Re: Do Fans Give College and NFL Too Much Power?

Over the years the NFL has faced very little competition, with the only real challenge coming from the USFL in the 80's. I know we have had the XFL in the 90's, and the XFL / USFL reboots in the past few years, but I wouldn't say those had any great deal of success.

It's pretty obvious to me that the NFL and the associated teams are so engrained into the culture of the United States, that it doesn't really matter what they say, rules they implement, etc., people will still watch. Try telling someone from Philly that there's a new football team playing on Sunday not named the Eagles, and to watch them instead. We have also had significant population increases without any real expansion (sans a few teams) in the NFL, so more fans for the same amount of teams.

I think college football is the same way. So many people have had the love of a college team engrained in them for generations that it is worked into the overall culture.

It begs the question to me of could a "minor league for the NFL" ever exist that pays players the way the current NIL programs are? I say no, not without it including college teams, at least not in its current form. Because without the brands and fan bases associated with each college, who would watch? I like the game of football, but generally speaking people don't seek out athletic events without a team they are interested in routing for. This goes especially for minor league teams, like I don't watch minor league baseball, even though I watch the Braves.

All of that to say, it will be intersting to see if the NIL landscape drives fans away over time, I'm still on the fence. I know I pay less attention to college sports now, partly because of lessening player continuity, partly because I'm getting older. NIL money, and college football popularity as a whole, does not exist without the large fan bases. This process won't happen overnight though, it will be a slow decline (if it happens) over many years.

What says you Tigernet?

LakeNormanTiger

Standout [208]

TigerPulse: 100%

Posts: 386

Joined: 2000

Re: Your last full paragraph sums up my feelings.

Dec 30, 2024, 12:24 PM [ in reply to Your last full paragraph sums up my feelings. ]

I will chime in just because it is slow at work today.

I have lost interest in different aspects of college sports. But I think that is the circle of life. Over the past 20 years, I have gone from being single with a decent amount of disposable income and no "responsiblities", to being the major bread winner for a family of 4. With those changes, different demands have pulled on both "my time" and the disposable income. I just don't have the time to keep up and watch everything. So I try to balance that reality against the changes that have happened in College Sports. At least in regards to my interest level.

That said, one thing that I can definitely say is that I am 99% done with bowl games. It started with the ESPN documentary on the Fiesta Bowl about 10 years ago. And its only gotten worse with the price of tickets, and the environment regarding players opting out. Unless you are in the playoffs, the teams that are playing in December/ January are not the same teams that played during the fall. Its at best an exhibition. So when you couple that with the ridiculous price for tickets/ its just not worth it to me. And I am not interested in paying for someone else free party (which is what it has become for all the games). If I watched 1 hour of bowl game coverage combined this December, I would be extremely shocked.

In regards to NIL and players changing schools, It bugs me. I dont like it. But I understand why its happening. I dont participate now or plan to participate in the 110 Clemson Collective. I just dont think its "right" or sustainable. But other boosters participating in the NIL efforts have not kept me from watching Clemson play. So as much as I dont like the change, Its not kept me away. I think Clemson is still competitive. And as long as I have some friends showing up at our Tailgate spot or hopefully my kids going to Clemson, I can see myself being a season ticket owner and going to the games. I think the biggest detriment to that is the overall cost. With revenue sharing on the horizon there will be a surge in Ticket prices. I will likely try to pay for season tickets again, with the hope of reducing the cost by selling a portion of those tickets. If I can "Break Even" or get real close, I will stay the course. Hopefully in 10 years, my disposable income and time will return to pre kid levels and both will no longer be limiting factors.

Go Tigers.

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Do Fans Give College and NFL Too Much Power?