The following post was provided by Jeremy Crowley:
Have you gone to a professional game in the last year? Attending sporting events has been seen as a luxury since the games are usually on TV, so why go to the games? Sports are an integral part of our society as we have seen in this class and throughout our lives. Many people cherish their sports or sport teams so it would seem that the sports industry would be recession proof. However, recent figures regarding the biggest sporting event in America, Super Bowl, has shown a different story. Here is a short article relating sports to the recession http://blogs.barrons.com/stockstowatchtoday/2009/01/28/are-sports-recession-proof-not-judging-by-super-bowl-festivities/. Discuss sports as being recession proof or not? Use your own experiences to explain why people are continuing to attend games or stop attending?
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I thought it was interesting how the article pointed out that corporate entities like Octagon pared back Super Bowl parties, not because they were struggling financially in the recession, but because they thought it would look bad if they had a big party. They knew that their bottom line was at least in part tied to perceptions.
ReplyDeleteContrast that to the average individual's experience. Ticket prices are higher than ever when individuals are struggling financially. Choosing to go to an event in these times has almost become a luxury. I've been to a few Twins games this year and there's no doubt that I think about the cost (I've paid between $35-50 per ticket) to take my family versus what it used to cost to go to the Metrodome ($10-15 per ticket). For us, going to a game has become a much bigger deal than it was before the recession.
The rise of ticket prices has made it nearly impossible for the average American to attend professional games. And if professional games aren't enough, even college games have become ridiculous. I did my undergrad at the U of M, and I got lucky to get season hockey tickets each year, which I paid $180 or so for. Regardless of that, most tickets were set aside for families and community members rather than students (who should be the main priority!). This just goes to show that people with the money control sports, the same thing we have been discussing in this class.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, going to professional games has become a luxury, and with the latest technology, more and more people can have 'real life' game footage right inside their homes. Although I love attending games because of the fun atmosphere and good food; when I work two jobs and am worrying about graduate school, ect I don't really want to spend money on game tickets.
I can agree with you guys and say that we have taken professional games for granite. I remember when I use to go to Atlanta Braves games for seven dollars. Until the recession the prices were outrages. I was able to get tickets to the game and the Coca cola factory for 20 bucks which did save me about 20 dollars. the experience of getting a cold coke and a foot long hot dog on a summer day has lost its touch which is sad.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to a professional sporting event for a couple of years now. Anyone who is involved in a business will tell you nothing is recession proof. In the case of sports, everyone is making more money (coaches, players, owners, and tv) than they have in pre tv boom era but this all comes at a price. For the average fan it has gotten too expensive to load a family of four up and go to a game. When I was younger I can remember going to twins, vikings, and timberwolves games and having the time of my life. You could get a ticket for ten to tweny dollars and now you have to pay ten to twenty dollars to watch some high school state tournaments. Unfortunately, with the economy going into a recession the average fan does not have the extra money to go to a sporting event. Its just too expensive for them. Watching a game in person at a stadium has almost become a luxury to individuals who are rich and can afford it. The average American has to worry about paying all their bills first and when all the bills are paid there isn't much money left for things like watching professional sports in person.
ReplyDeleteA couple weeks ago I went to the Los Angeles Dodgers game and I purchased two ticket for $11 bucks each, bought two beer for $12 bucks each. (I am at a dodgers game I got to have a nice cold beer, right?)
ReplyDeleteTo answer question, professional game are recession proof. For individuals that want to catch a game without buying all of the extra stuff ( beer, soda, hot-dogs and more) still can go it without it breaking their pockets.
