We aren’t all the way back, as we have seen last second disruptions with positive tests in soccer and golf and boxing in recent weeks, along with the continued mental strain, and physical strain athletes are enduring, but the last few days has reminded us that sports…as a live entertainment vehicle, is like no other.
Saturday night on one end of Long Island (Brooklyn) and in the middle of the Island, we were reminded within minutes about why we go, why we watch and why millions will follow as we lean into a new adaptive world. Kevin Durant’s shot fell short after a heroic seven game series, while the New York Islanders held on with a moment that longtime hockey writer Larry Brooks said had never happened before (read the story). Never. Ever. And for those who were at the Barclay’s Center or at Nassau Coliseum, they didn’t watch history, they lived it.
Because they were there live.
Now we have touched on the changes we will see and the lessons we will learn from the last year. Consumption methods will change (check out Buzzer or Burst). Media reporting will be adapted (read Andrew Marchand’s column on how we need to bring broadcasters BACK to call games in person and why). Maybe we won’t go as often because we found other things to do. But sports still has FOMO, and that’s a good thing, because there is nothing short of a deeply personal event like a graduation, the birth of a child, even a family reunion, that will have you say “I was there when..” like sports.
Happy Father’s Day.
