Let's be honest shall we? Baseball just isn't for everyone. In a world that is fast paced and where attention spans are measured in seconds, not minutes, the game of baseball can be difficult to follow, maybe even tedious. That being said, millions of people still watch the game of baseball (live and in person) and attendance records appear to be broken each season. However there is rarely any drama until the last part of the season as teams are jostling for playoff positions.
Pro football on the other hand gives people a sense of drama throughout the season. With only 16 games to be played every game really matters, and a 3 game losing streak can spell the end of a season. With only 1 game each week it is easy for talking heads and sports experts to build up the game and various match ups. By the time the game rolls around on Thursday, Sunday, or Monday the fans are frothing at the mouth. Not only this but football has done an amazing job of making its product one of the best things on TV. In fact it could be said more people prefer to watch the game on TV than in person, and the ratings appear to back this up.
Even something lacking in pure action, such as the NFL draft, is a major event that millions tune into. Here is where you get to see the building of dynasties, or another 5 years of mediocre play. As names are read and bios flash across the TV screen fans flock to their computers to learn more about each and every player. The dreams of young men become reality as they have made it the highest level of play in the world.
Of course we cannot speak about football without touching on fantasy football. A simple game where you become the GM and draft the players you believe will help you outscore your opponent. Each team earns points depending on how the real player performs on the field in a real game. Billions of dollars are spent on a game that is just as fleeting as the NFL season.
All in all what the NFL, and football in general, does well is turn the year into a series of events. We look forward to them, plan for them, even celebrate them with cookouts and gatherings. Each event is promoted and marketed in a very slick and focused way. You almost feel like you're missing out if you happen to not watch!
That being said, football seems to lack the kind of historical understanding about its sport that baseball relishes. Think of names like Unitas, Brown, and Butkus. If you're a fan of football you know who these individuals are and their place in the pantheon of football; some of the founders of the game. Now compare those names to Ruth, DiMaggio, Williams. These are names known all over the world. Mention the name Ruth and people from New York to Tokyo will know exactly who you are talking about. Part of this is because the game of baseball hasn't changed much over the last 100 years. Stick Ruth into the roster of the 2013 Yankees and he wouldn't have an issues adapting (not to mention they wouldn't have missed the playoffs). Stick Unitas in the QB slot of the Baltimore Ravens and he most likely would be killed.
There is little doubt that the NFL and football is a much better product. It currently sells better and is pretty easy to market. With that in mind I wonder how long the NFL will last. Products eventually get replaced by something better, or fade away. Baseball on the other hand invests in legacies, and those legacies become the foundations for great memories. Memories can't be replaced and affect people in every sphere of their life.
Baseball and football. Two games heading in two different directions.
