Falcon Points
ESPN Poll says most fans favor sports with no fans. To the rest of you? Shame bell
May 7, 2020, 6:56 am
Photo by Getty Images.
So ESPN did a poll on how people feel about sports without fans. Shocker! Of those surveyed, 24 percent said no, they are against it.
Those 24 percent are what we respectfully call "dumbs." If the choice is no fans or no sports, there is no choice.
Like a lot of things in the Ronaverse, life has changed. What we consider "normal" has changed. How can anyone say they don't want sports even if fans can't attend?
The reality is, we would take what we can get. There is no perfect solution. We all want things to get back to normal as fast as possible. The problem is there is no normal anymore. And there may never be again.
Yes, the leagues will have to be safe, implement testing and all other sorts of precautions. But as fans, can we not root from TV just as hard as we do in person?
I get the need to be with people to support your team. I truly miss being in the stands for Roughneck games or UH football or basketball games. I would kill to get to see the Toronto Maple Leafs in person again or go to Regina for a Saskatchewan Rough Riders game. However, that is just not in the cards anytime soon.
But would I love to see those teams on TV? Absolutely. If we have learned anything from this mess, it is that sports is our ultimate escape. As fans, we can come together for a few hours to celebrate the wins, and vent about the horrible coaching decisions that led to losses. (Well, Texans fans can do that).
Sports might not be truly vital, but it is something that gives us a community. And as the world becomes more virtual, is it really that difficult to sit back and watch from a distance? Comment in real time on Twitter? Can we not still be a part of things?
No, it isn't perfect. But this stopped being a perfect world the day the leagues shut down. To that 24 percent, I simply believe you aren't really fans, or you are so paranoid that you believe no on should leave the house. Count me in the 76 percent; if it can be done safely, let's play games, with or without fans.
The world is changing. Let's change with it.
New direction for SportsMap
If you missed the on air announcement, Josh Jordan is now editor of SportsMap. He has been assistant editor as we have grown this site into an absolute monster. He will continue to take it to the next level. This allows me to write more, as well as focus on some new projects at Gow Media.
Josh is a sharp young man who has earned this opportunity and will do great things. I can think of no one better to take over a site we have put our hearts and souls into building. Thanks to everyone who has become part of the SportsMap community. Things only get bigger and better from here.
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Key stat
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