Golf and NASCAR could not be more different. Golf has green fairways. NASCAR has green flags. Golf has people who hold up signs saying: "QUIET PLEASE" during putts. NASCAR has television graphics that encourage fans to: "CRANK IT UP" during races. Golf is played at Country Clubs by generally wealthy individuals. NASCAR is held at race tracks watched and (historically) participated by generally not as wealthy individuals.Golf has its ratings and interest needle moved by Tiger Woods. NASCAR has its ratings and interest needle moved by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
That brings us to an interesting crossroads for both the PGA and NASCAR here in April 2011. Ratings and attendance for NASCAR have increased partly having to do with Dale Jr. recording top 5 and top 10 finishes, whereas the PGA has seen a decline in ratings coinciding with the decline of Tiger Woods. Although, Sunday at The Masters garnered ratings due to a Tiger charge that came up short, golf has struggled recently where NASCAR has improved.
It would be easy to say the sole reason PGA ratings are down is due to Tiger's on and off the course problems and NASCAR's ratings are up due to the "Have at it boys" philosophy, there could be another reason in play.
Remember, Americans are still coming out of an economic recession and gas is now approaching $4.00 per gallon. Golf has long been considered "a gentleman's pursuit" or "rich man's game" whichever you prefer. NASCAR has long been considered the "good ol' boys sport" or "what rednecks do after church every Sunday."
Perhaps, these things are all intertwined and Americans are now gravitating back to a simpler and less expensive sport during football's off-season. Maybe we as Americans now appreciate a sport that has always been inclusive of all economic classes, instead of excluding some at Country Clubs.
I'm not saying that one sport is better than the other nor am I saying the PGA can't regain its popularity. I'm just theorizing that the recession has changed many of us in ways we may not have realized.
No comments:
Post a Comment