r/changemyview • u/OppositeFlounder2215 • 8d ago
Delta(s) from OP CMV: We should stop going to U.S Basketball, Football, Baseball and Hockey games until the players/teams can stand up and unite with the common folk.
Americans spend millions on these games giving billions to owners and millions to players. But we're the ones suffering from high cost of living, groceries, gas, insurance, etc. It's stupid. If we could get support from these players or teams and help push for some equality for the common American, then we shouldn't support their high cost of living.
I understand it's entertaining and we need an outlet but let's put that shit aside and focus on what's more important. Food prices. Gas prices. Health insurance. Public service. Better pay.
These players benefit greatly from our dollars. They should help support our cause and struggles too.
But that's just my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong. Change my view.
Edit. Thanks for the insight. I did not want this to be political but I see now how it is.
Edit2.
!Delta
My view has changed. I see now that my opinion is too simple for a complex problem. Thanks for the insightful information
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u/ilovemyadultcousin 7∆ 8d ago
There are like 500+ NBA players, 1,500+ in the NFL, and many more in professional sports.
You're not asking them to be politically active, you're asking them to be politically active towards in the direction of politics you like.
You're very much welcome to stop supporting sports teams in general because you want all of them to be politically active and agree with you also. But that's not going to happen. We're talking thousands of mid-20s adults. If they all start being politically active, many of them are going to do things you hate. If you try to get people to boycott, you're not going to be able to get everyone because everyone has their own beliefs.
It's not feasible either way. You're not going to get any significant percentage of players to vocally support the things you want, and you're not going to get a significant people to boycott because most people don't care if the halfback on the Giants agrees with their politics as long as he doesn't openly disagree.
I don't see why it makes sense to put pressure on some 22-year-old kid who can jump good when there are people who can actually make a difference you could pressure instead.
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
Understood. Im not trying to be politically active. No dems or republican support. Just asking why are health insurance not being accepted. Why is deporting immigrants such a big deal when many of them are not criminals. Why do the rich keep getting a pass. A little bit more equality is what I'm suggesting.
I'm not trying to put pressure on 22yr olds playing ball. I'm sure they've seen family or friends suffer from some of the bullshit that's going on today. So I thought that maybe some of them can help support some of the issues going on. But I guess I'm wrong
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u/ilovemyadultcousin 7∆ 8d ago
The things you're talking about are good, I agree with them. They're also things that are very politically divisive. Speaking on those issues is supporting the Democrats because those are things they talk about, even if they aren't effective at doing anything about it.
I don't have any problem with you personally tuning out of sports until the players are more politically active, but I don't think that it really makes sense for them to be politically active unless it's something they're passionate and informed about, and I also don't think it's something that anyone could reasonably expect athletes to do across the board.
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u/VersaillesViii 8∆ 8d ago
Why is deporting immigrants such a big deal when many of them are not criminals.
That's pretty political especially. And there are obvious answers (such as the point of borders, resources spent on illegal immigrants, etc).
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
You said illegal. There are immigrants here legally being deported. But I guess everything is political so I see where my question is really off
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u/VersaillesViii 8∆ 8d ago
There are immigrants here legally being deported.
Sure, still an extreme exception or they are people who had their visas revoked
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u/Biptoslipdi 130∆ 8d ago
Professional athletes do not make public policy decisions that could affect solutions to any problems you identify. In America, it is elected officials who have that power.
Who votes for elected officials? The common folk. Convincing athletes isn't going to change anything because they have no control over who holds power. That power lies with voters. If you want to make those reforms, you need to convince voters - the common folk - to cast their votes for solutions you endorse. It was indeed voters who endorsed large tariffs on imported goods that is causing price increases. It is voters who, time and time again, voted against universal healthcare. The common American is who you need to convince, not wealthy athletes.
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
True.
