Whether it is served in the stands or at a local sports bar-n-grill, alcohol consumption has always been a major part of sports viewing. This is unmistakably demonstrated through the abundance of beer ads shown throughout the games? However, in recent years there have been questions raised about this union of alcohol and sports. We have seen alcohol consumption lead to fans running onto the field of play, fighting amongst each other, and even fighting the athletes themselves?. It has not really been a problem for the NBA yet (at least not to my knowledge)?but it is unfortunately inevitable that something will happen?rest assure, one of these days, a fan drunk off his ass will do something worth noting at an NBA game? In the non-sports community, alcohol is often rendered(whether justified or not is another issue) as a root of evil, a bad habit, a weakness in character. With that in mind, many question why it is embraced in sports? Why is it okay for dad to ?down a few? while son sits beside him at a game? What is your take on this? Is the NBA, as well as other sports, being irresponsible by promoting alcohol products and serving them at their games? Should there be any policy changes from the current format? Or is alcohol so embedded in American Sports culture that it would be inconceivable to have it otherwise? P.S. I am in no way, shape, or form trying to villianize alcohol?in fact, that would make me a hypocrite ...I?m just raising some issues that have been raised before for discussion purposes
You make a good point- society in a way is hypocritical because while they say that alcohol is bad and whatnot, they embrace it and glamorize drinking in sporting arenas and commercials during sporting events. But I guess thats just a part of American society... in a way, yes, it would be hard to imagine sports without alcohol, as bad as it may sound. I don't really think there's a way to change it because the two have become embedded together as one.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">It has not really been a problem for the NBA yet (at least not to my knowledge)?but it is unfortunately inevitable that something will happen?rest assure, one of these days, a fan drunk off his ass will do something worth noting at an NBA game?</div> About three months ago at a Knicks @ Heat game, a drunk fan ran onto the court during play and was running around the court. The players pretended like nothing happened and even security people didn't realize what was going on, they thought it was part of some show or something because things like this always happen at Heat games where they have some worker walk out onto the court and then rip their clothes off and start dancing, so the fans and everyone in the arena just thought it was more entertainment. After about 20 seconds they realized it wasn't some stunt and the guy ran off the court and was tackled by a bunch of cops. A couple weeks ago at a Heat game, they gave out this free mini basketball thing and after the game, everyone in the arena (particularly the drunk people sitting in the upper deck) threw the mini basketballs onto the court right as the game ended. If these things happened at a Lakers game or something, it would have been all over the news and SportsCenter, it's just the fact that it happened at a Heat game nobody ever heard about it. A lot of things happen all the time in the NBA, it's just the NBA does everything in it's power to avoid it and get back to normal as quickly as possible. I bring my radio headset to every Heat home game because I enjoy listening to the play-by-play, and when the drunk fan ran onto the court the radio commentator Jason Solotka just said "we're going to take a commercial break" and didn't even mention what happened. The reason the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc. have all done such an incredibly poor job at controlling the alcohol problem in professional sports is because the beer companies just spend a ridiculous amount of money on advertising. Budweiser spends something like 100+ million dollars a year on advertising world wide, there is no chance any professional sport is going to turn away that money. The sad but true fact is that the only way things will change is if there is some sort of tragedy such as a drunk fan running onto the court and shooting a player or something along those lines.
I just saw this thread, and it's a great topic. Alcohol and any sport in general usually go together. Whether it's Budweiser and NASCAR or Coors and the NFL, an adult beverage will usually be a top sponsor. The only thing I can't figure out is, why beer? They should expand themselves to other drinks to broaden their fan base. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In the non-sports community, alcohol is often rendered(whether justified or not is another issue) as a root of evil, a bad habit, a weakness in character. </div> No <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With that in mind, many question why it is embraced in sports? Why is it okay for dad to ?down a few? while son sits beside him at a game?</div> Accord said it best- It is embraced in sports because of the monetary benefits. Coors and the NFL signed a deal worth approximately 300 million. As sad as it might be, these corporate companies would rather turn their heads when they have another drunk 'encounter.' Because in the end, the dollar will always surpass minor run-ins. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It has not really been a problem for the NBA yet (at least not to my knowledge)?but it is unfortunately inevitable that something will happen?rest assure, one of these days, a fan drunk off his ass will do something worth noting at an NBA game?</div> The NBA does a better job promoting powerade, gatorade, and other sports drinks. A majority of their commericals are based on the sport itself, whether it be with Iverson and his shoes or Nike with 'Just do It.' Things will probably change down the road, but right now the NBA isn't in bad shape. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What is your take on this? Is the NBA, as well as other sports, being irresponsible by promoting alcohol products and serving them at their games? Should there be any policy changes from the current format?</div> Well, they still card you, so they aren't being too irresponsible. Keep in mind, some people can hold their alcohol better than others. If they choose to drink a beer during a game, it may not even phase them. Of course you have people who can't handle it..but in that case- just watch the drunks have fun and laugh.
I love this topic. There was one a while back about weed and the NBA, it was fun too. In that discussion I brought up this very issue. The fact of the matter is that alcohol is a multi billion dollar industry and the revenue the league gets from allowing them to be sponsors and from it's sales at arenas is incredible. It would be a tremendous financial hit if they were to get a conscience all of a sudden and ban alcohol from the league altogether. It honestly makes no sense to me that they, on one hand, act as if weed is the anti-christ and have punishments for it's use, yet they gladly advertise and accept money from one of the most deadly drugs in the world, alcohol. And for those of you that don't think alcohol is a drug, DRUG-A substance that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in behavior and often addiction. Tell me alcohol doesn't fit that defintion?
one person who has had alcohol ruin his career, well maybe not ruin but still hurt, is vin baker. if you noticed he played well at the bneginning of the season for the celtics and alcohol hurt his play.
