Which Sport Is In The Best Shape?

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

I would have to lean towards the NFL right now. It seems as if the player's union and the league have a decent relationship and the league is getting what it wants right now as far as parity is concerned. I can't speak much on hockey, but I don't think that it receives enough coverage or hype in the US. Baseball looks like it's in pretty poor shape these days. The players union has alot of control, so much that there is no steroid testing or any rules pertaining to the use of performance enhancing drugs. If we are to believe what people have been saying recently, the majority of baseball players take steroids and nearly all of them take performance enhancing drugs. In my opinion, basketball's popularity has been non-existent lately. Any other opinions out there?

[Guest King_TIL]

If Tim Kurkijan (sp?) of ESPN is predicting that there will be a work stoppage in baseball by September, I would say it is in the worst shape. I don't follow the other sports close to enough to guess at which is doing the best. I think football's ratings speak for themselves, though.

[Guest jimmy no nose]

There's no way it's not the NFL. They have a reasonable cap, and every team seems competitive at least once every few years. The NBA seems to be going in the right direction, while the NHL seems to be turning into the MLB which is not a good thing at all. Every league should be run like the NFL.

[Guest phoenixrising]

Definitely the NFL. Name a team that is going through any kind of financial trouble - I can't think of any. And the cap rules guarantee that teams won't normally be stuck in last place. Look at the last three champions - Rams, Ravens, Patriots - all had gone through rough times, then came out of nowhere to win Super Bowls.

 

NBA is second.

 

MLB will be screwed if they strike. I can't believe that baseball is still "America's pasttime"...change it officially to football.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

The NFL and it isn't even close.

 

MLB is barely hanging on. MLS is in better shape.

[Guest starvenger]

>MLB is barely hanging on. MLS is in better shape.

 

Hell, the CFL and NLL are in better shape than MLB...

[Guest RevEvil]

NLL is lacrosse right?

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

If baseball is America's pastime, when was it ever on top? Also, when would you say the other sports were on top?

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Hate to say it but Baseball. It's still my favorite sport to watch and play, but the union is ruining the game. The players wouldn't be stupid enough to go on strike, would they?

 

I read somewhere a few months ago, that FOX was considering not having the NFL on when the contract ends.Something about ratings not being good enough, for how much it cost.

 

The sport that Baseball wants to follow is the NBA. You can sign your own players without a cap hit, there's a maximum and I believe a minimum salary cap. David Stern runs the league with an iron fist.

[Guest Army Eye]

If baseball is America's pastime, when was it ever on top? Also, when would you say the other sports were on top?

Baseball was on top for decades! It's hard to say when exactly it lost its spot to the NFL. It was already hurting pretty bad when the strike in 1994 came, doing irreperable damage. There was also a lockout in 1990. Maybe the NFL overtook it in the 80s; I'm not sure.

 

 

Also the NBA was incredibly hot for a short span. People were virtually proclaiming David Stern as the second coming of God. It was in the early-mid 90s I guess. I don't remember exactly when, or what was so great about the NBA at the time. Just Michael Jordan I guess. I don't think it could ever claim to be #1 but for a while it LOOKED like it was going to.

[Guest redbaron51]

In Canada, Hockey was at its best up until early 90's, once the strike hit.

 

I also think that the AFL is in better shape then MLB

[Guest alkeiper]

Here's how I see it. First off, baseball is NOT in bad shape. They have bad P.R. But in any case, MLB plays a 162 game schedule. NFL has a 16 game schedule. That's 10 TIMES the number of games. Plus, baseball has 30 AAA, 30 AA, and 60-70 A teams that draw fans. Baseball has much much more supply and yet they manage to draw people to all of it.

[Guest gthureson]

The question isn't what sport is the most popular, but what sport is in the best *shape*. Baseball might draw fans at every level, but at the pro level, it is teetering on the brink of financial collapse. Contraction or no contraction, its a simple fact that you can cross half the teams out of the hunt for the playoffs before spring training even starts, and another quarter before the all-star break.

 

Thats not a competitive league. Bring contraction into it, there are probably six of seven teams that could probably be considered legitmate contenders to be one of the lucky two. Including my beloved Expos, with their deathtrap of a stadium and recent ownership delivering them a poison pill. Then again, I think they should have moved to Vancouver seven or eight years ago. They couldn't have done any worse out there.

 

The NHL is heading into a make or break CBA in 2004. Bob Goodenow has likely been worshipped like unto a god by the players for the way he's managed to the average salary to skyrocket in the league in the last ten years, but its been detrimental to the sport which will always be a niche market in the US. Expansion has led to the relative parity in the NHL, which keeps interest high, but has brought the skill level down and made for some boring hockey. The league itself is doing okay, but there are a few teams on the brink of not being able to hold on, mainly smaller market teams. Not as bad as some of the baseball teams, as they can still at least break even they don't make the playoffs.

 

Basketball is solid, though Stern has painted himself into a dangerous corner. The game itself is not marketed, rather certain players are pushed. They keep throwing out guys to be the new Jordan, and none of them are sticking as the centrepiece of the league.

