Evidence That Detroit Is A Great Sports Town

**emu steve** · July-15-15, 10:21 AM

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/J.../MLB-RSNs.aspx

Looking at the numbers, top to bottom, Detroit area fans should be proud of their support for the Tigers.

Excellent support at the stadium and excellent support in front of the television sets...

Lot of cities are downright unsupportive... Embarrassingly so.

**Bham1982** · July-15-15, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by emu steve

Lot of cities are downright unsupportive... Embarrassingly so.

Why is it "embarrassing" to not spend your time-limited life rooting for a bunch of overpaid sports figures? Maybe people have better things to do than spend three hours a day watching some dudes hit a ball with a stick.

Places like San Diego and the like have lots of transplants, tons of outdoor activities, year-round nice weather, and a more low-key vibe. There's no reason they should be "embarrassed" if they don't get all emotionally attached to a bunch of whiny rental athletes who have no tangential link to their host cities outside their paycheck.

Case in point, per your link, highest TV ratings are in KC, a place with crappy weather and little to do. Lowest TV ratings are in LA, a place with wonderful weather and tons to do. I doubt the people having fun in LA are crying that they aren't plopped in front a TV all day.

**emu steve** · July-15-15, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

Why is it "embarrassing" to not spend your time-limited life rooting for a bunch of overpaid sports figures? Maybe people have better things to do than spend three hours a day watching some dudes hit a ball with a stick.

Places like San Diego and the like have lots of transplants, tons of outdoor activities, year-round nice weather, and a more low-key vibe. There's no reason they should be "embarrassed" if they don't get all emotionally attached to a bunch of whiny rental athletes who have no tangential link to their host cities outside their paycheck.

Case in point, per your link, highest TV ratings are in KC, a place with crappy weather and little to do. Lowest TV ratings are in LA, a place with wonderful weather and tons to do. I doubt the people having fun in LA are crying that they aren't plopped in front a TV all day.

Simple:

The answer one gets [[or expects to get) is dependent on the question asked.

The implicit question was: "How good of a sports town is Detroit?"

I did not ask if, as a value judgment, it is better to lay on the beach, go to an art institute, watch porn, read a good book or watch if [[David) Price is right [[today).

Likewise, when Forbes ranks the richest folks it isn't a value judgment but simply metrics concerning something some people apparently are interested [[I could care less how many billions The Donald has, FWIW).

**313WX** · July-15-15, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

Why is it "embarrassing" to not spend your time-limited life rooting for a bunch of overpaid sports figures? Maybe people have better things to do than spend three hours a day watching some dudes hit a ball with a stick.

Places like San Diego and the like have lots of transplants, tons of outdoor activities, year-round nice weather, and a more low-key vibe. There's no reason they should be "embarrassed" if they don't get all emotionally attached to a bunch of whiny rental athletes who have no tangential link to their host cities outside their paycheck.

Case in point, per your link, highest TV ratings are in KC, a place with crappy weather and little to do. Lowest TV ratings are in LA, a place with wonderful weather and tons to do. I doubt the people having fun in LA are crying that they aren't plopped in front a TV all day.

For once, I agree with Bham.

It's pretty low brow to label other places as embarassing because they don't live and die by sports. And the sad hypocrisy is the same folks who made that statement would be up in arms if someone dogged Detroit for its lack of movie theatres, or lack of interest in ballet.

**AarunFast** · July-15-15, 03:21 PM

Sports are a fantastic escape from the stress of the rest of the world. And a great source of civic pride. Not for everyone, but I was surprised to see such low support in some cities. Also, I love sports, but I'll still dog Detroit for lack of theaters and ballet.

And there's nothing to do in KC? Come on! It's a wonderful city.

**subsidized** · July-15-15, 03:46 PM

Wow Kansas City, bandwagon much?

**emu steve** · July-15-15, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by AarunFast

Sports are a fantastic escape from the stress of the rest of the world. And a great source of civic pride. Not for everyone, but I was surprised to see such low support in some cities. Also, I love sports, but I'll still dog Detroit for lack of theaters and ballet.

And there's nothing to do in KC? Come on! It's a wonderful city.

Hey, let's not pick on KC. Why not pick on Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor is UofM sports fanatical but considers itself among the most cultured, best educated, etc., etc. cities in America.

I could say the same for Boston. How about San Francisco? And D.C., too [[lest I forgot that city

).

