Is Fan apathy setting in?

Like I said, some are wired for loyalty and that’s respectable. But a lot of other aren’t. Way too many entertainment options and big screen 4K UHD TVs to sit in front of these days for many folks.

 

I care about the Gators but definitely am more apathetic now compared to when I was in school and first decade after graduating.
Why? A combo of life happening (wife and young child), continuing mediocre performance, and NIL impact.
Years ago I’d never miss or stop watching a game (even if we were winning or losing by 40), but these past few years I’ve missed some games (usually lightweights).
I enjoy watching the Gators, but nowadays it’s more of an obligation versus genuine interest to watch.
This is first year in a long time that I am not excited for, because of the wrong coach (am I allowed to say that) and mediocre team which is at least 4th worst in SEC East. 8 wins would actually be a big accomplishment this season.

 

Well..glad that over 88000 + others are wired like me

 

FSU gives every FSU student a free ticket to attend all home games. No charge or lottery like to UF students. You just have to sign up to attend the game. FSU does not charge students for parking either. Most things free to those that attend. Easier to fill stadiums when it is free and you can sign up to attend a game rather than a pre season lottery environment. Yet, their stadiums were not filled to capacity last year

 

They will shorten the game time but the TV time will be the same just add more commercials and then on top of that people in the stands will be sitting around waiting for those commercials to end.

 

Not a bad thought though to let the students in for free. I’d think their bank accounts have been raped enough but hey, what’s another $100

 

Of course the TV time will be the same. The advertising liars rule the world. Try watching a TV movie these days. A 1-1/2 hour movie is three hours with advertising.

Drug companies are just amazing, take the red or blue pill, it solves all ones problems, for only $1,000.00 a pill.

Ever notice the fine print on those drugs? Why anyone would take them considering the 10 minutes of disqualifiers about how doing anything other than drinking water and eating lettuce will probably kill you.

 

I was going to read this thread but...I just don't care to, so I guess the answer is "yes".

But I decided to post this reply and so perhaps the answer is "no".

 

Ok, I'll give you that.

 

I graduated from UF back in 1965.Back then players came to Florida to be a "Gator" nowadays they seem to come for what's in it for ME! Not all but too many come for opportunity, not to play but, to explore their future no-fun-league options. If they don't play enough, they transfer. If they play a lot, they leave (AR 15) is an example. NIL,transfer portals have destroyed loyalty to teammates, school and fans thus fans are becoming less interested in the game itself. I'm a die heart Gator and always will be, but when the younger people bring their cell phones to the games they forget why and where they are.

 

A lot of fans point to NIL, but NIL only became official in July 2021. I think that is just a boogeyman and is probably giving teams cover for whatever they've been doing for a while. Something changed much earlier than then. Alabama turned on something over 10 years ago and then the other top schools followed shortly after and it hasn't been the same since.

 

For me, I used to almost only watch CFB 20 years ago. These days, I almost only watch NFL. It's just a lot more interesting to me because the good teams change out pretty regularly and teams are rewarded for good decisions that they can control. In CFB the same teams are good year after year and they have unlimited resources to stay good. If they miss on one 5-star recruit, they've got three other 5-stars from each class to lean on. It's not like when a NFL nails it or whiffs on a 1st round pick or a big free agent signing. There is clear risk/reward that fans can feel a part of. CFB is just not interesting to me anymore.

 

Yep, every time I turn on the TV, I say to myself " time to watch some commercials".

 

Knowing which team is going to win the game before the game starts 90% of the time is not very intriguing.

 

No, undefeated and untied season has never happened at UF:

1911 Florida Gators football team - Wikipedia

 

Particularly if there are a bunch of seats. What would be nice if there are empty seats once a game started, a student notice would go out saying the first 5,000 (or whatever) students that show up get in free.

 

Students deserve a break and so do their parents bank accounts. I could never afford for my kids to attend UF. The common man has been priced out of that kind of education unless they can get in on scholarship. My cousin went to Princeton on scholly but he’s a freak.

 

Lol…..technically I guess you are correct but good luck hanging your hat on that.

 

Back then everyone wore hats...so I'll give it my best shot!

 

Except then nobody buys tics on the hope they can get in free if they wait