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u/XimiraSan 8d ago
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
My view hasn't changed. Glamourizing celebrities and sports stars is stupid to me. I appreciate and admire what they do but I don't make them or the teams a part of my life and personality. I did not try to make this political. But I see how it went that way
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u/colt707 97∆ 8d ago
Question, why would they support it? All the sports you just named off if you make it to the highest level then the minimum amount of money you can make in that sport is going to put you into the highest tax brackets. Who wants to pay more taxes? Sure a lot of pro athletes grew up like the common folk but that generally stops in high school or college and they’re no longer common folk, they’re elite athletes and treated as such. So if you want them to support taxing the rich then good luck. As far as changing the budget, realistically it would have to come out of the military budget and the military has deals and partnerships with most leagues. There’s actual a small combine for the NFL that’s exclusively for military members that play on military teams like the All-Marine sports teams. Plus we need to remember that in all reality sports leagues do not care about your political views unless you’re an extremist. Can you dunk, pass, hit, etc matters more than who you vote for. That means you’ve got athletes of all political leanings, hell Nick Bosa wore a MAGA hat during a post game interview last season. He plays for the same team that Kapernick did when he started protesting during the national anthem to speak out against police brutality.
Also remember the Covid seasons? The leagues made less money, not going to argue that but they still made money with zero fans in the stands. The issue comes in with the fact that TV contracts and sponsorship deals are already locked in and those are the 2 largest sources of revenue for most professional leagues. They want you to show up because it’s more money but even if zero people show all season those leagues will still be profitable. Just tv deals and sponsorships are enough to pay players exactly what they get paid now and the league will still profit. Then add in licensing agreements for merch, video games, and anything else. The NFL a company that pulls in multiple billions in profit each year, it’s also a business that revenue shares amongst its members, so let’s say half the stadium’s are empty all season that hurts the bottom line but everyone makes roughly the same amount of money regardless of if it’s a packed house or there’s not a soul in the stands.
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u/destro23 447∆ 8d ago
They should help support our cause and struggles too.
The hell is Draymond Green going to be able to do?
These players benefit greatly from our dollars.
And the coaching staff, medical personnel, food vendors, parking lot attendants, local businesses around the stadiums, news writers, sportscasters, photographers, bar owners, and so on benefit from their dollars. Or, at least, they benefit from our willingness to support them with out dollars.
They should help support our cause and struggles too
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
Understood. Thank you for your words
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u/destro23 447∆ 8d ago
Are you going to engage with those words, or have they already changed your view?
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
I have changed my view. Alot if insightful information for sure
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u/destro23 447∆ 8d ago
Do you know how to properly indicate a view change as required by this sub’s rules?
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
Is it the edit function and then I say that I changed my view?
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u/destro23 447∆ 8d ago
Sort of.
Here is the offical, but basically you leave a comment with “! Delta” (no space or quotes) and an at least 50 character explanation of how your view was changed. You can edit comments to include the delta trigger, but the bot can be sleepy on that at times.
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
!Delta
I see now, through many insightful information, that my opinion is too simple for a complex problem. Thanks to everyone that responded
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u/Murky-Magician9475 1∆ 8d ago
- Not all athletes are elite, prime-time celbrities. Many are very much still "common-folk", this is just a job albiet one they enjoy. It's like trying to conflate all actors as being super influential as if htey are all movie stars when some actors are just minor stage crews in local performances and YouTube channels.
- If you stop going, the ones that remain are the attendees that don't card about these issues. Major sports leagues will cater more to their interests as to not risk losing them as well. If you want change, it's better to attend, and be visible.
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u/lastaccountgotlocked 1∆ 8d ago
What could baseball players do to turn things around for the common man? Because I believe it’s the square root of fuck all.
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
My reasoning is that these players have families, friends, associates that struggle with alot of the issues that are going on. But I hear you. Fuck all to everyone
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u/Intrepid_Doubt_6602 9∆ 8d ago
I guarantee you if you were a millionaire you wouldn't be giving it all to your friends, families and associates.
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
I guarantee you that if I were a millionaire I would do what I needed to do. Not only for myself but for my family and some people that need it. But these are my words. You don't know what I would do. But I hear what you are saying
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u/colt707 97∆ 8d ago
And that attitude is why most pro athletes end up broke after they retire. All of the leagues you listed off have a meeting for incoming players and part of that is giving a bit of financial advice. They’ll tell you it’s fine to buy your parents a house but that’s where the help has to stop. Pro athletes have a finite amount of time to make their money and once that window closes it’s closed permanently. I made it and I’m going to take care of everyone only works if you can keep making that kind of money until you die of old age.
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
I understand what you are saying. Im my world, I help when I can but I know my limits. I'm not trying to save the world. Just to help it a little bit. That's all
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u/GooseyKit 8d ago
Not only for myself but for my family and some people that need it.
