I don't think Pittsburgh ever had to declare bankruptcy. Also, during that period, the Steelers were in the same area, and people were able to fill that place to capacity+ on a weekly basis.
- jmatchett383

Filling a football game once a week 8 times a year is a lot different than 41 home games. People are much more willing to make a longer drive once a week. With as large a fanbase the Steelers created in the late 70s they are arguable recession proof as far as ticket sales go.

Filling a football game once a week 8 times a year is a lot different than 41 home games. People are much more willing to make a longer drive once a week. With as large a fanbase the Steelers created in the late 70s they are arguable recession proof as far as ticket sales go.
- Deadstar

That's true. However, Philly's stadiums (I'll just use Philly as an example since I'm familiar with it) are not located in the heart of the city like Pittsburgh's. They are set away from the downtown and residential areas. Most of the people traveling to games either have to take public transportation or drive from the NJ/PA/DE suburbs to get to games, and it's never been a problem.

I was only at one Pens game, 07/08 Game 4 vs. Ottawa. It seemed like most people were arriving on foot, from the general Pittsburgh area, but that was just a causal observation.

My brother went to a Philly game in Philly last season and had a blast, said it was a lot of talking trash during the game, then talking hockey between periods. It's sad that the sh!thead drunks are the ones normally front and center.
- cap1681

I've almost always had fun with the visiting Pens fans. The trash talk is good, but stays fun.

NFL will always be top dog, socio-economics and gambling are the two biggest factors on why.
- Ryan_Wilson

I wouldn't be so sure...."always" is a long time. I'm sure somebody back in the 50's said the same thing about baseball.

The NFL just keeps getting uglier. Many of players are out of control and the rule changes are ruining the sport. Wait 'til you see this new rule where a running back can't lower his head.

It may be true that the rule changes are necessary, but you can't deny they're dramatically changing the core of the game.

I wouldn't be so sure...."always" is a long time. I'm sure somebody back in the 50's said the same thing about baseball.

The NFL just keeps getting uglier. Many of players are out of control and the rule changes are ruining the sport. Wait 'til you see this new rule where a running back can't lower his head.

It may be true that the rule changes are necessary, but you can't deny they're dramatically changing the core of the game.
- madmike71

The rule changes are stupid. The athletes know the risks, and they willingly take them. No one is forcing them to play football.

I wouldn't be so sure...."always" is a long time. I'm sure somebody back in the 50's said the same thing about baseball.

The NFL just keeps getting uglier. Many of players are out of control and the rule changes are ruining the sport. Wait 'til you see this new rule where a running back can't lower his head.

It may be true that the rule changes are necessary, but you can't deny they're dramatically changing the core of the game.
- madmike71

It'd take a long time and some big change to see the NFL drop from the top spot. There's a ton of money tied into football.

It'd take a long time and some big change to see the NFL drop from the top spot. There's a ton of money tied into football.
- BulliesPhan87

And it has evolved into the perfect TV sport. With the weekly schedule and all of the stoppages, it's great for TV.

Once you get past the atmosphere of a fun NFL game, NFL games in person suck... They are sooooo slooooowwww. But with the great production, replays, stats, and instant analysis of every play, it's perfect for TV.

That's true. However, Philly's stadiums (I'll just use Philly as an example since I'm familiar with it) are not located in the heart of the city like Pittsburgh's. They are set away from the downtown and residential areas. Most of the people traveling to games either have to take public transportation or drive from the NJ/PA/DE suburbs to get to games, and it's never been a problem.

I was only at one Pens game, 07/08 Game 4 vs. Ottawa. It seemed like most people were arriving on foot, from the general Pittsburgh area, but that was just a causal observation.
- jmatchett383

The City of Pittsburgh only has about 325,000 residents. The center city is almost devoid of residents. Most fans are suburbanites that battle brutal traffic by navigating bridges and tunnels to get to the games. Parking is a cluster f*ck of random lots and garages all around the stadiums. That's why you see so many people walking from seemingly everywhere. Pittsburgh is largely a "commuter town". Always has been, however there have been some positive changes in that regard in recent years.

And it has evolved into the perfect TV sport. With the weekly schedule and all of the stoppages, it's great for TV.