 

Football is the most solid. Why? The player's union is the weakest of any of the big 3 (with hockey as a distant fourth.) The NFL player's union has always been weak, which is why even when there are disputes, they fold quickly and the owners win. However, the parity some people see in the NFL I see as mediocrity. Their salary cap system means no team is allowed to get too good for too long, because you can't fit them under your cap. Others see it differently, but the NFL is in the best shape of anybody.

[Guest Syxx]

Well Hockey is the most popular sport by far in Canada, but with our shitty dollar, and high taxes (which I support) we are having a hard time keeping our teams above water, or competitive. In the States there are a lot of teams that are doing great business, but there are a few who should become extinct due to poor business decisions which have cost them fans (Anaheim, Tampa Bay). If the NHL ends up striking I fear for the game in the States. Hockey is at its all time peak in the U.S. with people playing in California and Florida and other places one never would have imagined. Ratings could still use a boost, and we could use more diversity, but slowly things are changing, so hopefully there is stil hope, but yeah the NFL is in the best shape.

[Guest DrTom]

Definitely the NFL. It has a few faults and problems, but nothing significant. Its financial structure breeds parity and prevents dynasties, and teams that don't learn to manage it well find themselves scrambling to rebuild in a hurry (the Ravens).

 

MLB has an out-of-control players' union and a commissioner who is a walking conflict of interests. With the threat of a work stoppage looming, and the perception that a lot of players are taking steroids, MLB doesn't have a good image right now.

 

The NBA has been harmed by David Stern as much as helped by him. He's certainly brought stability to the commissionership, but his relentless marketing of individuals had led to a generation of "star" players severely lacking in many skills. There is no next Jordan yet, and shoving a few guys down our throats while pooh-poohing complaints about the decline of the product isn't going to find him.

 

The NHL would be in better shape if they were more popular in America. It's a shame, because hockey is an excellent game. Their labor situation will be coming to a head soon, and the salary spiral is eerily reminiscient of MLB's. There are some fundamental changes that need to be made to the game to broaden its appeal, and Gary Bettman has shown no indication of willingness to make those changes.

 

It's basically the NFL by default.

[Guest Some Guy]

I'd have to go with Football. The players don't run the show and don't threaten to run home when they don't get their way.

 

Tom I completelt agree with you about Basketball. Just look at Allen Iverson for a good example of what he's talking about. Does Allen know how to pass the ball? Other than having a great first name (spelled correctly and everything ) I have no use for him.

[Guest meanmaisch]

Football is the most dominate sport in the United States and has been for quite a while. Baseball is led by people who continue to lead to its self-destruction. Basketball has been a bit stagnant, what with the West being extremely dominate over the East. Hockey is the low man on the totem pole and the fact that Carolina was in the finals probably did not help.

 

Football is more dominant because it has a better public image and that the season is short enough top create a more intense interest. Football fans yearn for a new season with more interest than any other sport

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

Basketball has become watered down in my opinion and I'm not sure who the NHL would try to target if they wanted to gain popularity. I think the NHL could move up if it was properly marketed. They tried putting it on FOX, but the small surge in popularity was short lived.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

Football is in the best shape, by far. Although I'm a free-market whore, the only thing the salary cap seems to screw over is the veterans who have paid their dues and get cut due to contract issues.

 

The NBA isn't what it once was, but it's still better than the other two, IMO.

 

MLB always seems to be on the verge of collapse due to a labor problem, but butts are still being put in seats. The NHL, although it's a great sport, doesn't seem to have a national appeal. I want to wait and see if MLB goes on strike before putting one of these two leagues above the other...

[Guest ant_7000]

NFL is in good shape by default. I don't follow NHL so I don't know. The NBA is alright shape, I think NBA will be back on rise in about 5 years when casual fans will know who's who and there are some new guys in NBA that could be Marketed now Like a Bibby, Garnett, Baron Davis, and Paul Pierce but some of them are not corperate "Yes men" which why mainstream media don't want accept them, and the talent is watered down because players are skipping college or playing 1 or 2 years and taking years to develop. MLB is without a doubt is in the worst shape and if they do strike this time baseball my not recover (but it really hasn't recovered since then) and It might take away my interest. I wish they did have a cap so this wouldn't be an issue all the time. It basicially comes down to Rich greedy owners vs. Rich greedy players and their Agents

[Guest Vern Gagne]

It's hard to categorize Hockey with the other 3 sports. Because, Hockey is only played in about 10 states at the youth, high school, college, or junior level.

[Guest Syxx]

Yeah but it is by far the most popular in sport in Canada, and we factor in too. Also Hockey is growing and being played a by lots of people in every state now, one day I hope it will have a large collegiate presence.

[Guest dreamer420]

i'm going to have to say the nhl. even though there are a few teams out there that are down in attendance and not making money the overall status of the league is very good IMO. they have strong leadership, crazy fans, and it hasn't turned in baseball and basketball with the high salaries, egos, and players.

