I used to be a die hard sports fan. NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA – I was on it! I knew all the key players and their stats. I even (embarrassing admission coming) collected trading cards. That all changed on June 23, 1995. My then beloved Los Angeles Raiders moved back to Oakland.
I was living in New York City at the time when I heard the news. I was devastated. Born and raised in L.A., I grew up watching and attending Raider games at the L.A. Coloseum. Could I root for an Oakland team?
The answer was a definitive NO! I threw away my Raiders’ cap (literally – I threw it in a city trash can in Brooklyn) and bought a Los Angeles Kings hat. I was done being a Raider fan and to be honest, done being much of a sports fan after that.
Note: I was no where near as hurt by the L.A. (Anaheim) Rams moving to St. Louis. I liked them, but it wasn’t as big a deal to me.
I realized that it wasn’t the Los Angeles Raiders that broke my heart. They where the Al Davis Raiders, much like the Lakers where the Jerry Bus Lakers and so on. Nothing cemented that more than the drama surrounding the Dodgers during the McCourt years.
Now, I really don’t care about team sports. I think I get more enjoyment rooting against the Raiders and Rams as I do rooting for so-called “L.A. teams.” Don’t get me wrong, I like it when a team that calls itself the Los Angeles “anything” wins, but I’m not devastated or pained when they don’t. For that reason, I was glad the L.A. Kings won the Stanley Cup last year, but I was not devastated when they got eliminated from the playoffs the year before.
It comes to this: The disconnect is complete: I could not care less.
That’s why I view sport fans differently now. How could fans be so devoted to a team that could care less about their existence? What REAL benefit does a fan gain from their team winning (betting put aside, but even smart betters know better than to have loyalties)? To a sports organization, fans = $$$. That is it.
I now mainly follow MMA and combat sports. It is easier to identify with an individual as opposed to a team or organization. I’m not loyal to Glory, UFC, Bellator, WSOF or any other organization. I like the fighters themselves.
The stakes are real in combat sports. If you loose an NBA, NFL, NHL or MLB game, no biggie. You’ll play next week or the next day and get to try again. Throw the ball into the hoop! Shoot the puck into a net! Catch the ball!
Not in MMA. Fighters are putting their very health and in some case their lives on the line. Losses are consequential! Wins are glorious and monetarily beneficial, while losses are disastrous and even career ending. It’s the only true sport left.
I know, NFL athletes get hurt and suffer real consequences. But it’s a team sport guided by the NFL, the worst sports organization around! It’s also a game, not a real test of individual bravery, skill and determination.
So yeah, I’m rooting for the Angels and Dodgers this MLB post-season. I’d love to see a Freeway series! But I won’t be too sad if either team does not win a championship. The extra $300K bonus they earn if the win won’t do a thing for me.
I’ve said it before:
Be loyal to things that are real. And there should only be a few of those.
The Raiders suck and I love it!
