Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Browns Fan Base In Jeopardy
The fan base of the Cleveland Browns has always been a loyal one, even through some very trying times. Since the glory days of the 50's and early 60's the Browns have given fans little to cheer about aside from a few playoff seasons in the 80's. Although there were far more bad years than good ones fans still packed the stadium and cheered wildly on Sundays. Several owners have relocated their teams over the years just as Art Modell did in the 90's, but Browns fans were the only ones to INSIST that the team name and colors stay behind. My parents generation remembers Jim Brown, Gene Hickerson, or maybe Leroy Kelly. They have the memories of championships gone by to tide them over during poor seasons. My generation has Kosar, Byner , Matthews, Newsome and others to link our loyalties to. Even though those teams of the 80's never quite hit pay dirt they were good competitive teams that formed a bond with the fans and played their guts out for us. The problem is that the young generation of today equate the Browns only with failure and futility. Any one under the age of 20 or maybe even 30 has no recollection of the Browns being a great football team. Maybe not even a good or competitive team. Unfortunately telling teenage kids about Jim Brown and company just sounds like a history lesson to them. Judging from the crowd at last Sundays game against San Diego it looks like the generations of die hards are starting to lose their patience. The younger crowd just seems uninterested, and who can blame them. The young kids of today are the season ticket holders of tomorrow. The Browns had better do something and do it fast before they lose their next generation of fans. After all us old "old dogs" won't be here forever. Correct me if i'm wrong.
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I agree, the Brown’s fan base may be in jeopardy – but I believe that the “existing” fan base, more so than the “future” fan base is the bigger issue.
ReplyDeleteWhen you see the empty seats nowadays, it is the Club section – the premium seats – that are going by the wayside. If THOSE people become disenchanted with the fact that the performance is unworthy of the dollars they are spending, then look out below.
Forget about the tailgaters who fill the dog pound – it is the corporate dollars that are the life-blood of any franchise. So while a new generation of fans have no understanding of a winning team, it is the current fan base that expects a decent return on their money. If they don’t see things turn around soon, apathy will rule. And if you and I don’t care anymore, then neither will our kids – which are the next generation of fans.
The fact that we are taking time out to write this means that we still DO care. The question is, how much more time do we have. Something needs to happen now. Especially if WE BELIEVE it can be enjoyable once again.