I don't consider the rabid fanaticism for the 'Skins [[when they were winning) as some pedestrian, lack of culture, lack of things to do, etc. etc. type mentality.

**401don** · July-15-15, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by subsidized

Wow Kansas City, bandwagon much?

KC went from years in the basement to the top of the heap this year. Almost all cities are bandwagon, save maybe the Cubs, Red Sox, Maple Leafs and a few others. You don't remember how badly the Tigers drew in the 90's at wonderful Tiger Stadium? Checked out the Pistons attendance or their ratings lately?

**Embee** · July-15-15, 08:27 PM

The only reason LA is at the bottom is because of a dispute with the major cable company there and the game broadcaster. That has resulted in a huge chunk of that metro area having no access to the games on tv [[it has nothing to do with its "wonderful weather and many things to do"). KC is only in 1st place because of their remarkable World Series run [[unrelated to crappy weather with little to do"). Last year, KC was in the middle of the pack for ratings.

**emu steve** · August-07-15, 09:47 AM

http://blog.thedetroithub.com/2014/1...sa-today-poll/

**rb336** · August-07-15, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by subsidized

Wow Kansas City, bandwagon much?

the vast majority of fandoms are bandwagon phenomena

**401don** · August-07-15, 10:54 AM

These polls tend to rotate between Detroit, Chicago and Boston but why post a poll from last yr.?

**Mackinaw** · August-07-15, 01:48 PM

I often wish Olympia would get out of our way and let us be better fans. What do I mean by that? Wings and Tigers games-- the latter, in particular-- are basically carnival affairs at this point. The programming between innings is always lame-- and I mean LAME-- promotions and sideshows. Basically nothing intelligent [[i.e. about recent Tigers action or Tigers history), nor anything to get you excited about the game [[at least give us some decent music). The promotions and giveaways and theme nights-- Xmas in July?! Seriously?!-- are even lamer, and attract people who couldn't give two shits about baseball. The crowd of half-assed fans that often gathers, combined with the sedate/distracted atmosphere created in the poorly laid-out stadium, leads to truly boring baseball watching, even when the games are going well for the Tigs or otherwise should be compelling. Sure, there are some good moments of fan engagement in most games and in the late innings if you go to a good game, but on the whole I find that Tigers games are no better than 'average' within the MLB when it comes to fan experience and engagement, likewise as to the home field advantage and noise quotient, which similarly lacks.

Boston and Baltimore fans are more engaged. Tampa and Oakland fans-- the few that show up-- are louder. Yankees and most of the above mentioned are less distracted by lame promos and between-inning BS [[I've been to several), and more focused on baseball. And sadly, other new stadiums are better designed with closer seats and better sightlines to at least help the casual fans stay focused [[I'd put Cleveland and Minneapolis in this boat, though their fans in themselves are definitely worse than ours).

In all, I'd say Detroit is one of the most passionate sports city, but it is not on display often enough. Yeah lots of butts in seats, but not much more.

**Hamtragedy** · August-08-15, 04:41 PM

I agree with Mac. Why is it so damn hard to find the count at a Tigers game if you're not staring directly at the gigantic board. Oh, yeah, because it's surrounded by all that flashing crap along the edge of the overhang, and disappears in favor of all that flashing crap often. Frustrating, especially because unless you're sitting in the lower bowl between the first and third, there is not a decent seat in the house. Lower bowl left field near the concourse, fuggetaboutit. Outfield, the bowlpens block any closeness. And they designed the place so you're not facing home, but toward the outfield. Bad design.

Nevermind Wings games where it's still 1993, but the seats are usually good. Best bet there is a friday or Saturday nite game vs. a rivalry when the loud fans show up.

**emu steve** · August-08-15, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

These polls tend to rotate between Detroit, Chicago and Boston but why post a poll from last yr.?

Is there a 2015 poll?

I took this from a bunch of polls about Detroit, and quite frankly it was the only positive one...

When folks say good things about Detroit it is more than likely sports related... [[also get some of that almost 'backhanded' compliment: "Detroit hit rock bottom so it had no place to go but up...", kind of like the improvement of the Tigers from the 2003 season...).

**G-DDT** · August-08-15, 05:14 PM

[[sigh)-and there used to be a time that we had one of the oldest baseball stadiums next to Fenway.

