{"id":19762,"date":"2020-10-29T09:55:39","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T09:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/?p=19762"},"modified":"2020-10-29T10:00:16","modified_gmt":"2020-10-29T10:00:16","slug":"north-american-sports-will-return-but-will-the-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/north-american-sports-will-return-but-will-the-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"North American sports will return, but will the fans?"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"WithCaption-container-Aau3d WithCaption-outside-2Jvzs\"><figcaption>FILE PHOTO: Mar 26, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; View of an empty Dodger Stadium on what was scheduled to be opening day against the San Francisco Giants The game was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">The pandemic caught the sports world by surprise but after the NBA suspended its season on March 11, leagues around the world followed suit, culminating in the unprecedented postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games for a year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">How fans respond when the gates reopen &#8212; and it\u2019s anyone\u2019s guess how long that will be &#8212; depends on how this unique crisis is perceived, experts said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">After the leagues halted play following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, sports fans, many fueled by a new sense of patriotism, surged back into the stands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">The 1948 Olympics in London were pared down but still a success as fans celebrated the first Games in 12 years following the end of World War II.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">But the coronavirus is a different kind of crisis, one where the patriotic thing to do right now is stay home and fans may not be so eager to sit next to strangers again so quickly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">One problem is the very nature of live sports can contribute to the pandemic. For instance, a Champions League soccer match in Milan in February between Atalanta and Valencia likely helped fuel the spread of the virus in hard-hit Italy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cIn the past we\u2019ve celebrated sports as a great return to normal,\u201d said Victor Matheson, a specialist in sports economics at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cI think it will be a much more muted atmosphere (this time) because you\u2019re going to be looking at that person in the seat next to you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cThat will be problematic until we get an all clear.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AdSlot__container___2BqUD ArticleBody-ad-slot-83sCj\" data-creative-type=\"fluid\">\n<p class=\"TextLabel__text-label___3oCVw TextLabel__gray___1V4fk TextLabel__small-all-caps-spaced-out___3O9H4 AdSlot__label___15AMV\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n<div id=\"inline_canvas\" class=\"AdSlot__creative___aEugP\" data-google-query-id=\"CIv1s4TE2ewCFdU_AQodPYAIqw\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_2__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_2\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_2\" width=\"703\" height=\"452\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" data-google-container-id=\"5\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cThat first game back, I think will be a little bit nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">On the other hand, the pent-up passion of fans to cheer on their favorite teams could win out, said Bob Dorfman, a sports marketing pundit with Baker Street Advertising in San Francisco.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cAbsence makes the heart grow fonder and, assuming the world returns to some semblance of normalcy, I expect fans to have a greater appreciation of sports than ever before,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cAttending live events will take on extra significance, the enthusiasm and fervor in stadiums and areas will be more intense, the passion for favorite teams and players heightened.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"Headline-headline-2FXIq Headline-black-OogpV ArticleBody-heading-3h695\">CASH-STRAPPED<\/h2>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">Another issue teams will have to grapple with is the changed economic landscape.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">A record 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment last week and the amount of discretionary income the public has to spend on live sports, already an expensive excursion, will be greatly diminished.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">Dorfman expects teams to be sensitive to their patrons\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cI think leagues and franchise owners will show greater appreciation for their fans, with more affordable tickets, lower-priced concessions, free or discounted parking, more free giveaways and special promotions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AdSlot__container___2BqUD ArticleBody-ad-slot-83sCj\" data-creative-type=\"fluid\">\n<p class=\"TextLabel__text-label___3oCVw TextLabel__gray___1V4fk TextLabel__small-all-caps-spaced-out___3O9H4 AdSlot__label___15AMV\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n<div id=\"mpu_native\" class=\"AdSlot__creative___aEugP\" data-google-query-id=\"CKyJuYXE2ewCFRWuAQodx0UMpA\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_3__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_3\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_3\" width=\"703\" height=\"452\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" data-google-container-id=\"7\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cFan Appreciation Day will become Fan Appreciation Season. The economic repercussions of this pandemic could last quite a while, and fans with less disposable income mustn\u2019t be ignored.