How the NFL and NBA Lost Me and What the NHL Can Do to Avoid the Same
May 12, 2009, by Homme De Sept-Iles
The problem with anything popular, powered or monied is that it attracts all the wrong people.
Politics attract power-mongers.
The racetrack attracts the sharks.
The music industry attracts charlatans.
And sports attracts all three.
Yes, there are elements of all the mentioned characters (sharks, charlatans and power-mongers) in differing ratios in all three areas mentioned. And those are just three arbitrary areas.
Here’s a brief rundown of some of the more nettlesome issues that come up with big money sports.
- shady politics
- corrupt owners
- rotted athletes
- covered-up rapes
- drug scandals
- point-shaving
- bought players
- bought refs
- a mainstream corporate message at every opportunity
- a flag-waving minstrel for the US military machine
I watched the NFL from 1980 to about 2004. Watched the NBA from about 1983 to about 2005. It was a slow divorce from both leagues. And many of the issues I mention were keys to leaving.
Sure those leagues are fine without me. But there are more me’s than just me. And if I tire of these shenanigans and goings-on, I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Anything big just gets bigger until it collapses of rot and corruption … or it streamlines itself, adapts and grows … do we have precedent for such smart actions in the history of big institutions?
I think they are rare. There are examples of number one falling some distance, dusting themselves off, figuring out what went wrong and then making the adjustments. But there is the almost inevitable decaying effect of the number one position that seems unavoidable… whether it is the Subway franchises journey from two to one and their subsequent decline in quality or whether it is a sporting league’s growing hubris as they struggle to put a spin on carrion truths … the impression is the same; creaking, leering arrogance and corruption are the inevitable truth, the final truth for all big business ventures.
Or is it?
I’m not sure. But here’s what the NHL can do to keep me around:
Change the culture
Get the focus on players from all over the world. Stop being so scared to promote players with “weird” European names. It’ll work. Fans will respect you for it. Stop kow-towing to the old guard. Their time is done. The new taxpayers want vibrant diversity and innovation. Give us what we want.
Stick to the rules
Get serious about playoff rules. Enforce them the same as in the regular season. Players and coaches will adjust. The quality of hockey will improve. The product will be more marketable.
Pay the coaches
How can these guys give orders and be taken seriously by players that are paid far more? Allow or encourage a coach’s union and start paying the men that lead the teams. And stop interviewing them during the games. They’re busy, alright? (NHL regulations require coaches to grant in-game interviews. The league has a say in how the media interacts with the players in this symbiotic relationship.) Step up.
Put the game ahead of profits
Instead of squeezing us for as many playoff games as you can and allowing things like Leaf TV and TSN2 and other pay-per-view traps, reduce the number of games, promote skill ahead of pugilism and create rules that make the game safer for the players. That’s who we’re paying to see. Implement a one-rink-at-a-time plan that sees the league increase its rink sizes. Each new rink should be international in size. In 35 years you should have all or most rinks up to the international level. The players are bigger and the game should accommodate this.
Increase the Integrity
Work to get more women involved with the sport. Give more back to the community. Have clear policies that prevent fans from being exploited by greedy “I’m moving unless you buy me an arena” owners. Establish an ombudsman. Be progressive. Be genuine. Be a company of the day and not of the bottom line.
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