Having an understanding of the business side of sports is never a bad thing, but WEEI host Andy Hart wishes that financials weren’t seemingly at the heart of sports fandom.
Filling in on Gresh & Fauria on Thursday, Hart said he wishes it were more simple especially in a city like Boston.
“Why do I have to spend so much GD time worried about money as a sports fan in – correct me if I’m wrong – we’re still in Boston, Massachusetts, correct? It’s a big market,” Hart said to Andy Gresh. “Generally we are thought of as the teams because the fan bases are so voluminous and passionate and willing to spend their money. This is a market that can support these teams.”
Hart later added that what really irks him is hearing team management make it seem like tough financial times are the reason why they had to let certain players go or can’t trade for others. He doesn’t buy it when people are making money hand over fist working for billion dollar assets.
“They make money, they can spend money,” Hart said.
Andy said that he’s being nickeled and dimed by the front offices as a fan hoping for the best for the teams he loves and supports. But even more annoying is the fact that all this sort of stuff is at the forefront of fandom.
“I am sick and tired of needing an economics degree, a spreadsheet, to talk about my team, to follow my team, to lust after talent for my team,” he said. “These teams are worth billions of dollars, they are run by men who are worth billions of dollars in Boston. And again, I’m pretty sure we support them pretty well.”
“I have to worry about their books all the time,” Hart added. “It’s become part of being a sports fan that I hate.”
