Will TV kill stadium sports?

[Sweetwater]

Media are reporting that NFL season ticket sales are down for the 3rd straight year. This is happening while the popularity of the NFL is sky-rocketing with TV viewership going through the roof.

With wide screen HD TVs being the norm and 3D TVs emerging, I can see a day when the NFL becomes a “studio sport.” Imagine games being played primarily for the camera with only a handful of live fans. It would be like a taping of the Jerry Seinfeld show with the “Applause” sign flashing at the appropriate moments. Or worse, like a taping of a show with no studio audience and just a laugh track played in the background.

I think the NFL rules that require a sell-out (or a near sell-out) to broadcast games locally will go away. In years past, television broadcasts cut into ticket sales but only for the bad markets and poorly supported teams. However, now I think that many fans in strong markets (like New England) simply prefer to watch games at home (regardless of ticket prices) on their giant HD plasma machines with their friends seated comfortably on over-stuffed couches and coolers of cheap store-bought beer an arm reach away. Owners will see that local broadcasts are essential to maintaining interest in the teams.

Will technology kill stadium sports? It may happen sooner than you think.