Once you get past the atmosphere of a fun NFL game, NFL games in person suck... They are sooooo slooooowwww. But with the great production, replays, stats, and instant analysis of every play, it's perfect for TV.
- rival22

Agreed. I'm not even a big football fan (Steelers fan, by the way) and I am glued to my TV every Sunday from 1-bed.

And it has evolved into the perfect TV sport. With the weekly schedule and all of the stoppages, it's great for TV.

Once you get past the atmosphere of a fun NFL game, NFL games in person suck... They are sooooo slooooowwww. But with the great production, replays, stats, and instant analysis of every play, it's perfect for TV.
- rival22

I've never been a fan of the sport. It probably has something to do with the local team being... well, being the Eagles, but I still think football isn't a very interesting sport.

You're right, though: it's the perfect TV sport. Teams play once per week, so there's not too much 'keeping up' to do for the average fan. Even the plays are evenly spaced apart, so there's plenty of time to stuff hot wings and Bud Light down your craw before you need to start shouting at the TV again, and you always know where exactly on the screen to look.

Agreed. I'm not even a big football fan (Steelers fan, by the way) and I am glued to my TV every Sunday from 1-bed.
- jmatchett383

Well at least we can agree on one team then. Ha! Agreed. The NFL has it's issues but has just as many reasons and then some why we all love it. That starts specifically with our own teams and then branches out. I'm sure a ton of that can be attributed to fantasy football. I followed everything before but now I am much more interested in the full slate of games.


On a side note: Things have gotten a bit venomous on here lately. Thanks Ryan!

And it has evolved into the perfect TV sport. With the weekly schedule and all of the stoppages, it's great for TV.

Once you get past the atmosphere of a fun NFL game, NFL games in person suck... They are sooooo slooooowwww. But with the great production, replays, stats, and instant analysis of every play, it's perfect for TV.
- rival22

eggsactly. Football is the perfect TV sport and because of that it has become HUGE all across the country. Add in the fact that it's only once a week and usually on Sunday afternoon and it's just absurdly accessible.

It'd take a long time and some big change to see the NFL drop from the top spot. There's a ton of money tied into football.
- BulliesPhan87

Look, I'm not saying it's going to happen over night....and I'm not saying hockey will knock it off it's perch. It's a generational type thing. "Always" is a long time. Baseball was once the king, now it's not. The Pens are very smart to focus so strongly on young people. The Steelers are no where close in that regard.

NFL attendance is actually down. Though, obviously TV ratings are still, by far, the best of the sports world.

Look, I'm not saying it's going to happen over night....and I'm not saying hockey will knock it off it's perch. It's a generational type thing. "Always" is a long time. Baseball was once the king, now it's not. The Pens are very smart to focus so strongly on young people. The Steelers are no where close in that regard.

NFL attendance is actually down. Though, obviously TV ratings are still, by far, the best of the sports world.
- madmike71

That's one of the black eyes. They keep trying to come up with ways to make games exciting so fans won't stay home like in San Diego, Tennessee or Jacksonville. The problem is they're also changing peices of the game...like kickoffs. The most exciting play in the game may be no more, very soon.

I love hockey and it is gaining more and more popularity in the US and abroad. I hope it matches up with the NFL. That'd be tremendous. It's already past it for me. As you said we could see a swing in the coming years. Especially in the NorthEast.

Look, I'm not saying it's going to happen over night....and I'm not saying hockey will knock it off it's perch. It's a generational type thing. "Always" is a long time. Baseball was once the king, now it's not. The Pens are very smart to focus so strongly on young people. The Steelers are no where close in that regard.

NFL attendance is actually down. Though, obviously TV ratings are still, by far, the best of the sports world.
- madmike71

I hear you, I agree things don't just stay the same forever. Between the money, the societal role the sport has carved out, and the money tied into the NFL, it'll take an awfully long time.

Of course, if it does come to pass, even if only in a smaller way, I'll be glad. F throwegg.

Well at least we can agree on one team then. Ha! Agreed. The NFL has it's issues but has just as many reasons and then some why we all love it. That starts specifically with our own teams and then branches out. I'm sure a ton of that can be attributed to fantasy football. I followed everything before but now I am much more interested in the full slate of games.


