Watching sports without fans isn’t great. It’s the best we’re going to get for the time being. But if you have watched either The Basketball Tournament or the MLS is Back Tournament, you saw first-hand just how the TV viewing experience suffers. It’s simply a lifeless collection of player shouts.
Yet, every single TV announcing crew will tell you multiple times each game that watching sports without fans provides a unique experience that somehow makes it just as good as the real thing. Here is how these dialogues between play-by-play announcer and color commentator almost always play out:
Play-by-Play: You know, not having fans here allows us to hear what the players are saying. It is a totally different experience and one we wouldn’t otherwise have.
Color Commentator: That’s right. It’s really interesting to hear the players talk to one another and the ref while the game is going on. As fans at home, you really get to hear another part of the game.
PbP: I think in a way it is better. This unique experience is one I’m confident you, the fans watching at home, are going to enjoy.
CC: Absolutely. I love hearing what the players have to say and think it’s great we are getting this opportunity.
That’s it. Every game, multiple times a game, a form of this conversation happens.
Please. Stop. It.
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Watching sports without fans isn’t good. Hearing players talk on the court or pitch doesn’t add anything to sports broadcasts. You know why that is? Because 95 percent of the dialogue is just shouting instructions to teammates. If you have ever played in a rec soccer or basketball league, you have heard the exact same things.
Ball! Ball! Ball! Get Rid! Man On! These aren’t insights, let alone remotely interesting to hear.
Dear TV announcers, you don’t need to tell us that fans aren’t there or pretend the situation has a silver lining. All you’re doing is highlighting just how bad watching sports without fans is. We have already tuned into the game in spite of this. Don’t remind us of what we are missing.