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">A lot depends on the type of economic setback that lies ahead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">If it\u2019s V-shaped, where stalled economic activity bounces back quickly after the immediate crisis passes, leagues and fans may be able to return to normal relatively quickly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">But if it\u2019s a longer, U-shaped recession, the economic pain could carry on for years and have a more lasting impact, Matheson said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">It could especially hurt the backers of new, multi-billion NFL stadiums like the ones set to open in Los Angles and Las Vegas next season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cEveryone is hoping that we will be able to pick things back up right where we left off,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cI don\u2019t know that any economist has a good answer for that right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"Headline-headline-2FXIq Headline-black-OogpV ArticleBody-heading-3h695\">BEST SEAT<\/h2>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">Live sports were already facing competition from the rapidly improving home viewing experience and the coronavirus pandemic could hasten the move from the coliseum to the couch, Matheson said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AdSlot__container___2BqUD ArticleBody-ad-slot-83sCj\" data-creative-type=\"fluid\">\n<p class=\"TextLabel__text-label___3oCVw TextLabel__gray___1V4fk TextLabel__small-all-caps-spaced-out___3O9H4 AdSlot__label___15AMV\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n<div id=\"flex\" class=\"AdSlot__creative___aEugP\" data-google-query-id=\"CNei4ofE2ewCFQxLAQodTpkIXw\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_4__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_4\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/4735792\/reuters.com\/lifestyle\/sports\/article_4\" width=\"703\" height=\"452\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" data-google-container-id=\"9\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cSports face a long-term problem in that people\u2019s living rooms have simply gotten to be too good a place to watch sports,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cIn a world where you can buy a 65-inch TV with ultra high definition for the price of one family outing to an NFL game, that\u2019s a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">To be sure, the most popular leagues and franchises make the majority of their money licensing their games to broadcasters, not by selling tickets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">For example the NCAA\u2019s annual March Madness college basketball tournament, another event that was canceled due to the coronavirus, rakes in nearly a billion dollars from its telecast and less than $100 million from ticket sales.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cI think we\u2019ll continue this trend of moving away from the live venues and towards the home theater,\u201d Matheson said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cSports has a long-term problem that could be accelerated by this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">Dorfman said the residual reluctance of some fans to gather in large crowds will lead leagues, teams and networks to make the home viewing experience better than ever.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cI expect we\u2019ll see better cameras, more viewing choices, more players and managers mic\u2019d up, more streaming opportunities, more social media access,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-paragraph-2Bgue ArticleBody-para-TD_9x\">\u201cFans will need to feel closer to the players, action and live experience, even as they might prefer to stay more isolated.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Attribution-attribution-Y5JpY\">\n<p>Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken Ferris<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"TrustBadge-trust-badge-20GM8\">\n<p>Our Standards:\u00a0The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>To subscribe<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"rtl\"><strong>\u0644\u0644\u0622\u0634\u062a\u0631\u0627\u0643..<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h5><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"tie-appear\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ommahwahda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/9b266368-848e-475a-a9e8-0fca3cbf38da-9.jpeg\" width=\"110\" height=\"46\" \/><\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/06ddfd00-1900-435f-995f-2167ca65b8e6-17.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19596 tie-appear\" src=\"http:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/06ddfd00-1900-435f-995f-2167ca65b8e6-17-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Fava5Ifru8330dDMfhs0gn\">https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Fava5Ifru8330dDMfhs0gn<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/wilayahh\">t.me\/wilayahh<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FILE PHOTO: Mar 26, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; View of an empty Dodger Stadium on what was scheduled to be opening day against the San Francisco Giants The game was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports The pandemic caught the sports world by surprise but after the NBA &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":19763,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[1483,1482,1480,1481],"class_list":["post-19762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-world-news","tag-no_to_trump_deal","tag-purposeful_lectures","tag-stay_at_home_to_be_safe","tag-the_zionist_mice-army"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19762"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19764,"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19762\/revisions\/19764"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilayah.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}