How Sports Will Change For The Better Post Pandemic
May 4, 2020, 3:20 PM
Kansas State Wildcat fans celebrate a victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers by pulling the goal post down at Wagner Field in Manhattan, Kansas. The Wildcats defeated the Cornhuskers 40-30. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The current crisis that the world is facing has altered the way we live in more ways than I am sure many of us could have ever imagined. The sporting world has been put on hold, patiently awaiting the guidance and clearance from health experts to finally allow live sporting event to re-occur, despite how different they may look and feel.
The current hiatus will hopefully bring the world closer and change the world of sport for the better following its return.
All five NFL games that were scheduled in London and Mexico City will be moved back to the U.S. and will be played at the stadium of the host team.#NFL https://t.co/bke3m1EN9f
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 4, 2020
The viewing experience will likely forever change, especially considering the falling numbers in attendance over the last few years across most sports in North America. Being able to turn on a game on your television, get the entire family on the couch to cheer on your favorite teams/athletes will become far more prevalent post coronavirus.
Not being allowed to attend sporting events will force community leaders to construct unique alternatives to bring people together. Augmented reality may have to be fast-tracked to give viewers an in-home experience that they will never forget. Technology will play a big role in the development of sporting experiences moving forward. Maybe that is not such a bad thing, after all.
The health and safety of athletes will likely be put at a premium, more so than it already was. Temperature checks and wellness checkups will become paramount to keep leagues afloat. The procedures and protocols that will help athletes from around the world stay healthy are necessary for live sports to return without the scare of any hiccups.
Dr. Anthony Fauci told @nytimes that it will be very difficult for sports to return to action this year.https://t.co/AGqtSDNSJv
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 4, 2020
Who knows, when health officials and experts finally re-open stadiums and arenas, maybe those fans who once spat their words all over the innocent spectators in front of them will finally stop.
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that germs are bad. Screaming and shouting to where you uncontrollably spit on other fans has no place in this world anymore. Be loud, clap your hands, make as much noise as possible, but can we end the days of chewed up hotdog bun flying from mouths following your disagreement with a call the ref made?
Side note, never has a referee or official overturned a call because they heard Kevin in row 3 seat 28 scream disgust towards them.
Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.
