Comments on: The Financial Golden Age of Sports 1996 – 2008 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2008/12/09/the-financial-golden-age-of-sports-1996-%e2%80%93-2008/ A Future Look at Today Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:06:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: SportsBiz http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2008/12/09/the-financial-golden-age-of-sports-1996-%e2%80%93-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-65298 SportsBiz Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:35:15 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/?p=279#comment-65298 David- While I generally agree with and have written about most of what you have said, the advent of the change may not be quite as quick as you have forecast. While the professional leagues have begun to lay off employees in anticipation of a difficult ticket sale environment in 2009, or 2008 in the case of the NHL, the TV rights sales have not so far reflected the new economic reality. As I'm sure you're aware the BCS just moved its five bowl games to ESPN for roughly $125 million a year for four years, a considerable increase. The British Open is doing the same, also for a considerable increase. How long ESPN can exploit its dual revenue stream to scoop up properties remains to be seen, but for now at least it intends to exploit that advantage as long as possible. David-
While I generally agree with and have written about most of what you have said, the advent of the change may not be quite as quick as you have forecast. While the professional leagues have begun to lay off employees in anticipation of a difficult ticket sale environment in 2009, or 2008 in the case of the NHL, the TV rights sales have not so far reflected the new economic reality.

As I’m sure you’re aware the BCS just moved its five bowl games to ESPN for roughly $125 million a year for four years, a considerable increase. The British Open is doing the same, also for a considerable increase. How long ESPN can exploit its dual revenue stream to scoop up properties remains to be seen, but for now at least it intends to exploit that advantage as long as possible.

]]> By: Caleb http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2008/12/09/the-financial-golden-age-of-sports-1996-%e2%80%93-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-65297 Caleb Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:21:06 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/?p=279#comment-65297 David - I like when your articles become ammunition for my friendly domestic arguments. I made a joke at a bar the other night that the NHL shouldn't be an economically viable league, simply because they don't have the same advertising and brand cache and television viewership draw that's been keeping the NFL in the green. My semi-Canadian girlfriend took umbrage to that, and we've been arguing about it ever since. While you don't talk about hockey specifically, at least I can use some of this for support. Thanks! David -

I like when your articles become ammunition for my friendly domestic arguments. I made a joke at a bar the other night that the NHL shouldn’t be an economically viable league, simply because they don’t have the same advertising and brand cache and television viewership draw that’s been keeping the NFL in the green. My semi-Canadian girlfriend took umbrage to that, and we’ve been arguing about it ever since. While you don’t talk about hockey specifically, at least I can use some of this for support. Thanks!

]]> By: MikeShatzkin http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2008/12/09/the-financial-golden-age-of-sports-1996-%e2%80%93-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-65296 MikeShatzkin Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:02:34 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/?p=279#comment-65296 David, This is a right-on and brilliant piece. It should be circulated far and wide. It is going to be particularly good for you because it will all start coming true on the bowl games this year and the upcoming baseball season. Here in NY, the Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Jets all have new stadium and hefty ticket hike propositions they are trying to put across. Their timing couldn't be worse. The Yankees have draw 4 million for at least the last two years. They'll sell out this year on momentum but, you're right, the tickets will be available day of game at a discount. And it will decline from there. David,
This is a right-on and brilliant piece. It should be circulated far and wide. It is going to be particularly good for you because it will all start coming true on the bowl games this year and the upcoming baseball season.
Here in NY, the Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Jets all have new stadium and hefty ticket hike propositions they are trying to put across. Their timing couldn’t be worse. The Yankees have draw 4 million for at least the last two years. They’ll sell out this year on momentum but, you’re right, the tickets will be available day of game at a discount. And it will decline from there.

]]> By: Mike Ridenhour http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/2008/12/09/the-financial-golden-age-of-sports-1996-%e2%80%93-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-65295 Mike Ridenhour Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:24:56 +0000 http://www.evolutionshift.com/blog/?p=279#comment-65295 I'll be very happy to see these trends unfold in professional sports. Ticket prices are way too high and athletes salaries make no sense. However at the college level your predictions concern me. With budgets tight, colleges need football and basketball ticket revenue to fund wrestling, tennis, soccer and a wide range other sports. I hope we will not college athletic programs shrink significantly. I’ll be very happy to see these trends unfold in professional sports. Ticket prices are way too high and athletes salaries make no sense.

However at the college level your predictions concern me. With budgets tight, colleges need football and basketball ticket revenue to fund wrestling, tennis, soccer and a wide range other sports. I hope we will not college athletic programs shrink significantly.

]]>