http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joey-spitz...86366.html

 

 

Good read. Raises some very interesting questions, and theories, as to baseball's steady decline in popularity.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joey-spitz...86366.html

 

 

Good read. Raises some very interesting questions, and theories, as to baseball's steady decline in popularity.

 

 

IMO, part of baseball's steady decline in popularity has to do with big market teams constantly owning the league and having all the success. WHen markets like Pittsburgh & Kansas City have to go several decades between legit world series chances, and the NY & Boston markets have that basically every year, then you have a problem with your sport. 

 

If football continues the way its going, it will be following in baseball's footsteps. 

 

The NFL, despite measures put in to help create a level playing field, big market teams still rule...and don't let it fool you - the NFL wants it this way....its no "coincidence" that the Jaguars never get good air time by the networks and coverage - they save that for the big market moneymaking teams. 

 

There's no real "parity". 

 

The only reason small markets like Pittsburgh and Green Bay are tolerated/ endorsed even is because those teams have built up such a following. If those markets had teams like the Jags without the "history" and fanfare,,,,they'd be getting similar treatment, too. 

 

Its all corrupt. All about greedy moneeeeeeeey, and pulling the wool over the peoples eyes to give the guise of "parity" when there really is none. 

 

The NFL at one time - under the Rozelle leadership and many of the old-guard owners DID care about parity because they saw the bigger picture and parity helped elevate the sport to the height it has reached.....but now, all the new-guard cares about is the short sighted bottom line and big markets. The NFL will follow the same path as baseball in time if this continues, mark my words. 

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The NFL, despite measures put in to help create a level playing field, big market teams still rule...and don't let it fool you - the NFL wants it this way....its no "coincidence" that the Jaguars never get good air time by the networks and coverage - they save that for the big market moneymaking teams. 

 

There's no real "parity". 

 

The only reason small markets like Pittsburgh and Green Bay are tolerated/ endorsed even is because those teams have built up such a following. If those markets had teams like the Jags without the "history" and fanfare,,,,they'd be getting similar treatment, too. 

 

You say some of the dumbest things.

 

Which big market teams that don't have a storied history, get special treatment from the networks because they are a big market? Start naming these teams/cities you are talking about.

 

Ever think that maybe the teams that are winning get the attention? Seattle is a perfect example, remember when the Rams were good?

 

You are doing nothing more than making statements about your perception, and pick two teams from small markets that are popular as examples. Let's see how many games Pittsburgh plays in primetime next season if they don't turn it around this year.

 

Broncos, Redskins, Falcons, 49ers, Giants, Patriots all have 5 primetime games this season because of their success last season. ... I thought you knew how these things worked. I thought wrong. :yes:

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IMO, part of baseball's steady decline in popularity has to do with big market teams constantly owning the league and having all the success. WHen markets like Pittsburgh & Kansas City have to go several decades between legit world series chances, and the NY & Boston markets have that basically every year, then you have a problem with your sport. 

 

If football continues the way its going, it will be following in baseball's footsteps. 

 

The NFL, despite measures put in to help create a level playing field, big market teams still rule...and don't let it fool you - the NFL wants it this way....its no "coincidence" that the Jaguars never get good air time by the networks and coverage - they save that for the big market moneymaking teams. 

 

There's no real "parity". 

 

The only reason small markets like Pittsburgh and Green Bay are tolerated/ endorsed even is because those teams have built up such a following. If those markets had teams like the Jags without the "history" and fanfare,,,,they'd be getting similar treatment, too. 

 

Its all corrupt. All about greedy moneeeeeeeey, and pulling the wool over the peoples eyes to give the guise of "parity" when there really is none. 

 

The NFL at one time - under the Rozelle leadership and many of the old-guard owners DID care about parity because they saw the bigger picture and parity helped elevate the sport to the height it has reached.....but now, all the new-guard cares about is the short sighted bottom line and big markets. The NFL will follow the same path as baseball in time if this continues, mark my words. 

As a Sox fan, even I have to agree with you. Many people seem to forget that behind all of the glamour, glory, and excitement of all these games, behind closed doors the leagues can care less about you, or your team as long as you can fill their pockets. If the Jags were to suddenly disappear as a franchise tomorrow, everyone outside of the Jacksonville/Orlando/Duval radius could care less about the Jaguars. I have to say that looking back on it, I would have said in 1993 that putting a team in Jacksonville from a business/marketing standpoint was a huge mistake. Florida already had 2 football teams in the Bucs and Fins, and Jacksonville has historically been a College Football town. And from what I've heard, prior to the expansion in 1993, most NFL fans in Jacksonville were Cowboys/Oilers fans.

