No Love For Track in the US.

[Paul Henry]

Been keeping my eyes glued to th tele all of the last two weeks to date, and not surprisingly I haven't even heard one mention of any track meet or any performance at any meet.

Salt in the wound, one of the biggest meets in the US is being held this weekend and not even a 2 second slot. Watched ESPN this morning and third to NBA and Baseball( :roll: ), was Spelling BEE getting all the Love. Are you teling me the US really has no love for track or any respect for the USTF and the US national Reprsentatives?

I know many are going to say that this is because of the many dope violtions, but I don't think that could be it with the love that A-Rod and Mannie gets, Plus the bovines in the NFL are much liked. What's up with that?

[Marlow]

Re: No Love For Track in the US.

What's up with that?

Well, one of the biggest (THE biggest?) sports competitions in the WORLD this year - the UEFA final - was this past week, and It got almost zero presence in my local paper. But the fortunes of UF and FSU football - in the fall - got big write-ups. Let's face it, USAians are into their own little world of sport, and soccer and track just aren't in it.

[Paul Henry]

Re: No Love For Track in the US.

What's up with that?

Well, one of the biggest (THE biggest?) sports competitions in the WORLD this year - the UEFA final - was this past week, and It got almost zero presence in my local paper. But the fortunes of UF and FSU football - in the fall - got big write-ups. Let's face it, USAians are into their own little world of sport, and soccer and track just aren't in it.

BUT I would say much coverage of the UEFA finals was on ESPN, Even saw Milan's goal on top ten plays (was hoping bolts 150 would have gotten an honourable mention). There really has been much mention of football on US sports channel. Hell I keep up to date on the MLS and the CONCACAF champions league through ESPN. I watched hilights of JA vs. Haiti on ESPN too.

[einnod23]

What is going down as the most competitive NBA Playoffs in years will definitely eclipse track!

[Daisy]

What is going down as the most competitive NBA Playoffs in years will definitely eclipse track!

Funny, since I have not seen a single game.

[gh]

and obviously no love for the NCAA Regionals on this Board!

[Paul Henry]

and obviously no love for the NCAA Regionals on this Board!

To tell the truth, I am waiting for some fodder for discussion since I have nothing to go on regarding form charts and such like. My apologies man.

[Daisy]

and obviously no love for the NCAA Regionals on this Board!

To tell the truth, I am waiting for some fodder for discussion since I have nothing to go on regarding form charts and such like. My apologies man.

Pretty much the same. I'm interested in the results.

[marknhj]

Pretty much the same. I'm interested in the results.

I've never figured out how the Regionals, or whatever they used to be called, work ops:

[gh]

What is going down as the most competitive NBA Playoffs in years will definitely eclipse track!

Funny, since I have not seen a single game.

You're missing some compelling stuff. The Beateous Babs always says, "The only thing I hate more than hoops is women's hoops," but while prepping dinner the last few evenings we've surfed across both Kobe vs. Melo and LeBron vs. Godzilla and even she has taken to stopping to watch some of the action.

Needless to say The Birdman is her fave. (And would be even if she knew he had served drug time: her stance is, "how can you call it cheating when everybody is doing it?")

[Daisy]

You're missing some compelling stuff.

Sounds like it. Now I might even watch a few.

[Jnathletics]

Re: No Love For Track in the US.

....

I know many are going to say that this is because of the many dope violtions, but I don't think that could be it with the love that A-Rod and Mannie gets, Plus the bovines in the NFL are much liked. What's up with that?

It has nothing to do with the above. It is more about the TV exec's don't think it sells and the so called "Sports reporters" on ESPN and other big networks don't like it. They have no understanding of it, don't like to watch it and can't make funny comments. So, it's more about those in control trying to get rid of T&F more then USA not having the love for the sport. It's the 2nd or 3rd most participated sport in HS. Go figure why it isn't popular with the TV people. ????? :evil: :twisted: :x

Most likely it's because T&F you can't blame others for a lose.

[gh]

Re: No Love For Track in the US.

[..... It's the 2nd or 3rd most participated sport in HS. Go figure why it isn't popular with the TV people. ????? ...

Unfortunately, you've got it backwards. Participation and being a fan have no correlation (unless it's an inverse one). Forget TV for a moment; if all these track participants are s uch great fans how come they never buy tickets to see a meet?

As for the inverse relationship, what's the most popular sport in the country? Football. Which sport has the smallest portion of the populace participated in? Football.

TV people put on TV what the average fan wants to watch. Almost nobody (in a relative sense) wants to watch track. Sad but true.

[Jnathletics]

Re: No Love For Track in the US.

...
TV people put on TV what the average fan wants to watch. Almost nobody (in a relative sense) wants to watch track. Sad but true.

The populacy may not want to watch T&F as it is currently presented. Is what I take from the low ratings. How good would Football be if only snipits of games where shown after the game was completed? I assume ESPN's sportcenter doesn't get the ratings of a live Football game, either. Isn't that what T&F has as coverage anyways, a highlight recap show?

As for ticket counts it's alot different when there is what 10-12 professional meets a year in the states versus 256 NFL regular season games. Quanity does add to accessiblity for attendance.

[gh]

But you're missing the main point: it's not about TV. The participants prove over and over again they're only interested in their participation. They don't go to track meets. If track people as a whole were big fans, stadiums would be packed (and I would have retired a very rich man a long time ago).

You'll have to be satisfied with the fact that you're part of a very elite group that appreciates something special. No amount of "improvement" in the presentation of the sport (or that horrid "better marketing" concept) is ever going to change that.