The award for the most ridiculous, self-absorbed, overzealous all sports entertainment network in the world goes to...
ESPN, for the 10th year running.
They have once again proven that outside the 4 major sports, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters, you're really not much of an athlete. Unless you count token consideration of Cael Sanderson and -ahem- Sarah Hughes (don't even get me started on figure skating).
No offense to college athlete of the year Sue Bird (UConn BB) but a certain swimmer from Cal who set at least 6 AR and 1 WR over the short course season would have had my vote.
Anyone else? Natalie Coughlin, female college athlete of the year as awarded by the USMS discussion crew?
-RM
Parents
Former Member
Another big difference in golf is that there is a HUGE $$ value in the market for golf equipment/supplies/apparel/facilities etc. There is a huge number of people who regularly or occasionally venture onto the links (and practice facilities) and actively seek to do something vaguely reminiscent of what they see the pros do on TV. THESE people make up a large portion of the golf audience. Each of these people readily parts with cash to get that equipment/supplies/apparel/facilities etc. Golf equipment manufacturers pump money into golf because the simple act of watching golf causes more people to go out and spend $ in the golf market.
Roughly the same can be said of fishing - which has SCADS more television coverage than swimming.
By comparison, swimmers are notoriously stingy with the money they spend on their sport. Face it - as long as a couple Speedos and a pair of goggles are the only required equipment for swimming, there never will be much $$ in the swimming equipment market. Plus there are WAY fewer people who head out to pools in an attempt to do something vaguely reminiscent of what the pros do. Yes there are loads of people who "swim" from time to time, but a much smaller percentage really SWIM the way we think of it. Those who merely "swim" simply aren't highly likely to be in the audience for televized swimming.
If some entity were to decree that all sports (and games) were to get equal time on TV regardless of the financial viability of producing and airing such shows, who should pick up the tab?
Those who feel there really is a huge untapped market for TV swimming might consider going into the Pay per View business. That should keep them busy for awhile.
Another big difference in golf is that there is a HUGE $$ value in the market for golf equipment/supplies/apparel/facilities etc. There is a huge number of people who regularly or occasionally venture onto the links (and practice facilities) and actively seek to do something vaguely reminiscent of what they see the pros do on TV. THESE people make up a large portion of the golf audience. Each of these people readily parts with cash to get that equipment/supplies/apparel/facilities etc. Golf equipment manufacturers pump money into golf because the simple act of watching golf causes more people to go out and spend $ in the golf market.
Roughly the same can be said of fishing - which has SCADS more television coverage than swimming.
By comparison, swimmers are notoriously stingy with the money they spend on their sport. Face it - as long as a couple Speedos and a pair of goggles are the only required equipment for swimming, there never will be much $$ in the swimming equipment market. Plus there are WAY fewer people who head out to pools in an attempt to do something vaguely reminiscent of what the pros do. Yes there are loads of people who "swim" from time to time, but a much smaller percentage really SWIM the way we think of it. Those who merely "swim" simply aren't highly likely to be in the audience for televized swimming.
If some entity were to decree that all sports (and games) were to get equal time on TV regardless of the financial viability of producing and airing such shows, who should pick up the tab?
Those who feel there really is a huge untapped market for TV swimming might consider going into the Pay per View business. That should keep them busy for awhile.