[Guest Powerplay]

As big of an NHL fan as I am, I think the NFL is best off with a the NHL a close second. The NFL hasn't had many problems as of late, and they had the best championship game of 2002 (Gotta love that underdog!). Not much to complain or talk about here from me.

 

The NHL, in my opinion, is hitting a new golden age. The teams are getting better, the style of play has become very exciting, and watching teams like Colorado, San Jose, Detroit, Montreal, and Carolina flourish like they have (big props to Montreal, who have become a very talented team again) is exhilirating. Canada did very well in the playoffs this year (Toronto made it to the conference finals, both Ottawa and Montreal made it to the semis, and Vancouver made an excellent run to sneak into the playoffs. Unfortunately Edmonton just barely didn't make it in (Damn Phoenix) and Jarome Inginla couldn't carry Calgary to playoff contention. Maybe if he didn't have to do it alone ) and got the Olympic Gold! It's good to see Canadian teams back in the playoffs. Maybe Carolina will wake up the Southleast and get more of a playoff thing going instead of one team getting in by default. Or maybe they can move franchises like Tampa and Anahiem (Hockey-talk for pathetic) to Quebec (Nordiques comeback!!) and other Canadian cities. Overall, good year hockey!

 

Basketball is going into a big slump. The awesome 1980's and early 1990's seem to be gone for good. We have Shaq Diesel causing more damage to the game than a runaway train carrying 200 tons of napalm. He doesn't have any shooting skills at all, he's just big. Not Kareem big, but Andre the Giant big. Slow, clumsy, ugly, painful-for-basketball-fans-to-watch big. He rams his way through the defense and dunks it. Wow. Woohoo. Does anyone remember Isiah Thomas? He was probably the shortest guy on his team (and often the shortest guy on the court) and he was able to score 20 points in a quarter in a clutch game! He was poetry in motion! He was a GREAT leader and a great person. Famous saying: "Out there it is not a battle of skills; it is a battle of wills." Famous Shaq saying: "Only way to beat us starts with a C and ends with a T." We have one man teams like Allen Iverson and trash talkers like Antoine Walker. Where are the Magics and the Birds? Where is the "Celtic Pride" that says heart matters and teamwork matters, where you put the team ahead of you? Where are the slick, too quick fast-break plays that the LA Lakers used to play? I'll tell you. It's on the bottom of Shaq's shoe. He's so big and bad he crushed the great game of basketball without even realizing it.

 

I don't like to talk about baseball. The sport is nice, but the players are horrible. Barry Bonds is very irritating, and the player's union has far too much power. If there is a strike, the owners should do what the Reagan Admin did with Air Traffic Controllers: Fire them all and start with a clean slate. Get salaries down to reasonable levels. If their salaries were lower, ticket prices would also be lower. This really goes for all sports. Another strike will put baseball in the grave that even it can't rise from.

[Guest alkeiper]

If their salaries were lower, ticket prices would also be lower.

 

Are you that naive to think the owners would pass on the savings to you, the fan? HA. Quite simply, ticket prices are NOT set by player salaries. They are set at the point where they achieve the maximum possible revenue. That's it. Economics 101.

[Guest Shaved Bear]

yep the NFL, agreed

[Guest Some Guy]

I can asure you that teh ticket prices will not come down. Here in Boston we have the highest in the bigs and sell out every game, no way would it be lowered, especially when teh team is stuggling to break even. 33,000 seats just aren't enough. They're taliing about putting seats on top of the Monster, someone will fall off and die.

[Guest What?!]

I'm with the NFL in best shape. There doesn't seem anything majorly wrong at all.

 

 

 

NBA is second. I like how they made it that teams can go over the cap to sign their own players. And instituting maximum salaries that everyone is happy with is good too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NHL would be right here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And MLB is here.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

1. NFL

2. NASCAR

3. PGA

4. NHL

5. PTA (Tennis)

6. NBA

7. NTA (Horseracing)

8. MLB

9. Whatever Bowling's Association is called

[Guest Jerome Drake]

We have Shaq Diesel causing more damage to the game than a runaway train carrying 200 tons of napalm. He doesn't have any shooting skills at all, he's just big. Not Kareem big, but Andre the Giant big. Slow, clumsy, ugly, painful-for-basketball-fans-to-watch big. He rams his way through the defense and dunks it. Wow. Woohoo.

He doesnt have any shooting skills? Sorry but are you still living in 1995? Did u even watch NBA Playoffs this year? Hell do you even watch Basketball?

 

Lets look at his Field Goal % this year.

 

in this playoffs he got 203 out of 384. Thats a great improvement.

 

And your say all his games are boring?

 

Even though the the Kings Vs. Lakers western confrence finals was problay the best Western confrence ever.

 

I'm no Shaq fan, but blaming him because NBA isnt as succesful is bullshit. People still watch his games, and people still pays for his shirts, posters, action figures whatever.

 

If anything Shaq IS good for the sport.