For most readers of The Roar, sport would have presented itself as a welcome escape during life’s difficult times.
For some it might have been during periods of ill health or financial hardship. For me it was moving to a new city and adjusting to life with few to call on. The constancy of sport, its narratives, normalcy and excitement makes for a comforting blanket and welcome escape.
But with all sport either cancelled or waiting to be due to Covid-19, it can’t be that for now. That distractor, entertainer and unifier is gone for the time being, perhaps at a time when it’s most needed.
Not merely to allay a sense of anxiety (or boredom) that’s inevitably set to come, but as a driver of conversation and community. The endless debates on these pages about form, selection and club politics won’t cease, but will be in a different form in the months to come. And it’s set to be an adjustment.
(Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
An adjustment, of course, that’s hardly difficult when compared with the very real potential impact of the coronavirus. Naturally, sport’s role should not be overstated at a time it is understandably being placed on life’s back burner. At a basic level it’s a secondary aspect of life, something broadcaster Gerard Whateley put nicely on Monday.
“You’ll have your own relationship with sport. I think of it as the dessert cart of life,” he said on SEN Radio. “No meal is complete without it. Usually it’s the best and most memorable part. But it’s not the entire meal.”
Sport isn’t for everyone, and certainly not worthy of special protection above any other industry. ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys wildly optimistic comment that “an Australia without rugby league is not Australia” only became more laughable when he pitched that the federal government “has to assist us in this crisis because it is not of our own doing”. Sporting bodies and clubs will inevitably struggle, and will do well to emerge in one piece, but aren’t special entities that deserve a leg-up over others.
Sure, most have faced big crises before, but few where the economic ramifications are so big. Especially when the content mill it leans on goes completely dry. Never has sport either directly or indirectly employed so many, and for those like myself whose income depends on it, the upcoming months are filled with uncertainty and anxiety. But that, again, pales when compared with the health difficulties that others might face.
So what is sport’s role in the coming months? Little in the way of content. That we know. It’s fair to assume that in a matter of weeks (or less) there will be no sport for us to consume at all. On ABC’s QandA on Monday night, former president of the Australian Medical Association Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said he could not see the AFL reaching Round 4 before being suspended.
The NRL is sure to follow a similar path, while top-level cricket has been almost universally put on hold. With the height of the virus expected in the coming months, there will be a period where life’s great distractor provides nothing to distract us anymore.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
But sport is also memories, and excitement of what might come in future. Some have suggested that, in the absence of live games (or when that moment comes), broadcasters should play memorable old games for viewers to enjoy. Sure, that might not be for everyone, but it speaks to the nostalgia factor of sport that ideas similar to this have gained traction.
The absence of live sport doesn’t mean it will leave the agenda when communicating with family and friends in the months to come. Health and well being will be the first, second and third topic of conversation while many of us either work from home even self-isolate.
But fourth might just be about an upcoming season or event, however that looks when it finally comes around.
Gullible Lefty
Roar Rookie
Precisely. 100% correct. If you just had a bad day at work and the Tigers win, the stress is forgotten. If the Tigers lose, the stress is still forgotten. Sport can be all-consuming at the time but also a great distraction. Deep down, we all know it is not 'real life'.
Matty
Roar Rookie
I was sober Paul......lol and the bloke I went with. Perhaps the other 398 were kids.
Matty
Roar Rookie
It was 30 years+ ago. I can't recall seeing any. My point was not about family atmosphere but more the social "out" for people who otherwise have not much to look forward to. Alas, our great game is user friendly and same implications of mums and dads enjoying "outside" time with their kids.
Nat
Roar Guru
SMH :unhappy: We're done here.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well either you are, or you assume there is infinite funds. There is a limit to the support the tax payer can provide. Get your head around that. Professional Rugby League (and any other sport mind you) is at the very bottom of the pecking order.
Nat
Roar Guru
Again, you've missed the point. I'm not prioritising the NRL over essential services. This is a business decision only. Get your head around that.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's not $750 for every eligible person. We becomes billions in additional expenditure which would not have occurred. It very well may not be enough. But it ensures the outcome is not as bad as without it.
