Troy Aikman: NFL May Not Remain No. 1 Sport

[jms493]

As a non NBA fan I cant think of anyone I would want to go see play..............maybe Lin?

Haha.

And Len B........fucking little league baseball....cmon man.

[ralaw]

You'd think a player like LeBron would be that guy...I don't exactly see a guy loaded with street cred, but for some reason, I don't see LeBron ever taking that next step as an ambassador of the sport like Jordan was. Jordan defied black/white/purple/rich/poor/men/women.

Yeah, I think LeBron James was that guy until he went to Miami. Had he stayed with the Cavs and won a championship he probably could have been that guy. Since going to Miami we've seen some athletic character flaws with him.

A guy that actually has the ability, but due to his size probably doesn't get the attention he should is Dwight Howard. Howard has the personality, looks and on-court ability. However, traditionally its very hard for people to relate to big men and big men aren’t handling the ball, taking big shots, etc.

As a non NBA fan I cant think of anyone I would want to go see play..............maybe Lin?

Jeremy Lin has the story, but being Asian will hurt, because people don’t naturally relate to Asians in this country. We’ve never had a big-time Asian star…maybe he can change that. However, he’s in NY, the team is winning and his game has the flare that traditionally draws people. If NY can develop into a great team the Miami versus NY matchup would be a goldmine for the league.

[Len B]

Completely disagree and question the relevancy of your post. Kids still grow up playing baseball. Parents are still cautious about putting their kids into youth football leagues, but they do not hesitate to put their kids in softball/baseball/T-ball. I actually followed baseball much more when I was a kid, because I was playing it back then (and I had more time to follow it). MLB has a problem keeping the fans it creates, not attracting new ones.

And what is your point? As has been said, from the mid-70's every boy and girl has been forced to play youth soccer at some point in their childhood, yet the MLS is still a relatively minor league.

You can disagree all you want but it doesn't make it true. I spent years in college majoring in grassroots sports and socio/economical issues with baseball was a huge issue. Participation does have an impact on fan totals. There's a reason baseball spends tons of money on cheap family promotion.

You're speaking for the minority in this case, middle class to above class white males. Start factoring in low income areas, blacks, asians, fatherless children etc. and you see the big picture. There are studies after studies on this subject. It's not like the middle class white male is always going to be the main point of society.

And yes, kids are FORCED to play soccer. That doesn't mean they like the sport. Soccer is the cheapest sport for US participation. Every soccer player I grew up with who likes the game lives for the World Cup. Every hockey player loves the Bruins, bball Celtics, etc. We didn't have a football program in my town and only the die hard jocks followed NFL before the 2000s. There's obviously going to be deviances, but statistically it will hold true.

Can baseball thrive? Sure. will it be harder than basketball/football? Of course.

[Len B]

And this is all about 20 years from now, not today. These studies would indicate change will show next generation, so only time will tell I suppose.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Yeah, I think LeBron James was that guy until he went to Miami. Had he stayed with the Cavs and won a championship he probably could have been that guy. Since going to Miami we've seen some athletic character flaws with him.

A guy that actually has the ability, but due to his size probably doesn't get the attention he should is Dwight Howard. Howard has the personality, looks and on-court ability. However, traditionally its very hard for people to relate to big men and big men aren’t handling the ball, taking big shots, etc.



Jeremy Lin has the story, but being Asian will hurt, because people don’t naturally relate to Asians in this country. We’ve never had a big-time Asian star…maybe he can change that. However, he’s in NY, the team is winning and his game has the flare that traditionally draws people. If NY can develop into a great team the Miami versus NY matchup would be a goldmine for the league.

The most popular player post Jordan was Shaq...but Shaq has a world of personality...Jordan wasn't exactly a variety show like Shaq, albeit, Jordan has charisma for days.

And its odd that we see LeBron with his character flaws, because Jordan was definitely not without them...I do think, Jordan surrounded himself with better people though...his entourage and marketing team were second to none.

[Senser81]

Professional Football is a real drag to watch live. It has become a sport that is made to watch at a sports bar (maybe senser's sports bar?) where you only half watch/focus on a game, while being able to divert your attention to other games at the same time, or bullshit with your buddies. The game, is overly boring these days and not ADD friendly, so, the game's best setting is now at a sports bar, where you can watch multiple games and have numerous stimuli during the 4 hour game where 30m of actual game play takes place (maybe).

