April 6, 2003, marked the last time I watched a professional sports event in its entirety—Michael Jordan”s final game. While my annual sports calendar typically revolves around football, I found myself recently engrossed in Olympic curling instead. Over the years, many have queried why I no longer engage with events like the Super Bowl or any other professional sports. Although my perspective may not matter to many, I feel compelled to share my reasoning.
My passion for sports has always been strong. I cherish the competition, the athletic prowess, and the fervor that they bring. Growing up, I was an ardent fan of professional sports. I idolized O.J. Simpson and, as a child in Florida, the Miami Dolphins represented the pinnacle of professional sports. Mercury Morris was my favorite player, closely followed by Larry Csonka. I eagerly watched the NBA whenever Julius “Dr. J” Erving took the court, and my admiration for Hank Aaron in Major League Baseball was immense. At one point, I even initiated an “official” Hank Aaron fan club in Jacksonville, sparking an avalanche of calls to my family home after a newspaper article featured my plans.
As the seasons transitioned—football to basketball, then to baseball and back to football—I was a dedicated follower of professional leagues. In my youthful innocence, I believed that the athletes I admired played at the highest level simply because they were exceptionally talented and rewarded for it.
However, at some juncture, the focus of professional sports shifted from the games themselves to the financial gains associated with them. The passion for competition seemed to take a backseat. This became especially clear when I witnessed professional athletes going on strike for more money. To me, that was perplexing; I grew up watching family members, including my grandfather, work tirelessly to make ends meet, not people who were already being paid to play games.
A pivotal moment came around 2000 when I was casually flipping through major league baseball games. A commentator noted how much a player earned per at-bat, and it struck me that this player made more in a single at-bat than I did in an entire year as a teacher, despite having two degrees. That realization abruptly ended my interest in professional sports. To add insult to injury, this player still earned that money even if he struck out.
Time is our most precious resource, and once lost, it cannot be regained. From that moment onward, I resolved not to invest any more of my time in professional sports, a vow I have kept ever since. I harbor no resentment toward athletes for maximizing their earnings; many come from backgrounds where financial security is elusive, and they possess unique talents that allow them to provide for their families.
Yet, in recent Super Bowl discussions, the focus seemed less on the game and more on the halftime show and the surrounding commercials, which commanded exorbitant prices. For someone who genuinely loves the essence of competition, this shift feels entirely misguided.
Moreover, college sports are perilously close to losing my interest as well. Some universities are now offering players compensation that rivals their professional counterparts, pushing me closer to my breaking point. The most troubling aspect? High school sports may soon follow suit, with young athletes opting out of their senior years to secure lucrative college deals.
Furthermore, the rise of sports gambling threatens to undermine the integrity of all sports. As the landscape continues to evolve, I find myself increasingly alienated from the very sports I once adored.
