Has the pandemic reduced your interest in professional sports?

[Kitaman]

Let me start by saying I'm a former athlete (jock) and loved all sports.

However outside of our Huskies, I think this pandemic 'cured' me of my sports addiction. The golf Tourney was on this past weekend and I didn't even peek. The NBA, MLB and NFL are trying to get back on track but I've not even shown any interest in the updates or following the news. I may check ESPN once or twice a week and that's only their website.

I think this experience has forced me to look for alternative ways to occupy my time and mind, and perhaps create/participate in my own activities. I guess the best way of putting it, is that I am in no rush to sit in front of my TV for 2-3 hours or more watching men play a game. At least in the spring/summer.

Of course this may be temporary, cuz by virtue of being a member on this forum I'm a fanatic but still its changed to only following our Huskies (right now). I really think I've changed though, because I'm not missing it as much as I thought I would.

 

[GetTheFacts]

Maybe it's just me, but I always lose interest in following sports, both collegiate or professional, during the summer. When it's dark at 5pm every night and 30 degrees outside, it's a little bit easier to get sucked back into watching sports on more of a consistent basis.

 

[kelde1wd]

For some of the sports yes, still really looking forward to college basketball, but that has always been my go-to sport.

 

[Ts5034]

Maybe it's just me, but I always lose interest in following sports, both collegiate or professional, during the summer. When it's dark at 5pm every night and 30 degrees outside, it's a little bit easier to get sucked back into watching sports on more of a consistent basis.

Thats why baseball is the perfect sport for the busy summer months. I feel like I don’t have to be in front of the TV for every pitch, but still know whats going on because you can have it on the radio or follow the score on your phone. Even though you can do the same for basketball, its not the same. Unless im in front of the TV or watching the game live, I feel like Im missing out because its so fast pace.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

well there arent any professional sports to really follow right now so yes?

 

[Kitaman]

well there arent any professional sports to really follow right now so yes?

Agree, but I've lost the anticipation of them returning. I really believe I will be just fine if they don't return this year. All expect college basketball.

Funny but my brother has 3 TVs set up in his Mancave. I think he will be freaking out if pro sports don't return.

 

[dannyHAM]

I think I am the complete opposite. Due to none of the traditional sports being on i've started to really get into watching more of the UFC, just because they have been putting live events on. I sort of always have a craving for a sporting event.

 

[glastonbury50]

Its made me miss sports and look forward to them way more. Not having them has been really hard. Even though I understand your point of "watching grown men play a game," the seasons start to become more of a soap opera as they go along. Its something to get lost in and distract from everything else. Quarantine would have been wayyy easier for me if there were sports on tv.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Agree, but I've lost the anticipation of them returning. I really believe I will be just fine if they don't return this year. All expect college basketball.

Funny but my brother has 3 TVs set up in his Mancave. I think he will be freaking out if pro sports don't return.

honestly, im excited for whatever remainder of the NBA/NHL season we'll get. I've been losing interest in MLB over the years. Always preferred playing baseball or softball over watching it at this point.

 

[8893]

College basketball is by far the number one sport I follow, and MLB is by far the professional sport I follow and watch most.

I really miss baseball. I love the pace, the strategy and tradition; and it is very easy to keep on the TV while I am working, reading or having a conversation.

I had tickets to see the Mets vs. Nats at Citi Field last Friday and even though I knew it wasn't happening, it was sad when Friday passed along with that opportunity.

 

[UCSouth]

More of a college sports person as I've gotten older. The situation with the pandemic and other things going on in the country have kind of sealed the deal for me.

 

[navery12]

I feel the same way, I'm definitely excited for CBB but I'm indifferent with all these other sports and to be honest I don't even really want baseball back. But once they're back there's no doubt I'll be watch again.

The big change for me is going to be fantasy sports. I'm in a ton of fantasy baseball leagues (~20 in any given year), all kinds of formats and all the way up to a 30 team dynasty league I run. I haven't missed it at all with no season this year, so definitely going to cut back on a ton of those leagues going forward

 

[JB75]

If we can just have college hoops this year and nobody mess with my nfl Sunday’s, I’ll survive. No greater feeling than waking up on a Sunday morning getting all your Fantasy lineups set and putting your bets in and getting ready to watch 12 straight hours of wall-to-wall football on red zone. And to think, just a few years ago we were forced to watch one dumb boring local game on tv. my how things have changed.

 

[gtcam]

I love baseball but the politics and the increasing BS in MLB is tearing me away from the desire to watch it. At least I was able to see my Cubbies win the big one!. Too much technology usage in making sure every call is 100% perfect is driving me up a wall.
Pro football is over protective of the QB and it handcuffs the defense in so many ways - the play is becoming offense vs offense
Pro basketball has become one huge political dias - nearly every "superstar" and most coaches are experts on so much with current events and add so little - just throw up the ball and play - I love watching these guys play but the other crap is making it difficult.
While college sports are slowly evolving into the same murky waters, there is still a sense of freshness every year. I can't imagine life without college hoops or (sorry) the EPL soccer
I think this pandemic has sharpened my opinions and lessened my desire to watch these pro leagues
But in the end, I'll be in front of the boob tube watching the big games

 

[Jbirdp5]

Baseball has been the biggest turnoff as neither side appears to be reasonable or able to compromise

 

[Palatine]

Watching golf has always been relaxation time for me. Nice to have to it back. Enjoyed the Colonial.

Basketball and football are much more high energy. I get much more into the UConn games than professional games. I yell at the TV set and heavens. So I haven't done that in quite a while. There's no question I will watch every Huskies foootball and basketball game and be completely engaged when they return.

