Sports fans are the lifeblood of professional sports, and yet they are taken for granted. Oh sure, teams play lip service to the fans. They have fan appreciation days at the end of the season and somebody wins a car paid for by a sponsor. The truth is, however, that nobody really represents the interests of the ordinary sports fan. It's becoming more and more difficult to attend a game for everyday fans, With sky-high ticket prices and the outrageous cost of refreshments, the cost of attending a professional sports event is becoming less and less affordable with each passing day.
It turns out that ordinary sports fans are also being asked to dole out more money to watch sports on television. More and more games are now only available on streaming services. That is the trend. and it is pure, unadulterated greed on the part of owners, players and agents. No professional athlete would dare suggest ticket prices are too high or that athletes make too much money. He or she would be spurned for spouting such heresy.
Major League Baseball used to be one of the most affordable professional sports. Sadly, those days are long gone. Juan Soto has just signed a 15-year contact with the New York Mets for $765 million U.S. On December 11, 2023, Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani signed a ten-year $700 million U.S. contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I'm not saying they shouldn't be paid well, but those are obscene amounts of money in a world where there is so much need. It won't be long before a professional player signs the first billion dollar contract.
I know! I know! I get it! Sports is a business. But shouldn't tit be about be more than? I'm not saying that players and owners and agents shouldn't make money. I'm just saying that more consideration should be given to the welfare of the fane and the integrity of the games. Why should attending a game be out of reach financially for so many people?
- Joanne
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