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President Kennedy - 10-16-17
10-16-17
10-16-17
President John F. Kennedy
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
North Bay wildfires

Andy Dolich -- 2015
Andy Dolich
 
Sports Not Immune To Life's Obstacles

By Andy Dolich

On Sunday, November 24, 1963 the NFL decided to play a full slate of games two days after President John F. Kennedy was gunned down in Dallas. As the traumatized country was dealing with questions that couldn't be answered, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle stated: "It has been traditional in sports for athletes to perform in times of great personal tragedy. That decision has been the subject of emotional debate every time there is a national tragedy and the sports world has to decide whether to play games or not."

The inexplicable horrific violence in Las Vegas, Orlando, Blacksburg, Newtown and too many other communities stops us in our tracks and forces a national re-examination of what public places are considered safe havens in our daily lives. Sports has been cited as a healing agent for our fears, emotional pain, loss of life, angst and even a cleaning agent for the Fog of War. Games often seem to be an acceptable security blanket when we don't know where to turn for solace as a larger community.

Will there ever be a circumstance that takes sports away from us for an extended period of time? Can there be a "Depression" in sports?

The threats to spectator sports, as we know it, are very real:

Terrorism: Most sports venues have ramped up their security protocols over the past few years. At most live events fans have to pass through WTMDs (Walk-through Metal Detectors). No matter how vigilant officials may be, a madman bent on violence is always a possibility. On the evening of September 11, 2001 the New York Yankees were scheduled to play a home game against the Chicago White Sox. What if the terrorists were thinking of an outdoor sports venue instead of the Twin Towers?

Natural Disaster: As we have seen this summer, it's not nice to fool with Mother Nature. The ongoing massive San Francisco North Bay wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and Hundred Year floods seem to be occurring every month all across our country. On October 17, 1989 the Loma Prieta earthquake interrupted Game 3 of the Bay Bridge Series, killing 62, causing massive damage and creating a 10-day interruption until the region was ready to play ball. This was the first live, natural disaster broadcast during a sports event. It won't be the last.

Looking Down: More fans are spending more time working their thumbs on digital devices with little interaction with players, games or fans around them. Are we heading into the age of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Avatar Leagues without actual players? Take a look around the next time you are at a sports event and track where people's eyes and attention are directed.

Concussions: Traumatic brain injury in contact sports, especially football, is changing the dynamics of the players' pool on fields throughout the country. The NFL, like boxing, is aware of the health risks associated with repetitive blows to the brain, producing concussive results. With $28 billion dollars in guaranteed TV contracts, the NFL, TV Network partners, corporate sponsors, players and those who run college and high school football are following the daily stories on long-term cognitive damage and worse. Youth football leagues are seeing fewer players signing up.

The Economy: The Great Depression of 1929-33 and the Great Recession of 2007-09 caused a shrinkage of disposable income, which is the lifeblood of spectator sports. As strong as the economy is today, tomorrow can bring unexpected change.

Contagion: Influenza, SARS, Malaria, West Nile virus, E-coli or some other form of natural nastiness could force governments to regulate the size of public gatherings. Sooner or later the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) will run into a flu they won't be able to control.

War On Our Home Turf: Little Rocketman clearly isn't listening to his advisor, Dennis Rodman, when it comes to global diplomacy.

I am not attempting to channel Nostradamus. It is important to remember that sports is not impervious to the stark reality that is playing out in our everyday lives.

Andy Dolich, President, Dolich Consulting -- Dolich has held executive positions in the NFL (San Francisco 49ers), NBA (Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers), MLB (Oakland A's), NHL (Washington Capitals) Pro Soccer and Lacrosse. He is the Entrepreneur in Residence at Menlo College and teaches sports business at
Stanford's School of Continuing Studies.

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