The "Experience" Era of College Sports
in Fans ·
I was thinking about how much college athletics has changed lately. It used to be all about the grit, the local rivalries, and just getting to the arena to see the game. Now, it feels like every major program is trying to turn their season into a traveling circus or a massive vacation package.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good trip, but there’s something a bit surreal about seeing top-tier competitive programs scheduling games in places that feel more like theme parks than actual sports hubs. It’s like the line between a legitimate athletic competition and a summer vacation is getting thinner every single year.
I remember when a road trip meant a bus ride to a nearby campus and a greasy diner afterward. Now, it's all about the "destination" and the branding. Do you think this kind of thing actually helps the sport grow, or is it just a way to milk more money out of families and fans who want that "magical" experience?
Don't get me wrong, I love a good trip, but there’s something a bit surreal about seeing top-tier competitive programs scheduling games in places that feel more like theme parks than actual sports hubs. It’s like the line between a legitimate athletic competition and a summer vacation is getting thinner every single year.
I remember when a road trip meant a bus ride to a nearby campus and a greasy diner afterward. Now, it's all about the "destination" and the branding. Do you think this kind of thing actually helps the sport grow, or is it just a way to milk more money out of families and fans who want that "magical" experience?