Minnesota and Arizona Deserve Your Scorn

Word on the wires today that both local markets are struggling to fill the stadium and avoid a local blackout. This will, of course, lead to widespread ridicule of the relative fan bases, because True Fandom must also include spending big jack to watch the game live... but honestly, people, why do we do this?

There's a reason why Minny isn't selling out the place, and that's because Eagle Nation (a) doesn't want to go to Minneapolis in January, and (b) doesn't really believe in their team enough to spend up to four figures, with plane fare, to add a few thousand guys wearing green and acting rude in the stands. Even if the game is indoors.

As for Arizona, the same thing goes for the Atlanta fan base, but it's also multiplied, because Atlanta has the worst fans in America. I say that in the great hope that some Atlanta fans will discover this blog and flood it with their profitable anger. Flame away, ATL! Assuming you got an Internet!

The nasty little secret of NFL games now is that outside of the major metro markets, Road Fan is a sizable percentage of the audience -- especially of those last few thousand seats that people generally don't want to sit in. This is only growing as the recession deepens and the income inequities between regions deepens. (Last week, the Shooter Family went on the road to visit some friends in Pittsburgh. They have a lovely 3BR house with decks, separate garage, full basement, nice neighborhood, good schools, etc., etc... and it cost $100K. Sigh.)

Besides, put yourself in the shoes of Vikings Fan or Cardinals Fan. You're going to spend big so that others can watch for free, and you're going to be out of pocket in the worst economy in decades for... Tavaris Jackson and the worst division winner ever. Tough sell.