consumed far more baseball on the radio than the TV, well, except for afternoon Cubs game as a pre-teen. I actually prefer to listen rather than watch.

The forced pay-to-view on RSNs and cable networks ticks me off.

Of my kids, only my oldest watches much sports, and only then socially. The middle kid spends hours watching other people play video games. Meh. But he likes it.

Fandom takes work, not many people are up for that.

Not enough female broadcasters.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

My sports viewing has been in gradual decline over the past 20 years.

FOX and CNN/SI seemed to start all the SCREAMING and YELLING when they went up against ESPN. I remember an ESPN suit once saying, "yeah, we don't see the need for all the yelling" which is hilarious now with what ESPN has become. I don't want to be yelled at - the more reserved nature of tennis and golf announcers is very comforting.

I used to read 2 print newspapers everyday and was really in tune with the big 3 sports. Knew most of the rosters and the stats/league leaders at the time. Now I have no clue about any of that. I have to remind myself that the Astros are no longer in the NL

The explosion of gambling and fantasy football has definitely impacted my enjoyment of talking about football. I don't give a shit about your bad beat or your fantasy football team with the stupid fucking name.

For the most part, I do most of my sports viewing on Sundays. Pro football, golf, tennis (majors) and open-wheel racing all slot in there nicely.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

Seems like the Score is 80% gambling or fantasy sports, must be the target market with disposable cash?

They are not at the VSIN level yet, and in fact ditched their relationship. But I think that a gambling network in the VSIN mold but with a mix of national and local hosts is the parent company's long term play, say 4 years from now.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

And the winner of the Biggest Pussy on the Board goes too....!

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Must be. I’ve never seen the appeal but I know a lot of people love it. The screaming and yelling doesn’t do much for me either. Yeah, I know “get off my lawn.”

I too am a bigger consumer of baseball on the radio than TV. Get a bit of college football usually too as I’m either driving or working in the field. The tempo of baseball on the radio is perfect for making the hours go by faster. My boys have started watching a bit of football and hockey if i turn it on. I partially imagine that it’s pRt of maturing and I partially imagine they are waiting for the old man to doze off so they can change the channel.

Yeah, wasn't it Fox who started the idiotic "RIGHT NOW!" graphic?

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No, that was Van Halen.

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No it’s Gus Johnson.

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The rule changes for the NBA and NFL is a big reason I don't enjoy those two sports as much as I used to. Fantasy Football keeps me hooked on non Bear games.

I like defense and teams having to overcome adversity. When a player puts a big hit on a guy and it gets flagged I go from "wow, what a play!" to, "wow, what a shit call." Takes the excitement out of the game and replaces it with frustration. I don't want to watch something that frustrates me.

Free agency and players grouping up to form super teams is a HUGE turnoff. Players have too much power and the superstars make too much. No one should be making 450MIL. Salaries should be capped and the team should have to pay special taxes to the state for community services like mental health care and infrastructures.

I think I agree. Safety has taken some of oomph out of sports. To me, the most beautiful sports play was a 6-4-3 DP with the 2nd baseman taken out as he throws. Now it's just routine like ever other routine play.