I agree with Coach Thomas that professional sports are recession proof. Look at all of the champship games for the major sports in America (basketball, football, hockey, and baseball). All of these games are sold out and the tickets are ridiculously priced, but people still go. I just went to a Twins game and you see thousands of people buying beer, at 7 dollars a pop. These people might complain a little bit at the price, but still buy it because they want to enjoy their experience. The increased prices might deter people the lower economic status from attending the games, but professional teams are still going to sell out, despite of the recession.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that sports are recession proof. While they may experience downturns, many find ways to cope with these downturns. Often this is at the price of consumers. The prices of tickets to professional, college, high school and youth sporting events have increased significantly. This is also true of the fees and equipment necessary to participate. However, I believe sports remain successful because of the value we place on them. We view participating in or attending a sporting event as a sign that we are successful in life. I believe people are willing to cut back on other expenses in order to attend a professional game or allow their child to play. They want to be able to say “I attended game 7 of the World Series” or “I was at Garza’s no hitter” because of the status they will obtain from having done so. It is a way of saying “I am not affected by the recession; I can still attend sporting events even if I cannot afford health insurance.”
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the comments that sports are recession proof. Besides the status that we want from them, I think people get a sense of a stress reliever when being at a sporting event, watching and not worrying about anything else. I do think that players and coaches get paid way to much and that ticket prices as well as concession prices are much too high, but people will pay. There will always be people willing to pay. Sports are people's outlets. They will find a way to make it work in their budgets.
ReplyDeleteI thing sports are recession proof to a point. Sports can resist recession for longer tan most other businesses but there is a breaking point. That breaking point has not yet happend in the current recession and I don't think it will.
ReplyDeleteThe Twins and Target Field are especially not seeing and signs of recession because of the new stadium effect. Ticket Sales, F&B and merch sales are almost always higher in the first year of a new stadium. People want to get the "full" experience for the first time and will pay to do so.
As most have said, it seems as though sports are recession proof. While the economy may be down, ticket prices are not. People are still going to games, maybe not as frequently now as in the past as Cy has said, but they are still going. People are now spending less money on other things, but are still spending the money to enjoy a professional or collegiate sporting event.
ReplyDeleteLike Coach Thomas said, most people can enjoy a game and not "break the bank." I know that when I go to a game I don't "NEED" anything and rarely do I spend money at the game. If I want sunflower seeds or something, I'll buy a pack and stick 'em in my pocket and enjoy my $1 package from the Holiday Station rather than the same package from the stadium at $4.50. My friends have even went so far as to buy tiny liquor bottles and stick them in their cargo pants, buy the soda at the stadium, and mix their own drinks rather than pay out the wazoo for a Captain and Cola at the game. Is it stealing from the stadium, maybe. In my mind it's more being smarter than anything else. Some people can't or sometimes just don't want to pay the "out of this world" prices at the stadium.
For the most part sports are recession proof. People are going to go and enjoy games. For me, nothing beats watching outdoor baseball. I'll pay the $20 to sit in the nosebleeds. But then again, I don't really care where I sit as long I get to be there.
I think that everyone will continue to watch sports. The difference is the people who have a desire to attend the game, pay for parking and food to experience it in real life and those who will watch the game on a big screen T.V at Buffalo Wild Wings where they can get a beer and food near home.
ReplyDeleteSporting events is something that is going to survive throughout the recession. Entertainment and sports will always draw in crowds bacause of the deep rooted loyalty that fans have with their teams.
So far sports have proven to be recession proof. We live in a country that loves sports. I think professional sports do a good job of making the games a whole social experience. Sports are so interwoven into our everyday life that it is one of the things that is able to survive the recession. Professional sports do a good job of marketing their games and it appeals to a wide range of people. They keep raising prices and people keep buying the tickets. So as long as that continues professional sports will be alright.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned in a previous blog, "The rich get richer..."
ReplyDeleteEven through the recession, professional sport complexes continue to upgrade, prices continue to increase, and arenas CONTINUE to get money. They are able to do this because people are willing to pay. Whether its the high rollers buying out season tickets or JOE SCHMOE winning tickets on the radio, seats are getting filled and hot dogs and beer are getting bought.
Agreed again, why would stadiums stop raising the cost of tickets and other services when its proven that people will pay the money for them. It's a business, just like any other, and as bad as it sounds, money...and lots of it, is the main focus.
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