Changing the Sports Landscape in 2023

Patrick: All right, team. So, with a lot of sports in a lull, so to speak—don’t know what’s going to go down—let’s talk about something that’s strongly on your mind for the upcoming year in regard to the sports landscape. So, not looking for any predictions or anything— unless you’re saying: Bulls win! Bulls win!—just a general sense of things. Who wants to kick it off?

Donald: I believe all teams— especially the Chicago Bears— need domes for their stadiums. There is simply no reason for any team to have to play a full game in minus-degree temperature. Absolutely no reason.

John: Right, because it obviously isn’t the cost that would be the reason.

Donald: Exactly. So, to me, it either shows non-empathy for those who have to play in this weather, for the fans, or, simply, someone who has no sense.

Russ: I never understood it. I mean, I realized some teams look to lean on that advantage. Of course, it’s a cold, sometimes very wet, advantage, but if a person can get used to poor weather, then it could be a useful weapon against incoming teams.

Patrick: I agree, Russ. I feel also that every team should have a dome. A retractable dome at the very least. This way, teams can still enjoy a warm and sunny day naturally. All right, what do you have, John?

John: Well, I’m torn between a few issues. However, the one that moves me the most is the one dealing with Monday Night Football. I want better games. The NFL needs to do a better job of scheduling good Monday Night Football matches. Mind you, the games are scheduled prior to the season, so anything could alter the level of the competitiveness of the two teams, including, simply, the records of the team.

Donald: What about some sort of system that, as the season progresses, the Monday night games are scheduled?

Russ: How would they do it, though? I mean, how would the ticket sales go? Would every team have a Thursday or Sunday night game scheduled, then as we move through the season, the league would move two of the teams over to Monday?

Patrick: That’s the only way it could be done, right? Not being pre-season set, though, could be tough. All right, let’s move on from this one. Russ, I’ve been watching you a lil’bit as we’ve gone on with these topics—what do you have?

Russ: You’ll love this one. Well, you’ll hate the contents, but love the conversation, I’m sure! All right, so, when did basketball players get to just take off games seemingly whenever they want? For example, just recently when the Dallas Mavericks visited our Chicago Bulls, perennial AllStar and MVP talent Luka Doncic didn’t play. Presumably resting, even though it was called a “strained right quadriceps.” The fans, of course, were pissed. Can any of y’all imagine attending a Bulls game against the New Orleans Pelicans with an overwhelming hope to see star Zion Williamson live— and, day of, y’all are told he’s not playing? $100 - $200 down on tickets…and the reason for you paying that amount is not on the court?

John: Yeah, I would be upset.

Donald: Never happened in the Jordan Era.

Russ: Agreed. The owners need to put a stop to it. The players are paid to play. The coaches are paid to coach. The owners get paid “owning.” I mean, c’mon, NBA. This is serious.

Patrick: It is. Good stuff, fellas.

Vendors Russell Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat about the world of sports with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Any comments or suggestions? Email pedwards@streetwise.org