NFL may eliminate Pro Bowl. UPD changing format to week of skills and a flag football game

[tarheelhockey]

Your point about the preseason is ultimately a matter of perspective. I watch preseason with a different mindset. I want to see how my team’s prospects look and I’m (obviously) not focused on building points in the standings. 25 bucks to get at least some of the NHL experience and entertainment is worth it to me, but that all depends on the viewer.

I think the draw to following a team and watching them throughout the season is because you can sort of ride the ups and downs and see all the steps along the way that leads a team to its ultimate fate at the end of their season. A singular all-star game doesn’t have a bigger story arc attached to it. It’s a standalone game that ultimately affects nothing bigger. And even if it is the most talented players in the world, they have no real reason to show it.

The “highlights” that generally come out of an all-star game are things like Ovechkin wearing a silly hat during the skills competition and an enforcer getting ironically voted on to one of the teams. There’s certainly a spectacle being created, but it barely qualifies as hockey to me. Not worth watching. There’s no meaning to it beyond the immediate entertainment factor which is ultimately a matter of opinion anyways as to whether or not it entertains you.

I think this pretty well describes the distinction that occurs when someone becomes a "serious" fan. Most people on HFBoards certainly fall into that category, especially the regulars.

The All Star Games (in any sport) really aren't aimed at serious fans. They're more like the Super Bowl Halftime Show than the actual Super Bowl. They're for the person who's only interested in seeing a familiar player doing something cool, but doesn't care about the outcome of any given game. Or for the person who lives in the host city and shows up because it's the hot ticket. It really is just a platform for staying visible and engaging people who haven't (yet) been drawn in by the larger storylines.

Think of it like Comic Con. Loads of people show up for that event just because of the spectacle and pageantry, or to connect with the pop-culture vibes, not because they're dedicated comic collectors. It definitely makes waves on social media and attracts mainstream media coverage. My guess is that the "serious comic collector" world is divided between those who embrace the silliness, and those who feel it cheapens the thing they're passionate about. Neither is right or wrong, it's just two different perspectives.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

I think this pretty well describes the distinction that occurs when someone becomes a "serious" fan. Most people on HFBoards certainly fall into that category, especially the regulars.

The All Star Games (in any sport) really aren't aimed at serious fans. They're more like the Super Bowl Halftime Show than the actual Super Bowl. They're for the person who's only interested in seeing a familiar player doing something cool, but doesn't care about the outcome of any given game. Or for the person who lives in the host city and shows up because it's the hot ticket. It really is just a platform for staying visible and engaging people who haven't (yet) been drawn in by the larger storylines.

Think of it like Comic Con. Loads of people show up for that event just because of the spectacle and pageantry, or to connect with the pop-culture vibes, not because they're dedicated comic collectors. It definitely makes waves on social media and attracts mainstream media coverage. My guess is that the "serious comic collector" world is divided between those who embrace the silliness, and those who feel it cheapens the thing they're passionate about. Neither is right or wrong, it's just two different perspectives.

Very well said.