Has professional sports jumped the shark?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I can't imagine how you would draw this conclusion. Professional sports aren't going anywhere.

I think you need to re-read my post.

That is not my conclusion.

It is a restatement of the original question using the a paraphrased definition of jumping the shark.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I think you need to re-read my post.

That is not my conclusion.

It is a restatement of the original question using the a paraphrased definition of jumping the shark.

Point taken Grady Glad I know the reference because frankly, I did not know the exact origin of jumping the shark.

Your point now makes more sense.

[seand442]

I wouldn't categorize sports as having jumped the shark. At this moment, even the worst NFL game on TV will have more people watching it than virtually any other program. On the other hand, Major League Baseball is losing fans faster than it knows what to do. Without a doubt, athlete salaries are out of control. Very few teams can afford a contract like Stanton's and the Marlins aren't one of them. He will get unloaded sooner rather than later and you will see him in a Yankees or Dodgers jersey.

Owners are still paying players like the economy can't go wrong, and athletes are expecting to be paid the same. The big problem is that the middle class economy which is where the majority of the fans are can't afford to pay those prices in today's economy. Eventually, this will come back and bite the owners like Loria (who should be in jail) in the ass.

Sports is another avenue of entertainment for people. Just like movies and whatever other hobbies people have. People's tastes may change but pro sports will also change. Just follow the money.

[AzPaul]

Just read where here in the US, 28 of the 30 highest rated TV broadcasts this new season have been NFL games. (and one of the other two was Game 7 of the World Series) So in answer to the jumping the shark question, I'd give it a resounding 'no'.

As to the Stanton contract in particular . . . . The young man is very good, extremely popular with the kids and the ladies, and to this point anyway, has shown himself to be very community minded. So if you're going to make anyone the cornerstone of your franchise for the next decade, it seems you couldn't find a better fit. My guess is, the one thing that would have brought the Marlins even more criticism from all the armchair pundits would have been not signing him and allowing him to leave.

As to whether the money too much? I suppose it's all relative. A bit like asking if X amount of dollars too much to pay for a coveted watch.