The drop from high to low can be tough!
In sports, life is unpredictable and a constant emotional rollercoaster. Our local teams are seeing that happen a great deal these days.
For instance, having your best player go down at the beginning of the season; a season with so much potential! It is so disappointing for the fans that are waiting all year but it is worse for the owners. Because not only are you rooting, planning and thinking about the coming season, and then realizing it is not going to be what was expected, but also facing the fans who look to you for the results.
In professional sports, not like other businesses, the fans feel a personal commitment. Not only do they buy tickets, and come to the games, but they feel involved in the team’s strategy.
Which players should the team go after?
Which ones should be traded?
What other business does the customer feel the right to advise the company simply by buying the product or service?
It is wonderful for the owners on the one hand because you feel the support of these committed fans. And, it’s terrible on the other hand, when they criticize decisions that don’t work out very well.
So, recently, when the Nationals were on a fantastic roll, the emotions of fans in DC were on a high and expecting to go higher; and then the drop! From total exhilaration to complete defeat so quickly.
I have been there with my husband a few times, in basketball and hockey. My husband, Abe, had a better attitude than I did. He expected that it wouldn’t always work out for us… I always did!
Luckily, he always kept this perspective, because he also had to deal with the media and I didn’t.
But, the bottom line is that we all shared in the highs and the lows; and, I believe, that’s what makes being involved in professional sports such a wonderful experience, whether it is football, baseball, basketball or hockey!
When things are going well, the owners, Abe and I, felt the wonderful support of the fans and boy, it feels great!
From the Heart 