College Football however, is an experience all its own...its not ADD friendly, but live, the experience can't be beat.

Agreed. Attending college games is fun. Attending NFL games seems like work.

And if you are ever in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, stop on by. You have a standing table reservation at my place.

[Senser81]

You can disagree all you want but it doesn't make it true. I spent years in college majoring in grassroots sports and socio/economical issues with baseball was a huge issue. Participation does have an impact on fan totals. There's a reason baseball spends tons of money on cheap family promotion.

You're speaking for the minority in this case, middle class to above class white males. Start factoring in low income areas, blacks, asians, fatherless children etc. and you see the big picture. There are studies after studies on this subject. It's not like the middle class white male is always going to be the main point of society.

And yes, kids are FORCED to play soccer. That doesn't mean they like the sport. Soccer is the cheapest sport for US participation. Every soccer player I grew up with who likes the game lives for the World Cup. Every hockey player loves the Bruins, bball Celtics, etc. We didn't have a football program in my town and only the die hard jocks followed NFL before the 2000s. There's obviously going to be deviances, but statistically it will hold true.

Can baseball thrive? Sure. will it be harder than basketball/football? Of course.

Years of college wasted....first, majoring in "grassroots sports" (was Andy Katzenmoyer in your class?)...second, even with years of college under your belt, you aren't able to comprehend or compose a simple forum post.

Last I checked, a majority of paying customers to baseball games and a majority of the target audience for TV/radio advertisers are middle-class white males. I didn't know the economic structure of baseball had fatherless children and low-income blacks as its foundation.

And your post is again irrelevent. You say participation impacts fan totals...I agreed! But again, the problem with baseball isn't attracting new fans from the orphanage...its keeping the fans it creates through Little League.

I am amazed that, through being a casual fan, I have a greater understanding of this topic than someone such as yourself who majored in "grassroots sports". I don't know what college you went to, but the education you received wasn't worth a dime.

[ZoneBlitz]

Anyone who says football is boring to watch will get a groan from me.

[Senser81]

Also, I'm pretty sure your "studies" are made up, or crap, as football is, without question, the most expensive youth sport to get up and running (sans Ice Hockey). LOL @ just a ball. The equipment costs are near as high as ice hockey, but you need to equip more players.

Disagree. I would guess that his studies are correct. I used to run the Youth Football League (YFL) here in Minneapolis, and it was pretty simple. I went out and bought a football, sent out some flyers charging parents $75 to join, and had the kids come over and play football in my backyard. Easy money.

[jms493]

I had fun watching the Giants beat the Pats this year @ Gillette field.

[jms493]

Senser..........that was liquidlarry harsh!

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Disagree. I would guess that his studies are correct. I used to run the Youth Football League (YFL) here in Minneapolis, and it was pretty simple. I went out and bought a football, sent out some flyers charging parents $75 to join, and had the kids come over and play football in my backyard. Easy money.

Sounds very Jerry Sandusky of you.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Agreed. Attending college games is fun. Attending NFL games seems like work.

And if you are ever in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, stop on by. You have a standing table reservation at my place.

Thats very nice of you!

[Len B]

Senser is one of those retard trolls, so his opinion is shit. I get my enjoyment in life out of helping young adults learn sports the proper way and helping underpriviledgedin my spare time, and make my living in the business world.

Meanwhile he spends his life trying to fit in on the forum I created for him. I am his God, in a way.

[Senser81]

Senser is one of those retard trolls, so his opinion is shit. I get my enjoyment in life out of helping young adults learn sports the proper way and helping underpriviledgedin my spare time, and make my living in the business world.

Meanwhile he spends his life trying to fit in on the forum I created for him. I am his God, in a way.

I spent years of college majoring in grassroots trolling. Respect.

I disagreed with what you wrote, and I stated my reasons. I hate it when people try to justify their opinions with the moronic "well, I know more than you so thats that", which is what you did. Seriously, you majored in "grassroots sports"?? What college did you go to?

If you are going to disagree with me, fine. Stay on point.