Originally Posted by
wilson
I couldn't agree more with this point of view. The Barves' move was a major catalyst, but in the years since then, I've significantly divested myself of sporting allegiances. Less than a year after the Barves turned their coats, the Failcons likewise came with their hand out looking for public money to replace a stadium not nearly old enough to need replacing. So that was, on principle, bye bye Failcons for me as well (a move that ended up being wise, because the Failcons just keep failing).
I don't watch much football of any kind anymore, in fact, because it's physically disastrous and culturally toxic. I haven't watched the Super Bowl since the Failcons failed in it almost 5 years ago, and I don't watch much college football either (I'll make an exception this year if Georgia actually manages to make the college title game).
I've been vocal about how my Duke basketball fandom is withering on the vine, because there's so much turnover that I don't feel like I know who the players are and the system is just too disjointed year by year.
I root for the Hawks because I like basketball and they're very entertaining, but I don't have nearly the emotional investment I once did in my teams.
I'm an Atlanta United (soccer) season ticket holder and will keep being so for the foreseeable future because 1) They're a good, well-run club, and 2) just as importantly, it's the most diverse and inclusive fanbase and gameday experience I've ever been a part of, by a wide margin.
But that's it. My level of interest in big-time sports is precipitously lower than it was 5-8 years ago, and it continues to decline annually.