On a side note: Things have gotten a bit venomous on here lately. Thanks Ryan!

- HopintheCordoba

I hate fantasy football. I've actually seen people root against their teams because they have players on the opposition. Sorry, but that's complete bullpoop. For me, the real football is good enough. If I want to play with the NFL, I'll go buy Madden 13.

I hear you, I agree things don't just stay the same forever. Between the money, the societal role the sport has carved out, and the money tied into the NFL, it'll take an awfully long time.

Of course, if it does come to pass, even if only in a smaller way, I'll be glad. F throwegg.
- BulliesPhan87

Don't forget that ESPN will keep forcing it (and Lebron James) down your throat as much as possible. Just 1 more reason not to watch ESPN.

I hate fantasy football. I've actually seen people root against their teams because they have players on the opposition. Sorry, but that's complete bullpoop. For me, the real football is good enough. If I want to play with the NFL, I'll go buy Madden 13.
- jmatchett383

Yeah that's a dealbreaker. I bench players on my team when they play the Steelers.

Also, I don't draft players from teams in the division. I refuse to root for them in any capacity.

Yeah that's a dealbreaker. I bench players on my team when they play the Steelers.
- HopintheCordoba

There was a play in maybe 2003-2004 where Brian Westbrook was running downfield and the Eagles had a 1-point lead late int he game. He stopped on the 1-yard line and downed the ball so that the Eagles could just run out the clock, as opposed to giving the other team a shot to tie/win the game. I came into work the next day and some Eagles fan was pissed because he had Westbrook on his fantasy team and he would have won his matchup had Westbrook scored. My point was, who cares, your favorite team won the game.

Don't forget that ESPN will keep forcing it (and Lebron James) down your throat as much as possible. Just 1 more reason not to watch ESPN.
- jmatchett383

Don't forget Tim Tebow. Even if you do, they'll be sure to remind you.

There was a play in maybe 2003-2004 where Brian Westbrook was running downfield and the Eagles had a 1-point lead late int he game. He stopped on the 1-yard line and downed the ball so that the Eagles could just run out the clock, as opposed to giving the other team a shot to tie/win the game. I came into work the next day and some Eagles fan was pissed because he had Westbrook on his fantasy team and he would have won his matchup had Westbrook scored. My point was, who cares, your favorite team won the game.
- jmatchett383

I remember that. Screw the points there. He sacrificed a TD in his own stats so Philly could win. That's admirable. If he's mad then he's an idiot.

For me, the priority is the team winning. Fantasy is fun but if the Steelers lose I'm not a happy camper. Of course, I don't play for money. Maybe that guy does.

And it has evolved into the perfect TV sport. With the weekly schedule and all of the stoppages, it's great for TV.

Once you get past the atmosphere of a fun NFL game, NFL games in person suck... They are sooooo slooooowwww. But with the great production, replays, stats, and instant analysis of every play, it's perfect for TV.
- rival22

Pardon? You're doing it wrong.

Don't forget Tim Tebow. Even if you do, they'll be sure to remind you.
- BulliesPhan87

I always feel sort of bad about that because Lebron is a jerk and Tebow is one of the nicest athletes I've ever seen. He doesn't ask for the coverage.

You have to ask yourself though---if they only care about the talent and popularity---why cover Tebow then?

I've never been a fan of the sport. It probably has something to do with the local team being... well, being the Eagles, but I still think football isn't a very interesting sport.

You're right, though: it's the perfect TV sport. Teams play once per week, so there's not too much 'keeping up' to do for the average fan. Even the plays are evenly spaced apart, so there's plenty of time to stuff hot wings and Bud Light down your craw before you need to start shouting at the TV again, and you always know where exactly on the screen to look.
- BulliesPhan87

So you're not much of a hockey, baseball or basketball fan either huh?

I always feel sort of bad about that because Lebron is a jerk and Tebow is one of the nicest athletes I've ever seen.
- HopintheCordoba

Yeah, it really isn't Tebow's fault that he's such a spectacle. I don't get it, but then I guess it doesn't really affect me. I've never been a regular ESPN viewer in any capacity.