OT: Can Atlanta still be a good major league sports town?

[Esq]

I disagree with the premise. Atlanta has never been a good pro sports town, and isn't one now.

 

[Nuclear SUV]

I never understood the mass draw of college sports for those who didn't attend the university they are rooting for.

But, I come from Massachusetts, where college sports are hardly ever discussed on sports radio.

The absence of a major flagship state university with long, deep historic traditions probably hurts the situation. Sure, there is UMass, but its tradition, academic excellence, and even athletic achievement pale in comparison to the Boston area private institutions. While in other states the flagship university dominates in tradition, academic excellence, athletic achievement, and also produce the most local alumni. In places without pro-teams, they often fill that void in the sports market.

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

The absence of a major flagship state university with long, deep historic traditions probably hurts the situation. Sure, there is UMass, but its tradition, academic excellence, and even athletic achievement pale in comparison to the Boston area private institutions. While in other states the flagship university dominates in tradition, academic excellence, athletic achievement, and also produce the most local alumni. In places without pro-teams, they often fill that void in the sports market.

Good points.

I think more people root against Umass or BC than for them.

I mean, I went to Northeastern.. why should I want to see Umass or BC do well?

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

Keep in mind that in your region, professional sports has existed for about a century. Teams like the Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics are an integral part of the regional culture and are a source of deep local pride.

In other areas, particularly the South, major league sports has arrived within the past 30-40 years or less. The majority of the population either grew up without the local team, or relocated from some other place where they rooted for a rival team. Combine that lack of historical connectedness with the mercenary modern sports culture, and people tend to view pro sports as much more of a business and less of a cultural institution.

I bring that up because it contrasts with the collegiate teams that have been around for well over a century, and until recently were usually stocked with players from the local community. Cheering for the local college team wasn't really any different from cheering for the local high school team -- whether you went to the school or not, they represented your community on a large competitive stage. The players often had a tangible connection to your hometown, and the local leagues were basically a competition to send your kid to that college team. For a region without significant professional loyalties, the college team was the biggest show in the state and the main source of athletic/competitive pride. Multiply that across several generations, and you get the current condition of people going crazy for a school team that has nothing directly to do with them.

In North Carolina, do the public schools like UNC or NC State attract more fans than Duke or Wake?

 

[tarheelhockey]

In North Carolina, do the public schools like UNC or NC State attract more fans than Duke or Wake?

By a long shot. I rarely run into Duke fans around here (the joke is that they all move back to New Jersey after graduation) and it's a real rarity to find a Wake fan who isn't an alum.

This was one of the most surprising things to me upon moving to the area. I knew a lot more Duke fans when I lived in Charlotte than I do now.

 

[Melrose Munch]

It certainly doesn't need any more expensive, inflexible, relic rail lines. Especially based on the cost, the dispersed development patterns of Atlanta, the population density, and the future trend of transportation. Folks interested in fixed rail transit should focus on adding density around the current MARTA system.

What it really needs is political consolidation and an actual comprehensive plan for its growth. Pretty much any approach, road or rail, would work better than the status quo as long as it is comprehensive. MARTA is probably the poster child for the Atlanta metro's inability to get the whole flock moving in the same direction.



Agreed, but that's a whole lot easier to do when the system isn't woefully inadequate and under-utilized.

Well it is because its small. MARTA needs to expand within the city. Atlanta needs commuter rail. Not everyone wants to or needs to drive.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

By a long shot. I rarely run into Duke fans around here (the joke is that they all move back to New Jersey after graduation) and it's a real rarity to find a Wake fan who isn't an alum.

This was one of the most surprising things to me upon moving to the area. I knew a lot more Duke fans when I lived in Charlotte than I do now.

In no small part due to how god-awful they are. I know 4 (of course it helps that my wife went to Wake) and they're a long suffering lot.

 

[Colin226]

Just arrived in ATL last night and I'm headed to the Braves game today.. Maybe I'll ask around and see what some people think

 

[Tekneek]

Tek: ASG could have had more money than God but that wouldn't have saved the hockey team. They dumped talent, drove away all but the hardcore hockey fans, then threatened to kick the team out of the building if they didn't leave town. All the money in the world wouldn't protect them or their fans from owners who never wanted a hockey franchise to begin with.

True, I was more arguing with the premise that you're supposed to prop up bad ownership by continuing to go to games. Even an original six franchise will suffer a hit in support when ownership goes bad.

Wirtz had the financial resources and desire to absorb that hit and keep going. ASG had neither the desire nor the financial resources.