As the world comes to grips with the pandemic that is the coronavirus, it leaves the sporting world in a precarious position that we simply haven’t seen before.
As major leagues around the globe like the NBA, EPL, NHL and MLB come to halt due to the deadly COVID-19 virus, major sporting codes in Australia have decided to push on.
The NRL, AFL and the A-League have all decided to continue or start their season without the attendance of their fans. It seems an odd choice, especially for the AFL, whose record-breaking crowds are the envy of the NRL and A-League.
And while all leagues will necessarily fill the pinch and loss of revenue due to attendance and ticket sales revenue, what matters most is what it means for sports as a whole.
“If a tree falls in a forest but no one sees it, did it really fall at all?”
Now it may seem prudent to link this age-old saying with the current climate of Australian sport, especially given the fact that our billion-dollar broadcast deals will account for fans to still be able to watch and cheer from home.
Yet it still begs the question. If there aren’t thousands of cheering fans in the stands rooting for your team, is the game and effort really worth it all?
As the AFL prepares to kick off their season on Thursday night, the game will resemble even less than a preseason match, which still garners tens of thousands of supporters.
Sport in Australia is unlike some other countries around the world. It’s something that binds and unites us. It gives us something to talk about at the office water cooler and it also offers an escape from the daily rigours of normal life.
And our athletes may be crucial to this show of support every day, where we dream of our team hoisting the premiership trophy after a victorious grand final.
But with no fans sitting in the stands, does it all really matter?
What do you think, Roarers?
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Yes - we're all watching on TV, and thank God it's on.
Footy Fan
Guest
On any given weekend, we've averaged 250,000 fans at grounds, but close to 4 million via screens - about half via 3 x free-to-air games and half via 8 x foxtel/kayo/NRL-TV games. So there's your answer: 94% watch screens. Obviously the revenue comes mostly from TV. Of course, fans at grounds bring the noise and colour, and are really important, but life goes on. I thought the first 'silent' game, Cowboys v Dogs went far better than I was expecting, so I'm super happy to see this year go on, and will strongly support the NRL's smart actions.
Wayne
Roar Guru
If the NRL and AFL don't play, a LOT of clubs will struggle and may fold. There are also a lot of 'normal' people that have jobs that rely on the game continuing. Sure, it is quiet and weird. But NO Footy (either code) is way worse than this
max power
Guest
" It seems an odd choice, especially for the AFL" - why is it an odd choice? do you understand what is going on?
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
Nothing unique about our interest in sport, most countries have a national sport (or two) and they all have passionate supporters. What seems to set us apart these days is that all three of the leagues still playing, AFL, A-League and NRL, are totally reliant on TV money and I'm guessing if they don't play, they don't get their money. Now the A-League and NRL would struggle mightily and a number of teams would likely go out of business almost overnight without TV money even if they still had people attending games. Without TV money and paid attendances they are in big trouble. The AFL has much higher paid attendances and although some teams would struggle for the same reasons I just mentioned, the league could introduce revenue sharing and make it through. Nonetheless, they do pay their players slightly more than the NRL does so they too really, really need the TV money. The A-league could be in a world of trouble at the end of all this.
Nat
Roar Guru
'Insert Easts crowd joke here' If there is a positive to all the noise about the NRL shifting focus to suit broadcasters this is it. I'm a Bronco member and would've been there tomorrow night but... It will be weird, especially in Brisbane, but I suppose we can be thankful we still have something to watch.
Albo
Roar Rookie
With no fans in the stands there will likely be record ratings via the media coverages of matches. Exactly what the NRL in particular need to satisfy their media sponsors who fund their sport. With more and more of us confined to isolation in coming days with only the "remote" as our friend , the NRL & AFL coverages will be vital to the sanity of a nation .