Searching for Signs of Life

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Man, these are tough times for the sports fan.  We find ourselves appreciating the small things.  SU gave it some thought:

  • Good news: if you live in Georgia, by Monday, you’ll be able to go out to dinner, go bowling and even get a tattoo.  What could go wrong?  You have to admire the governor there – clearly gave it some thought in terms of where might people be able to get infected at the highest rate?  SU says he came up with a good list then.
  • The PGA Tour is re-opening with no fans in June in Texas.  SU feels that is the right move.  They will get huge ratings – even for the early rounds.  Plus they can then plan the next series of major tournaments – again likely with no fans – for the next few months.
  • The USTA has to decide soon about the US Open in New York in late August.  SU says it’s hard to see this one happening as there are so many people who make these events happen, e.g., umpires, linesmen, drivers, cleaners, etc.  But here’s an idea: perhaps this is the time to go with no linespersons?  The technology is there and it’s apparently very accurate.  No need for them.  And, while you’re at it, get rid of the ball kids.  Let the players pick up their own balls and …. get their own towels to dry off between points!  SU makes this guarantee: if they had to chase down their own towels, that is going to stop right away.  The NCAA matches have no linesmen or ball kids.  Just an umpire.  Time to reimagine.
  • SU believes that MLB will launch before the NBA and the NHL.   I think all three sports will move forward with some type of schedule with no fans.  What’s funny to think about is that you could pipe in the in-game entertainment music, clapping, crowd noise, booing, cheering.  Get creative.  And just think: no stupid camera shots of the crowd all the time.  Same thing for hockey and basketball.  Cheering for the home team and booing for the road team.

Netflix Update: 

  • SU is almost done with season 3 of Fauda.  Very good although it has slowed down a bit from a great first half.  But SU definitely recommends.
  • I have made it to the middle of season 2 of The Americans.  I have enjoyed it but too many of the episodes seem similar.  But SU will come back to it.
  • Homeland is down to the final episode.  This has been an excellent last season.
  • SU finished The Plot Against America.  I enjoyed it.  Going to read the book.
  • The Last Dance: SU caught the first 1.5 episodes.  I know most people are loving it which is great.  I thought it was good but after the tension of Fauda and Homeland, it’s been a little too slow moving for me.  But I will certainly give it more time.
  • Tiger King: made it to the last episode – I will get to it eventually but don’t feel the hype matches the actual show for me.

For those of you keeping score at home, there are some great recommendations in the Comments section of the last SU installment for video selections.  A treasure chest of choices!

 

8 thoughts on “Searching for Signs of Life”

    2. I hope to be proven wrong but not optimistic about MLB this season. So many things would need to fall into place and I don’t really see it.
      1- To the extent that spring training is a necessity, they’ll need to start with that so that’s 6 weeks, minimum from whenever the figure this out. And there’s a lot to figure out.
      2- The number of people required to put together a quality televised product is huge. It’s not a matter of setting up a camera and letting 18 guys play on the field. There are the players, coaches, trainers, grounds crews, producers, cameramen, etc. And every couple of days you’re in a new location playing a new team and introducing a whole new set of people to potentially infect. How will they all be able to be tested frequently enough to prevent transmission.
      3- What are the economic incentives? It would seem appealing to be one of the only live sports/entertainment acts in town. Until you think about what that gets you these days…possibly very little. Advertising has been drying up. Until the country opens up in force, there will be no reason to advertise for airlines, car sales, restaurants, hotels, etc. Take that all away (along with stadium attendance), and there’s much less revenue to support a cost structure that isn’t going to be much cheaper than usual. This could be offset somewhat if they fully integrate in-game gambling but this brings it’s own challenges in the wake of the Astros revelations.

      Do we know if insurance is covering player salaries right now? If so, starting the MLB season will mean teams will start paying all those salaries to run broadcasts that will be dominated by PSAs rather than paid advertising?

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  3. I’d love to see the major team sports start back up but I doubt it is feasible right now. Even if we do have universal daily testing of all the participants what will happen when the first person test positive? It may be a player or a coach or an equipment manager. What about someone that works at the hotel where the players are staying? Do we then put that entire team’s operation under a two week quarantine or do we cross our fingers and wait to see if a second person test positive? Does the entire league then take a two week break?

    Sorry to be a Debbie Downer (WAAAAAAT WHAAAAA) but I don’t think Mike Trout is going to risk his or his family’s welfare to play ball this year.
    We need an effective proven treatment before we can get going. Most top professional athletes are well off and have substantial savings. Ask yourself if you are ready to get back to the office and commuting if there is a 5% chance of getting very ill with no known treatment. Do you change your mind at 3% or even 1%?

    Tennis and Golf seem to be the only televised sports that seem doable under the current circumstances but those top guys are even wealthier and I doubt they would want to take the risk.

    Our scientist will solve the problem, and lets hope it is within the next few months, but until then it’s time to hunker down and wait. Stay safe. Jeff

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