 

[NEforceUConn]

Baseball has been the biggest turnoff as neither side appears to be reasonable or able to compromise

kind of like a stale marriage.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Baseball down
NBA - UP
NCAA Hoop - same (more interested due to UConn BE/Hurley etc)
NCAA Everything Else - feeling more negative towards ncaa than ever
Football - down
Hockey - neutral
Soccer - neutral

 

[the Q]

I miss MLB and UConn sports. A lot.

Frankly I’d rather watch Pro wrestling than either the nfl or the nba. Both are corrupt products with far too much favoritism.

Just the draft is enough coverage for both those sports for me. It’s the most interesting part of both leagues.

 

[NC_Uconn_Fan]

Probably, who knows..don't really have choice right now. I did watch a lot of golf this weekend, even tuned in in Thursday and Friday which I rarely do. I do miss having baseball on in the background at night.

 

[Kenny11]

I miss professional sports especially the nba, but I don't miss baseball so I'm fine. I've been more worried about local sports, getting kids back to playing sports here, etc.

 

[kemba]

It hasn't diminished my interest in sports during "normal" times at all. It's hurt my enthusiasm a lot though because as much as I want them back I know its most likely going to be a long time before they are normal again with big crowds, no fear of the leagues having to shut down again, etc. Honestly its probably dampened my enthusiasm for cbb the most, went into this year looking forward to great atmospheres almost every game once big east play started instead of the 9 pm games in front of 100 people at tulane we were used to. Still time, but right now even if we have a season and allow fans to some degree doesn't feel like it will be the same

 

[Edward Sargent]

I miss listening to baseball on the radio, which has always been my favorite. Most of all though is I miss opening my sports pages with my morning coffee and digesting the scores, injury reports, trade news etc., If that happens with UConn bball it will be a sad sorry day. I live in Florida though and I am golfing 3-4 days a week, taking long bike rides and my wife and I spend an hour in the pool 3 to 4 times a week, so maybe I am better off healthwise!

 

[JimHurley]

I love baseball but the politics and the increasing BS in MLB is tearing me away from the desire to watch it. At least I was able to see my Cubbies win the big one!. Too much technology usage in making sure every call is 100% perfect is driving me up a wall.
Pro football is over protective of the QB and it handcuffs the defense in so many ways - the play is becoming offense vs offense
Pro basketball has become one huge political dias - nearly every "superstar" and most coaches are experts on so much with current events and add so little - just throw up the ball and play - I love watching these guys play but the other crap is making it difficult.
While college sports are slowly evolving into the same murky waters, there is still a sense of freshness every year. I can't imagine life without college hoops or (sorry) the EPL soccer
I think this pandemic has sharpened my opinions and lessened my desire to watch these pro leagues
But in the end, I'll be in front of the boob tube watching the big games

My thoughts exactly on the NBA. I’m very non-political and prefer politics to stay out of my life as much as possible. Nowadays to be an NBA superstar requires you to be a political activist, unless it’s speaking out against China that is.

 

[upstater]

I signed on with ESPN+ thi week so I could watch Serie A soccer which restarted, and yes I took in 2 games, so I will say no, it has not impacted my desire to watch sports. But I don't watch as much as most people anyway. I watch almost no NHL, NBA or MLB. I watch 16-32 regular season NFL games, and attend a few live. I watch 2 soccer games every weekend for 8 months. I watch 50 college basketball games. I watch 2 college football games. And then of course there is youth sports.

40 NFL games
80 Soccer games
50 College basketball (not including tourney)
2 College football games

This is the extent of my yearly sports watching.

 

[CL82]

Agree, but I've lost the anticipation of them returning.

It's weird, right? I thought that I would be jonesing way more than I am. I think that I've only watched one UConn game replay, too. I am surprised. I think that you are right though. Once everything starts up again, I'll be all in.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Absolutely don't miss them.

Realistically, outside of UConn football and men's basketball I really don't watch any sports end to end. It's more background noise. If something exciting happens and I miss it, I hit the rewind.

NFL playoffs, NBA conf finals and championships and NCAA Sweet 16 and beyond is really all I watch any more. I'll watch MLB if Sox are doing good- not a bandwagon fan but only watch if it's compelling.

 

[87Xfer]

As a lifelong Pats fan and a current resident of Colorado, I'm really looking forward to watching how the Pats' and Broncos' young QBs preform this season. The only other professional sports I pay any attention to are cycling (mainly the Spring Classics which will actually be Fall Classics this year), and Formula 1. Despite my love of college BB, I basically have zero interest in the NBA. And you couldn't pay me to watch an entire MLB game on TV. I can tolerate MLB games when I'm in the stadium.

 

[pepband99]

I think there is a strong correlation between pro sports interest, at present, and the lack of get-togethers. Once people start getting together en masse again, what else will we talk about?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Going a bit more broad, I see movies and indoor sports being two of the last areas to get back to "normal". Personally I feel much more safe going to an outdoor sporting event than an indoor.

My personal concern is right now this virus spreads when you have extended contact in larger groups indoors. So, you want to go to the GHO in a couple of weeks? I'd let a certain number of fans roam the course (I realize it isn't happening). Want to go to a yard goats game? You can figure out how to get 1500 in there safely. Want to go to an indoor movie? No way anytime soon for me.

I do think there is a great opportunity for pop up drive-in theaters. I've seen some examples around the country that work. Newer technology means you don't need the huge permanent frame for the screen. It's plenty portable nowadays. And, instead of drive up spots with speakers, it's either sent to your car radio or via bluetooth. Either way, any large parking lot or open area can fit in a few hundred cars with little overhead.