FALL SEASON SPORTS

THE WEATHER IS REFRESHING!

We can go outside and enjoy crisp, beautiful weather. Leaves are more colorful and there is no sweltering heat. Of course, I speak only for North Carolina, where we have 4 separate seasons. As a tennis player, I could usually play outdoors from March though November, with many deviations. At times, Spring would begin in February, at other times in May.

But we can generally count on September/October/November for a beautiful autumn.

At this point, baseball is into playoffs, football has begun and basketball is in pre – season. Soccer and field hockey are beginning. Tennis and golf are viable in North Carolina for a month or two more, but are played year round globally, since there is always an appropriate climate somewhere.

Football (American football and soccer) are peaking now or very soon. But our attention is generally based on the sports we like or play. There is no time when there is a vacuum of sports activity for participants or spectators.

Tennis players, for example, may play indoors in cold weather. Also, the Australian Open, in January in Melbourne, is played in warm weather.

TEAM SPORTS FOR STUDENT/ATHLETES

The fall sports season coincides with the beginning of schools and universities. Young athletes are happy to be back on the field and most are happy to be back in school. Fresh from a restful summer, they are glad to be back with friends and teammates.

Soccer is a sport that almost anyone can play. There may be a school team, a club or even a neighborhood pickup game. A mouth guard and shin pads are needed.

Football players would immediately begin practice, if not before their schools or universities began classes. We basketball players would also begin practice, since we may not have done much running during the summer. We needed cardio efficiency first, then skill drills.

Field hockey, cross country, golf and tennis were “team” sports also. Tennis practice in college was year-round. Same for golf.

PRO SPORTS

At one point, baseball was played in the spring and summer, football in the fall and basketball and hockey in the winter. Now, these sports have expanded their seasons to maximize revenues. Football finishes in the winter, baseball in fall, basketball in spring. Also, most professsional athletes have little or no off season, since the competition for team positions and salary increases demand more focus.

Here are the expenditures made for sports leagues in the U. S. in 2023:

• National Football League (NFL) – $18.7 billion
• National Basketball Association (NBA) -$10.9 billion
• Major League Baseball (MLB) – $10.9 billion
• National Hockey League (NHL) – $6.8 billion

Top athletes as worldwide earners include:

• Christiano Ronaldo (soccer) – $200 million on the field, $60 million off the field (shown below)
• Jon Rahm (golf) – $198 million on the field, $20 million off the field
• Lionel Messi (soccer) -$65 million on the field, $70 million off the field
• LeBron James (basketball) – $48.2 million on the field, $80 million off the field
• Giannis Antetokounmpo – $46 million on the field, $65 million off the field

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodger designated hitter and (hopefully) pitcher next year, has signed a 10 year contract for $700 million and makes an estimated $50 million per year off the field. Much of his contract will be apparently paid at the end of the term. See my prior post .

Sports fans are generally very loyal and that loyalty can be a huge asset to the sports industry. Fans often have a sense of belonging to a team or franchise. These fans attend the games, follow the team and spend money on the team. They are more likely to stick with their favorite team through hard times and share their support with others. A survey found that 67% of fans make purchases based on team promotions.

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS

I have been a customer of Dick’s Sporting Goods for several decades. I would go to one of the stores for tennis racquets, balls and accessories. Later, it was for workout equipment and then golf clubs, balls, bags and other accessories. I liked my choices for athletic shoes and sportswear. Serious athletes shop there, as well as sports fans and young athletes.

At this point, I am an associate of Dick’s Sporting Goods as an affiliate marketer. Please see my upper menu – BECOME AN AFFILIATE MARKETER – for details on how this works.

I have found that I can have a better understanding of DSG specials by checking their weekly discounts. Some of these are as follows:

• $100 and under shoes – Nike, New Balance, Adidas and others
• 20% off select Nike Core Legend t-shirts
• Up to 50% off women’s DSG clothing
• Up to $500 off select Callaway and TaylorMade golf clubs
• Up to 50% off select football gear

• BOGO 50% off Walter Hagen golf clothing
• Up to 25% off Dragon Slayer pickleball set
• $100 and under cardio equipment
• Up to 50% off men’s, women’s and kids’ fleece – hoodies, joggers and more
• Up to 40% off select boots and hiking shoes
• Up to 40% off select team sports equipment and cleats

Dick’s Sporting Goods has a very comprehensive Fan Shop for those of us who like to support our favorite pro or NCAA teams. We can identify with our teams by hats, jerseys, shirts, jackets, shorts, blankets and many other forms of loyalty. See my prior post on this.

SEE MY DICK’S SPORTING GOODS LINK AT THE SIDE OF MY WEBSITE. CLICK ON THE RED LINK.

You will the question “What are looking for?” Proceed from there.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The impact of professional and amateur sports has been an ever increasing aspect of our society. We love sports, whether as participants or fans. Or both.

It’s a healthy obsession. Sports activities keep us in shape when we particpate and keep us entertained as we attend the events or watch them from our homes.

The brisk autumn weather only heightens our interest. We tend to get outside more and thereby become more active.

Please leave me any comments or questions in the “Comments” section below.

Let’s stay active!