Nat
Roar Guru
Righto, if you cannot acknowledge the point of difference I stated then this is pointless. If you believe $750 will cover that gap, good luck to you. Be sure to hold your umbrella as tight in the next cyclone.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The intention is a sugar hit to kick start the economy. It doesn’t matter what it’s spent on. As long as it is spent because it’s on the economy creating demand, which keeps people employed. The intention is to temporarily bridge a gap between a low, and the economy picking up, and then continue on unassisted.
Nat
Roar Guru
It's bebunked as a sugar hit but that is not the intention. Otherwise it's the backbone of capitalisation globally. I'm surprised the Liberal Govt is offering one in the first place. It is such a piddly amount, it equates to (approx) 10 days employment in the hospitality industry. That's where it'll end up because it's barely enough for a cheap but big TV.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
As for the airline industry. Qantas employs 26,000 people alone. Virgin another 10,000. Rex another 600. Then there is airport personnel that won't have a job without planes. Then there is the fact that airlines are essential to support other industries. Then there is the fact that if the industry collapsed and only one survived it leads to a monopoly, which results in higher prices for tax payers and businesses alike. These airlines also run freight services which will be impacted, affecting further businesses. Airlines are essential to the Australian economy. Professional Rugby League is not.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah. It's know. The theory of trickle down economics has been debunked.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You disagree that every $ that is given, that is then saved, or paid off a mortgage, is wasted for the purposes of economic stimulus?
Nat
Roar Guru
I disagree but we are going around in circles. I'll just reiterate, it's not an either/or option. I'm not advocating for having sick people in the streets so I can watch footy. It doesn't take away from any services to be able to support the NRL, it is a business decision based the NRL's ability to repay the $230m loan.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Hollywood hospital in Perth deals with orthopaedic, spinal etc and non essential, same as Glengarry, I'm sure they will need to keep King Edward as a women's and maternity hospital not dealing with covid. There will be ways and means because not every hospital or every surgeon is going to be called to arms over this.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I believe giving 10,000 people who are impacted $23,500 is better than giving $235M to the NRL. If they are impacted, they won't be earning their usual $40k wage. People on $100k+ won't all lose their jobs for a start. Secondly people in that salary range are more skilled and more likely to obtain alternative employment. They are also likely to have more savings to fall back on which will make them not eligible for the dole for over 13 weeks. Every $ that is given, that is then saved, or paid off a mortgage, is wasted for the purposes of economic stimulus. The purpose of economic stimulus is for it to be spent now. Therefore it needs to go to the people who need to spend it now.
Nat
Roar Guru
Are you talking about another $23,500 on top of their (say) $40k? Are they getting taxed on the whole $63,500? Do you really believe increasing the household income from $40k to $63k has a better economic impact than sending 10,000 x $100k income earners people to the Dole Office?
Nat
Roar Guru
I disagree, it's not known. It's been done under different circumstances and different amounts, they have an idea of the outcome at most but whether it's the best strategy is very debatable. Although I think we are comparing 2 different things. I'm talking about a $230m loan, the advantages and the ROI for the Govt in supporting the NRL. The only ROI the Govt wants back on the Newstart hand-out a retail economic sugar hit. My biggest issue with this is what happens next month when that money has been pi**ed up against the wall? Yes, $230m is a lot of money going toward one of Aust professional sporting code. The NRL must reduce their costs as much as possible in order to receive this support. If the Govt continue to receive payroll tax from those who maintain their employment and interest back on the loan from the NRL. It's a business decision, albeit with extenuating circumstances, and considering the Govt have just given the airline industry 3x that amount it is not out of the realms when you consider how many people maintain their employment. As I said at the start, it's not an either/or thing, there is money available for both.
shifty
Roar Rookie
The answer is literally in the first line. THE ARTS!!!
shifty
Roar Rookie
Thought the figures etc looked a little low. Even in good times NRL fans don't turn up week in/ week out or tune in religiously to support their clubs so I can understand your casual fan observation. AFL fans are abit more tribal and regularly get double and almost triple the crowd number's and ratings.