When pigskin costs a pretty penny

I had to cancel my Sunday ticket because it was just too much money. Didn't want to since I'm a Carolina fan and I live in San Diego. Then a week later my satelite company sends me a coupon for 10 dollars off. 10 DOLLARS! Do they really think that I would take that deal when the package cost almost 400! Give me a break!

I've pumped a lot of money into watching hockey over the last few years, in fact, going to 50 or more games over the last two years, but I will certainly not be able to do that this year, due to all the economic turmoil. I'll stay home and listen to XM radio instead of traveling to some games!

The more folks that stay home means more viewer for TV. Fortunately for me that means more work, I work in the remote TV business that covers everything including sports. More folks tuning in the more coverage on TV. The only downside is when the sponsors start pulling out. Then it starts affecting the events. No events, nothing to cover.

The cost of attending a game is getting out of hand... Like Curt above, I used to go to a lot of hockey games – which are a LOT more fun to attend in person than watch on TV. But after I got married this past year (as well as seven of my friends and family), I'm completely wiped out. Now I either watch on TV (and hope that espn can reach a good contract with them to show more games). Luckily, I live within two minutes of the arena, so I can at least immerse myself in the atmosphere and watch from the bar across the street!

no way am i going to cancel my trip to a game . we are going in november to see the steelers whip up on the bengals. with all the uncertainty out there right now this is a sure bet!

I haven't cut back at all, every weekend I spend a couple of dollars on gas to get myself to where I PARTICIPATE in my sport. Sweat is free. I'm 48 and not in especially good shape but I make the effort to stay active. Sports are something you DO, entertainment is something you watch others do.

The sacrifices being applied to sporting events started for me a few months back. Instead of attending 3 or 4 Red Sox games, I went to 2 and even took lower priced seats as as a result. Although I went to 1 Patriot's game, that will be it for me this year; as the 42" plasma can always provide premium seating on a cold winter's night, free parking, and inexpensive concessions; sorry Bruins!

You talked about the NBA laying 80 people off due to the economy, how about some of the players taking a pay cut so those employees can keep their jobs and feed their families?

All the more reason to support our local high school sports, the future stars today!

Hi, I was just watching Charmed and saw Rafer , he was playing a boyfriend of Phebe. He sure looks real young in the show. Just thought I would let you know I saw his acting skills!

gas prices down again!! whooo hooo... the cheapest i've seen it here in nearby omaha is $2.69! Come on Santa, mama wants to see $2.50 soon. What ya say, who's with me?

I really don't see why so called pro athletes make so much money, don't get me wrong I love football but when I hear the pay I cannot believe it, I'm a nurse and take care of human life and can hardly make it from pay check to pay check.I think our society priorities are messed up health care is suppose to rise 30% my wages won't at the hospital I work at we had to take a pay freeze.

Well don't those teams some how have to pay those multi-million dollar salaries to the players some way. I rather sit on the couch and tailgate with a few friends watching the game.

Hi Rafer & Robin,
Love watching you guys (Bob, Richard & Jennifer too!)
I am writing about " the cost of pigskin" but I am actually not talking about money... I am speaking about what 'loss of respect' is costing us!
My son is 9 years old and plays for the Pop Warner Football league. What I experienced last week just about made me sick! The unsportsmanship displayed by the other team was just terrible. This behavior was driven by the parents and the coaches!! Examples: The parents were yelling swears at us throughout the game; they would not take a knee when our players were hurt ("we don't need to give you any f-cking respect!"; when it was time to line up the coach started screaming and swearing at our coach, we had to get the kids off the field because we thought there was going to be a riot!!; written on the windows of the cars as they drove in, "make CXXXXXX Blue bleed red!". We brought this up with the league and nothing is being done because the team in question has been the champs for at least the past 2 years. We have film of this game and would love to share it with CNN to shed some light on this unsportsman like conduct being taught in our national league for kids. Contact me if you would like to get additional facts regarding this unfortunate incident. We cannot control peoples behavior but I feel the league really set a bad example by not disciplining this team and sending a non-respect message to all involved. It 's so sad that this is happening in this KIDS national league. What is this world coming to?!?

I follow the economy and markets closely and consider myself a fairly well informed investor. I have made the statement several times in the past that I would not consider the US in a REAL recession until the entertainment industry went into a protracted slowdown (I'm talking movies, professional sports etc). As long as people and business are shelling out the megabucks for boxes and season tickets I don't believe things can be as bleak as we are led to believe.

Yes, the "cost of piskin" is too much for many of us now. The real travesty is what happens for the fans that are not able to justify taking that much money out of their budgets. The turmoil with the economy and the automotive industry has hit Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio especially hard. Sometimes our only joy is cheering on our local pro teams. We were hit hard again this past weekend when the Lion's weren't able to sell enough tickets for their game against Washington. The local TV networks had to blackout the game – so those of us suffering with unemployment, foreclosure, etc... that can't afford the tickets, weren't able to watch the game on TV either. That's the real travesty in these hard times.

My husband(s) would have given their eye teeth to have seen a pro game, or even a college game, but the costs are out of hand. The regular ole Sam the Carpenter is forced to stay at home and watch what is on TV. And there some of the "athletes" are in multi-million contracts. Where's the justice?

I agree with Nancy Kindness Heath, why don't you get that tape from her and show what is really happening in the trenches out there. It is appalling how the kids leagues are turning and Yes it does cost to much to go to a game.

What happened to all the sports. I am 55 and over the years I have reduced my sports watching to only 3 hours a week. I only watch games if the Bears are on and bowling when it is available.

Since the pay players so much now, it is no longer enjoyable watching when you see real heroes like that in the military getting dumped on while in the sports players are getting away with things like raping, tattooing, drinking and all the other garbage.

Who is the man getting out of the car with Plaxico Burress? Is it just me, or does he look a lot like Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinny"?

At the price of tickets,due in part to the inflated salaries the players
are receiving,you would think that the "stars" could conduct themselves far better off the field.Felon"s can"t get a Truck Drivers
license anymore,but Vick,Jones,Burress,&Others,can draw millions & continue on in football doing whatever they like.I'll never go to another live game.I can afford too,I just refuse to give these hoodlums my hard earned money! Kick the players out if they can"t behave!Some other well deserving player will be glad to step up & fill their shoes!