 

 

Of course though, the league needs to have some losing/down on their luck teams, in order to promote the big market franchises. We can easily see that today with constant air times for the Cowboys, Giants, Jets, Patriots, Chargers, Redskins, Eagles, Seahawks, 49ers, and Broncos. Speaking of which...can anyone tell me the last time the Cowboys went one whole season without a single primetime game? Exactly, that's my point.

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I've never followed Baseball, just wasn't something I got into as a kid and never picked it up.

 

Both my parents being immigrants might have something to do with that? Honestly if it was for living in St. Augustine when the Jaguars came to Jacksonville as a Kid I'd probably have never falled into football the way I have.

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Baseball is declining because it's slow and low scoring.

 

And old.

 

It's never been my thing, and I'm glad we're done with it for another year.

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Baseball is declining because it's slow and low scoring.

 

And old.

 

It's never been my thing, and I'm glad we're done with it for another year.

they need to stop trying to clean out steroids and instead just force them onto players... this may at least make it more interesting 

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Baseball is declining because it's slow and low scoring.

 

And old.

 

It's never been my thing, and I'm glad we're done with it for another year.

This!!




I'd rather watch paint dry!!!!

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What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

IMO, part of baseball's steady decline in popularity has to do with big market teams constantly owning the league and having all the success. WHen markets like Pittsburgh & Kansas City have to go several decades between legit world series chances, and the NY & Boston markets have that basically every year, then you have a problem with your sport. 

 

If football continues the way its going, it will be following in baseball's footsteps. 

 

The NFL, despite measures put in to help create a level playing field, big market teams still rule...and don't let it fool you - the NFL wants it this way....its no "coincidence" that the Jaguars never get good air time by the networks and coverage - they save that for the big market moneymaking teams. 

 

There's no real "parity". 

 

The only reason small markets like Pittsburgh and Green Bay are tolerated/ endorsed even is because those teams have built up such a following. If those markets had teams like the Jags without the "history" and fanfare,,,,they'd be getting similar treatment, too. 

 

Its all corrupt. All about greedy moneeeeeeeey, and pulling the wool over the peoples eyes to give the guise of "parity" when there really is none. 

 

The NFL at one time - under the Rozelle leadership and many of the old-guard owners DID care about parity because they saw the bigger picture and parity helped elevate the sport to the height it has reached.....but now, all the new-guard cares about is the short sighted bottom line and big markets. The NFL will follow the same path as baseball in time if this continues, mark my words. 

The Pirates would have been more competitive in the 20 year drought, but the owner went the cheap route as far as roster goes. Any time someone developed he was traded so that they didn't have to pay him a big contract. As soon as the new ownership was put in place 2 years back, things changed quick.

 

Small market teams have figured it out. TB has mastered it. It can be done very successfully. Take a look at the Yankees. Steinbrenner Sr. was all about winning and spent his money to do it. His sons are not that way. They'd rather make a buck, and it shows on the field.

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TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

I have to say that looking back on it, I would have said in 1993 that putting a team in Jacksonville from a business/marketing standpoint was a huge mistake. Florida already had 2 football teams in the Bucs and Fins, and Jacksonville has historically been a College Football town. And from what I've heard, prior to the expansion in 1993, most NFL fans in Jacksonville were Cowboys/Oilers fans.

 


<div>
Trust me, The Jaguars win, and win consistently you will witness an entirely different media, jagswilldestroyyou

 

Pre-Manning, the Colts were like Media Herpes, no one wanted to cover them unless it was from 100 feet away. Elway & Cornelius Bennett risked not even playing in the NFL as Colts first round picks, just to play somewhere else. Elway threatened to play Baseball, and Bennett priced himself out of Indy to play for the Bills. The Colts were a sorry team, and the media, and national media beat them out behind the woodshed weekly.

 

<span>The Jaguars Win, and they will come. Supply/Demand. The Jaguars aren't in demand at this time. Manning brought the demand to the Colts organization, and maybe Bridgewater will do that for Jacksonville. Don't fall into the gutter of doubt that winning doesn't fix all that ails an NFL franchise.</span>

 

<span>Think about teams like the Bucs, Raiders, Saints ... so on .. You know it has more to do with success building the team than it does the media? It does.</span>


</div>

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<div>
<div>
Trust me, The Jaguars win, and win consistently you will witness an entirely different media, jagswilldestroyyou

 

Pre-Manning, the Colts were like Media Herpes, no one wanted to cover them unless it was from 100 feet away. Elway & Cornelius Bennett risked not even playing in the NFL as Colts first round picks, just to play somewhere else. Elway threatened to play Baseball, and Bennett priced himself out of Indy to play for the Bills. The Colts were a sorry team, and the media, and national media beat them out behind the woodshed weekly.

