OT: Even the NFL is scrambling to fill seats....

[pap49cba]

From the WSJ

 

[alexrgct]

The NFL has a lot of the same problems with live attendance every other sport has, namely that the at-home experience has improved at a geometric rate just while the economy has been in an extended slide. NFL Sunday Ticket has existed for years on DirecTV, but with HD broadcasts, the proliferation of HDTVs, and enhanced features like Short Cuts, the product is better than ever. Meanwhile, one concession DirecTV made was to allow NFL to sell Red Zone Channel to other providers. That's really a great channel, a game changer. No commercials, just live action for six straight hours. So why would I shell out hundreds of dollars for the privilege of taking my family to a game when we can have more fun a home? I can watch any game in HD, flip to Red Zone Channel, drink beer that doesn't cost $10+, not have to deal with the gawd awful traffic in and out of Foxboro, not have to pay $45 to park, however much to eat, etc. It just doesn't add up.

 

[Wonkster]

.
What has changed the game is the phenomenal improvements and steadily dropping costs of super large HDTV sets. Everything else is secondary. Homemade popcorn has always tasted better.

Wake up, sports organizations - you've got real competition, so get off your lazy asses and figure out how to meet the challenge.

 

[RadyLady]

Also to consider - the amount of disposable income for most households has shrunk...the at-home experience is much easier on the wallet

 

[Waquoit]

I think it's more about ticket prices than better TV's.

 

[kibblesnbits]

I think it's more about ticket prices than better TV's.

I agree with this. I've got an excellent large screen TV, but there is nothing like the in-person experience for me.......but that experience isn't worth the $500+ I'd shell out to take the family to Foxboro or the Meadowlands.

 

[alexrgct]

I think it's more about ticket prices than better TV's.

It's both. I know a lot of people who wouldn't go to game even with free tickets. Myself included. The in-game experience is awful for families. Drunk people everywhere, long lines to bathroons, constant commercial breaks which just lead to dead time when you're watching live, terrible traffic coming and going, plus the game itself could easily suck.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Basketball is played in a controlled environment. NFL games in places like Arizona and Florida can be unpleasant in September, and Philly, New York, Cleveland, etc. can be downright nasty from Thanksgiving on. I think prices given the state of the economy are a big issue. The big screens are too. Yeah, you miss the atmosphere, but you see things much, much better. And the climate matters for many outdoor venues.