Opinion
For so many people hearing your name echo through stadiums across the globe sounds like a dream come true. I can just imagine the euphoric state when you crunch that nailbiting moment and hear the roar of the crowd. It must feel like it’s all that matters.
There is no question the fans fuel the many feuds between rivals and drives teams to success. The home-ground advantage is no myth.
But in the current global state we find ourselves in governments are facing quite the predicament on how to assist sport federations to get back up and running. All sporting events have been put on hold, and with many leagues nearing their climax, everybody is searching for alternatives to conclude their seasons.
One very likely option – perhaps the only one that will satisfy enough people without aggravating too many others – is that games continue behind closed doors.
(Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
But how will this decision affect fans, players and even associations?
First there’s the lost money – a lot of gravy will be spilt if seats are left empty. Grounds can’t be filled and matchday earnings will be at an all-time low.
Take, for example, a huge club like Manchester United. They can host a capacity crowd of around 75 000, and if they are to charge $20 per ticket, they would generate an amount of roughly $1.5 million per match from ticket sales alone. Obviously it would vary from club to club depending on how big your stadium is as well as how much you charge for tickets. Your turnover will also be influenced by your matchday expenses.
If we take into account the laws of supply and demand, the fewer the people able to watch the games live, the more who would watch the game on television. Thus they will pay more to see their teams in action once again. Broadcasting companies would see this as a golden opportunity to buy the rights – their ratings would show a massive increase.
I can also only assume league winners would not enjoy the big cash prizes for claiming the trophy they might ordinarily earn. Associations just won’t have the financial capability of supplying the winners with the money that they were promised at the start because of cash flow problems.
I also believe the best possible choice for survival will be if all games by all teams are played at one venue. It is only logical considering the travelling costs will be much higher than clubs are used to.
On the other hand clubs and players would grab the short end of the stick. Imagine playing the game of your life in front of a hollow stadium. A crowd has a massive influence on the game. You can always feel a stadium’s energy as soon as you step onto the pitch, regardless what sport it is. Just picture yourself as a footballer playing in one of the most iconic derbies of your life and getting one over your counterparts with no-one there to celebrate the feeling with you.
It also means that players will not receive a hostile reception from the opposing team’s supporters. But isn’t that why we love our sports so much? It brings us together no matter what our differences and unites us against the common enemy.
All things considered, the teams and especially the players will suffer the most. Playing to an empty stadium is not what any professional athlete signed up for. Their hard work and dedication deserve to be appreciated by their followers. What motivation would there be behind their spectacular performances if there was nobody to cheer them on?
Sporting legends across the globe suggest that seasons should be cancelled for the year, and I agree with them. Why play if the only gain is money?
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