 

<span>The Jaguars Win, and they will come. Supply/Demand. The Jaguars aren't in demand at this time. Manning brought the demand to the Colts organization, and maybe Bridgewater will do that for Jacksonville. Don't fall into the gutter of doubt that winning doesn't fix all that ails an NFL franchise.</span>

 

<span>Think about teams like the Bucs, Raiders, Saints ... so on .. You know it has more to do with success building the team than it does the media? It does.</span>


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</div>

Amen

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TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

Nothing centers my soul more than a cold beer and a baseball game.  That's why I love going to Suns games.  A nice sultry Florida night, a good game at The Baseball Grounds, and cold Yuengling drafts.  All is well.

---

 

<div>
<div>
Trust me, The Jaguars win, and win consistently you will witness an entirely different media, jagswilldestroyyou

 

Pre-Manning, the Colts were like Media Herpes, no one wanted to cover them unless it was from 100 feet away. Elway & Cornelius Bennett risked not even playing in the NFL as Colts first round picks, just to play somewhere else. Elway threatened to play Baseball, and Bennett priced himself out of Indy to play for the Bills. The Colts were a sorry team, and the media, and national media beat them out behind the woodshed weekly.

 

The Jaguars Win, and they will come. Supply/Demand. The Jaguars aren't in demand at this time. Manning brought the demand to the Colts organization, and maybe Bridgewater will do that for Jacksonville. Don't fall into the gutter of doubt that winning doesn't fix all that ails an NFL franchise.

 

Think about teams like the Bucs, Raiders, Saints ... so on .. You know it has more to do with success building the team than it does the media? It does.


</div>
 

</div>

Thanks for the encouragement Sammy But I still think that even when the Jags finally do break this playoff drought, they'll still be viewed as a second rate team along with the Bears, Lions, and Bengals. I remember during those fairly bright years between 2003-2007, the media still barely covered Jacksonville, despite 4 consecutive non-losing seasons and two playoff births. Everyone might have thought that the Jags had a shot at making it to the Superbowl in 2008, but I'm sure that there were some media executives who were crossing their fingers that Jacksonville wouldn't make it. They got their prayers answered though, in a big way.

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I think there are multiple factors.

 

One is the changest deomgraphics of baseball. In the 50's through the 90's, there large number of baseball stars that were black. Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Ken Griffey, Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas just to name a few. Nowadays, you just don't see many young black baseball players. Most of them play basketball and football exclusively. Which is another problem. Because also happening now is alot of young athletes are focusing on one sport only. Most are not choosing baseball.

 

Baseball is also a regional sport. Teams make huge money on their regional sports deals. A team like the Texas Rangers gets good TV ratings in their local market. Same with the Tigers. But do many people outside of those markets want to watch?

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Baseball is declining because it's slow and low scoring.

 

 

There's a LOT more scoring in baseball than in hockey and soccer. 

 

Nothing centers my soul more than a cold beer and a baseball game.  

 

Oh yeah. Absolutely. I drove up to orlando to see the Marlins play the Braves in spring training so I could a Disney/Baseball day, having a beer and sitting in the sun. 

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Live long and prosper \\// 

I loved Baseball growing up, played Baseball for a lot of years. I was a huge Reds fan, as they were locally advertised/broadcast in Indianapolis. (The Big Red Machine)

 

Now, I rarely even pause on a game while channel surfing, yet alone go to a game. I do understand the nuances, and exciting aspect of baseball as a competitive sport, but still can't seem to have the time to enjoy it any longer.

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<div>
<div>
Trust me, The Jaguars win, and win consistently you will witness an entirely different media, jagswilldestroyyou

 


</div>
 

</div>

 

The Jags were consistent winners from 1996-1999 and still didn't get much airtime via the media. ESPN and other highlight shows would largely ignore their game and not spend much time on their highlights. 

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Nothing centers my soul more than a cold beer and a baseball game.  That's why I love going to Suns games.  A nice sultry Florida night, a good game at The Baseball Grounds, and cold Yuengling drafts.  All is well.

 

I agree. Baseball is the perfect summer sport. 

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There's a LOT more scoring in baseball than in hockey and soccer. 

 

 

 

Soccer...lol.....how anyone can bash baseball for being boring and then claim to be a SOCCER fan?!?!?....rofl....

 

IMO, most soccer fans born in the USA are largely phony anyway. 

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The Jags were consistent winners from 1996-1999 and still didn't get much airtime via the media. ESPN and other highlight shows would largely ignore their game and not spend much time on their highlights. 

 

You are wrong.  The Jaguars were all over the place those years, especially 98/99. 

 

I agree for the most part with a lot of what you say.  Teams like NY Giants/Dallas can be terrible and they will still spend a ton of time on them discussing why they are bad or what they need to turn it around.

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