Sports Videogames And Sports - Symbiotic Or Parasitic?

Thanks to CNN Money for their column discussing whether sports themselves are helped or hurt by the increased popularity of sports videogames. The author argues: "You've got to wonder if sports leagues are sleeping with the enemy embracing video games. Youth participation in sports is declining, as is overall viewership of sports on cable and television by the targeted group." The NBA's licensing director also mentions a perceived change in attitudes: "In the past video games wanted to look like TV. Now TV wants to look like video games." Although the leagues argue "the [video] games can spur participation and viewership in the [real-life] games", the CNN columnist isn't so sure, concluding: "The leagues may not have a choice but to try to embrace the video games. But the video games' popularity isn't a long-term win for the sports themselves."

Comments

Re:Sports games can evangelize

[Anonymous Coward]

No, American Football is a sport which is known for frequent ad breaks and basically being rugby in wussie body armour. :p

Re:What did you guys expect?

[Scrameustache]

I broke my jaw two years ago while in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. It was a complete freak accident.

Breaking your jaw while engaging in a "kick me in the face" contest isn't a freak accident.

Breaking you jaw while knitting: that is a freak accident.