**Ray1936** · August-08-15, 05:39 PM

Funny no one mentioned fishing. Southeast Michigan [[not to mention the Great Lakes) has some of the finest fishing in the nation. Yeah, the bass get a little bigger in Florida, but you can't get a greater fight out of a Michigan one. Perch? Yum! Pure gold to the palate! Walleye? You can create a feast out of them. Bluegill? A big enough one will fill a platter, but let the little guys go. There are those who swear catfish are the best eating, but I've never savored one. Pike and Muskies, somewhat rare in SE Michigan, are superb fighters, but lousy eating. Trout can be found, but they seem to prefer upper Michigan. When you do get them, pure eating ectasy. Carp and Bowfin [[dogfish) can't really be eaten, but what a fight they put up! You've not lived until you brought in an eight pound dogfish on a five pound nylon line!

So who needs football, baseball, and basket ball in Michigan? Now, hockey is okay if you can spud a hole in the ice and drop a line in........

**softailrider** · August-08-15, 06:12 PM

Can you imagine the reaction around here if the Lions actually made it to the Super Bowl? I know it's not going to happen but if they would actually win that 2nd playoff game in 58 years it would be incredible.

**401don** · August-09-15, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by emu steve

Is there a 2015 poll?

I took this from a bunch of polls about Detroit, and quite frankly it was the only positive one...

When folks say good things about Detroit it is more than likely sports related... [[also get some of that almost 'backhanded' compliment: "Detroit hit rock bottom so it had no place to go but up...", kind of like the improvement of the Tigers from the 2003 season...).

Sporting News, Bleacher Report, Forbes, USA Today, etc. run these every year. Easy way to get quoted. Just like the value of franchises stuff.
"Throwing in the towel" sure isn't hurting Tigers attendance. Sellouts all weekend. I realize most of this was pre-sold but the last 5-10,000 is normally walk-up.

**emu steve** · August-11-15, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

Sporting News, Bleacher Report, Forbes, USA Today, etc. run these every year. Easy way to get quoted. Just like the value of franchises stuff.
"Throwing in the towel" sure isn't hurting Tigers attendance. Sellouts all weekend. I realize most of this was pre-sold but the last 5-10,000 is normally walk-up.

Anecdotal, but real story:

I was planning to be in Detroit over the Labor Day weekend for football and Tigers' games with family.

Plans have been changed after the selloff. I thought I was, in part, coming for a playoff run...

Now the games are virtually meaningless, maybe watch some young prospects, etc.

It also means I'll be watching college FB on television, and not in person.

That said, don't the Tigers have around 25K [[give or take) tixs sold for most games through the various season tix plans?

MLB has gotten smart. They sell what 21, 41, etc. plans. A couple [[or more) people get together on say a 21 game plan and it is now a 10 game plan which is nice. Do most folks want to make say 5 or 6 treks to downtown in a week to watch a home stand???? [[like getting home at 11 or midnight, going to work, etc. and repeat the next night).

RE: 81 game plans. Who in their right mind, would attend a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday night games and then say a Thursday afternoon game. Like most people work and by Thursday the person would be running on empty or sleeping at work... Maybe a millennial can burn the candle at both ends, but most can not...

**emu steve** · August-11-15, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

Sporting News, Bleacher Report, Forbes, USA Today, etc. run these every year. Easy way to get quoted. Just like the value of franchises stuff.
"Throwing in the towel" sure isn't hurting Tigers attendance. Sellouts all weekend. I realize most of this was pre-sold but the last 5-10,000 is normally walk-up.

BTW, wait until next year when all of those season tix plans, even partials, need to renew.

Tigers could, conceivably, finish LAST in the AL. They are 4 games up on last place Boston and the Tigers are starting a brutal road trip.

**jackie5275** · August-11-15, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

...RE: 81 game plans. Who in their right mind, would attend a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday night games and then say a Thursday afternoon game. Like most people work and by Thursday the person would be running on empty or sleeping at work... Maybe a millennial can burn the candle at both ends, but most can not...

Steve, most of those 81 game plans are corporately purchased for marketing & charity purposes. If you ever go through the seats in the lower deck directly behind the Tiger dugout, you'll see the names of the companies on the rows of seats. Check it out next time you go. I think there are very few individuals purchasing full season ticket packages which around around $6K per person for the best seats. However, those who do probably are wealthy enough to not have to work every day. Plus, I suspect, that like the corporations, they may give some of those seats away and/or resell them on StubHub.