Sports League Commissioners: A Critical Look
Jim Alexander: Mirjam, why do you think the commissioners of our major sports leagues seem to make such foolish decisions? (I was thinking of a different word, but I’ll be nice.)
Commissioner Missteps
Baseball’s Rob Manfred has long demonstrated insensitivity toward the very sport he oversees. Roger Goodell’s principal responsibilities in the NFL appear to focus on protecting the league’s image, boosting TV revenue, and promoting the brand internationally. NHL’s Gary Bettman showcased his ineptitude during a time of limited cable exposure by telling fans to simply contact their local cable provider in response to their frustrations.
Other League Leaders
Both Don Garber of MLS and Cathy Engelbert of the WNBA have stumbled at times: Garber sold his league to Apple TV+ for a mere $8 million per team, while Engelbert oversees a pay system that doesn’t reflect the true value of the athletes. Now, Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, has also joined this list of so-called “goofs.” His cautious handling of the Kawhi Leonard situation shows some awareness, but his comments during a recent press conference missed the mark regarding the rising costs of watching NBA games.
Fan Costs and Streaming Reality
At the same press conference, Silver had a moment that felt dismissive, discussing the many networks that broadcast games and the expensive options available to fans: “A lot of our content is available for free online through highlights on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.” His feedback came across as out of touch, suggesting that fans should be satisfied with snippets instead of full games.
Access and Affordability Issues
Silver later claimed free broadcast games would increase from 15 to 75 this season thanks to a new deal, but his snide comment about using “rabbit ears” to access these games felt patronizing. NFL, MLB, and NHL costs are steep, too: around $650 just for the chance to catch every NBA game. And while the NFL offers some games on free TV, fans still face hefty expenses overall.
Societal Implications
Mirjam Swanson: Silver’s remarks were really frustrating—so elitist and short-sighted. If you can’t afford the subscription fees for multiple streaming platforms, enjoy your ‘highlights,’ I guess.
It’s concerning to see family traditions tied to sports vanishing as costs surge. A New York Times article estimated that being a sports fan now costs an average of $4,785 annually. The landscape has drastically changed, making it hard to maintain the same level of fandom among all socio-economic groups.
Conclusion: Future of Sports Viewing
I wonder how much longer the current model can sustain itself before it negatively impacts fan engagement. Will there be a point where leagues realize they’ve pushed too far? For now, it seems the leagues are more focused on profits than on nurturing long-term fan loyalty.