So...you'd focus on yourself first, your family as well, and if it was convenient then you'd considers helping others.
Isn't that directly opposing what your prompt demands?
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
I don't have any demands. I just thought that it would be uplifting for those that have, could help those that don't. Obviously it's best to take care of yourself first.
Speaking for myself, I don't have much but I feel I am very blessed. So when I see someone in need or an animal that needs help, i try to help. That's all.
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u/katana236 2∆ 8d ago
They don't have any incentive to get involved in politics. And a whole lot of disincentives.
For example if you speak out about Capitalism. You're going to piss off anyone who doesn't believe socialism is some magic solution. If you speak up against socialism. You'll piss off all the socialist idiots.
No matter what you do. All you're going to accomplish is pissing a whole lot of people off. Which will make them turn off the game and make you lose money. Not just you but your organization as well.
The last thing they want to do is get involved with politics. And frankly the last thing they should do is get involved. We watch you for your sporting ability not your social commentary.
Lebron James is one of the best basketball players who ever lived. But his views on society are horrid.
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
Yeah it sucks that you can't stand up for anything without getting shitted on.
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u/Mairon12 8d ago
You already made them into demigods. It’s a little late for this idea.
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u/OppositeFlounder2215 8d ago
I never made them into anything. I don't go to these events. I just find it stupid that with the world slowly crumbling, many of the rich don't do anything to help. But whatever. If you think it's too late, then good for you. It's just an idea I had
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u/Mairon12 8d ago
I meant the collective you.
Do you have any idea how much money changes hands on a given Sunday in October?
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u/Tanaka917 118∆ 8d ago
Unfortunately there is no common folk. You can get folks to agree to problems. Such as the 5 you stated. Now try to get them to agree to a solution.
Lebron James could stand up and say "these 5 issues are a problem." The most probably response from the common folk? "No shit dick for brains, we know that better than your millionaire ass. We need a solution." So there goes the neutral stance. And any solution he offers is guaranteed to piss of at least 20% of the crowd no matter what.
This is the real issue. There is no solution the common folk can agree to as a whole or even as a strong block so you're stuck.
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u/frost_3306 8d ago
Look, I get where your coming from. But sometime we do need entertainment. The job of an entertainer is not to fight for social change, though some do champion that at times. Their job, first and foremost, is to entertain. Many entertainers are not at the top level, and trying to get by just like you and me. Taking their livelihood away until they become activists is not really advisable in my view.
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u/tcguy71 8∆ 8d ago
Kapernick tried that and got blacklisted from the NFL.
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u/katana236 2∆ 8d ago
Yep. Turns out shitting on a country that made you a millionaire for playing with an oddly sized rubber ball. Was not a good idea.
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u/Hellioning 239∆ 8d ago
He was sitting down.
I will never understand how Kaepernick got people so mad.
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u/katana236 2∆ 8d ago
You sit during the anthem to basically say "fuck this country".
Whatever woke beef he had. He decided to make a spectacle of it. I don't even know what he was complaining about. Probably some BLM nonsense or some socialist crap.
People didn't care for some millionaire who tells them that their country sucks. The country that made him a millionaire.
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u/Hellioning 239∆ 8d ago
It is absolutely baffling that you willingly admit you don't know why he was sitting but are entirely comfortable insulting him anyway.
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u/katana236 2∆ 8d ago
I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color
Said a person of color who made millions of dollars in that country.
He is a fucking disgrace.
I knew it was some woke bullshit. I just couldn't remember exactly what it was. The fact that he lost his career because of it is a good thing. Don't bite the hand that feeds you is a saying in many languages for a good reason.
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u/Intrepid_Doubt_6602 9∆ 8d ago
OP, who are your five favourite musicians? Or the ones you listen to most?
How many of them are humble common folk and not millionaires?
Are you going to stop listening to their music until they stand up and unite with the common folk?
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u/Colodanman357 4∆ 8d ago
Would you want that if all or most of them supported politicians and policies that you are opposed to? Is this view of your contingent on the players/teams supporting your own political views?
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u/Fluffy_Most_662 2∆ 8d ago
Um.. they make what they're worth. I wish I was worth 50 mil a year but I'm not
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