So when did sports become so serious? So unforgiving to the fan?
Sports and the world that it makes its home in, has always been one of escape. Escape from our jobs. Escape from our politics. Escape from controversy. Escape from our lives. Escape from ourselves. A world where a fan can throw his or her heart into and forget about all the wrong doings of the world. A world where there is only victory and defeat. It's a love for the game. A love for your city.
However, as of late it seems that sports have become as real as your 9-to-5. Scratch the love. Sports now involve all the quirks, perks, and legality that you might see in an episode of Law and Order. Everyone has heard the cliche so many times that, "Sports is a business", however, it seems the line between the two has been blurred, and that shade of gray has been replaced with politics. Ultimately, leaving fans out of the equation.
Need an example?
Look no further than the situation with the Seattle Supersonics. Excuse me, the Oklahoma City (Name later to be determined).
Seattle, a rabid town that has been supportive of their Sonics for 42 years, will now have their team upped and moved to middle of Sooner country because the new owner, Clay Bennett, wants it that way. And in fact, who can argue with him, he does own the team! However, Bennett never gave the city an opportunity to keep the franchise with his absurd demands for a new $500 million dollar arena.
Forget the fact that the Sonics, who have tremendous history in the Key West Arena, just renovated the facility through tax dollars a few years ago. Forget the fact that the Sonics, who have sold out the arena, and boasts a very good attendance percentage in a relatively small market, just added another marketing piece in young superstar, Kevin Durant. Forget the fact, that this franchise meant so much to the city of Seattle, that many rallied, protested and fought every way possible through the legal system to "Save their Sonics."
No. Clay Bennett bought the team. It's his now. So off they go for Oklahoma City...to be second to Sooner Football.
Doesn't sound like good business at all.
After all, haven't we been down this road already with the Charlotte Hornets and the city of New Orleans?
I'm sure Cleveland fans enjoy watching Baltimore Ravens football.
Nonetheless, in the end, it seems the fans that pay their hard earned dollar to support a franchise, one that gave them hope to remove them from reality, was stabbed in the back by the "business" of the real world. And for good measure, Clay Bennett announced he has no intention of using the team name, colors, or logos, while hijacking the teams history, and urinating on the memories of Sonic fans throughout Washington.
It doesn't matter.
Because no one cares what the fan thinks anymore.
Sports. It's a business. It's politics. Its Legality. And if theres room, we'll throw in something for you.
Seattle, you were screwed.
Sports and the world that it makes its home in, has always been one of escape. Escape from our jobs. Escape from our politics. Escape from controversy. Escape from our lives. Escape from ourselves. A world where a fan can throw his or her heart into and forget about all the wrong doings of the world. A world where there is only victory and defeat. It's a love for the game. A love for your city.
However, as of late it seems that sports have become as real as your 9-to-5. Scratch the love. Sports now involve all the quirks, perks, and legality that you might see in an episode of Law and Order. Everyone has heard the cliche so many times that, "Sports is a business", however, it seems the line between the two has been blurred, and that shade of gray has been replaced with politics. Ultimately, leaving fans out of the equation.
Need an example?
Look no further than the situation with the Seattle Supersonics. Excuse me, the Oklahoma City (Name later to be determined).
Seattle, a rabid town that has been supportive of their Sonics for 42 years, will now have their team upped and moved to middle of Sooner country because the new owner, Clay Bennett, wants it that way. And in fact, who can argue with him, he does own the team! However, Bennett never gave the city an opportunity to keep the franchise with his absurd demands for a new $500 million dollar arena.
Forget the fact that the Sonics, who have tremendous history in the Key West Arena, just renovated the facility through tax dollars a few years ago. Forget the fact that the Sonics, who have sold out the arena, and boasts a very good attendance percentage in a relatively small market, just added another marketing piece in young superstar, Kevin Durant. Forget the fact, that this franchise meant so much to the city of Seattle, that many rallied, protested and fought every way possible through the legal system to "Save their Sonics."
No. Clay Bennett bought the team. It's his now. So off they go for Oklahoma City...to be second to Sooner Football.
Doesn't sound like good business at all.
After all, haven't we been down this road already with the Charlotte Hornets and the city of New Orleans?
I'm sure Cleveland fans enjoy watching Baltimore Ravens football.
Nonetheless, in the end, it seems the fans that pay their hard earned dollar to support a franchise, one that gave them hope to remove them from reality, was stabbed in the back by the "business" of the real world. And for good measure, Clay Bennett announced he has no intention of using the team name, colors, or logos, while hijacking the teams history, and urinating on the memories of Sonic fans throughout Washington.
Bennett retains the rights to the Sonics' name, history and colors but doesn't intend to use them saying he "will return them to the team if a team returns to Seattle in the term."
Bennett said at a news conference in Oklahoma City that the original team banners and 1979 championship trophy will stay in Seattle, but "we will create duplicate banners and championship trophy that we believe will be assets we want to have."-Percy Allen, Seattle Times
Gary Payton. Oklahoma City. #20. Such disrespect.
One has to feel for the city of Seattle, and all the Supersonic fans. With no expansion team in sight for years to come, the Sonic fan has to wonder what exactly did they do wrong?It doesn't matter.
Because no one cares what the fan thinks anymore.
Sports. It's a business. It's politics. Its Legality. And if theres room, we'll throw in something for you.
Seattle, you were screwed.