Anyone else being a shitty fan this year?

[Sinurgy]

I've missed more Coyote games this season than probably the previous 10 years combined. It's like sports in general has kind of fallen off my radar which is weird to say because before covid one could accurately describe me as a super fan, especially when it comes to hockey and college football. I mean...I didn't even watch the college national championship this year let alone any regular season games and the same thing is happening with hockey. I've watched maybe 2 hours of the Coyotes this season. 2 hours!!! This coming from someone who would normally never miss a game. Sure the Coyotes suck (I think) but if that was the issue this would've happened 20x already. It's like I've just completely fallen out of the sports habit. I'm becoming that guy who half ass looks at box scores. I'm busier than normal but really I think it's equal parts covid, pseudo wannabe seasons/playoffs and the complete inability to watch any of it on streaming services. I can't emphasize that last one enough...no way I'm going back to cable and at this point f*** the "live" streaming services too for offering mostly shit mouth breather channels only! At this point I'll just roll with Netflix, Disney+, HBO Maxx and call it day. f*** the rest!

So anyone else slipping or is it just me?

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[Dirty Old Man]

Well, I'm slipping in that I'm a full STH and haven't attended a game this season.

In fact, little did I know on Feb 29 of last year attending the game against Buffalo, that the next time I would be near GRA would be today, March 9, in the West parking lot of the Cardinals stadium, to receive a vaccine.

And although traffic getting there via the new 202 was fine, for old times sake there I was, in said parking lot, in a traffic jam in the West valley, on a weeknight, stuck for a half hour, as ever, behind someone with a Blackhawk sticker . Couldnt make that up.

 

[hbk]

I have active subscriptions to NHL, AHL, and WHL. Life is good. Coyotes have been fun to watch as well.

 

[KG]

I have been struggling to watch for a few years. The constant losing and the feeling that it's always one step forward and two back makes it difficult for me to make watching the games a priority. I keep up with team/NHL news, transactions, player statistics, trades and etc but don't watch the actual games as much as I should. I wish I could watch them consistently but its tough watching a rebuild fail and now from all indications looking at a second one from Armstrong.

 

[rt]

I’ve watched all the Coyotes games. I’m not watching any other games though. So I have a lot less idea what’s going on with other teams and in other leagues.

I gave up on all non-hockey sports a long time ago. Basically when my first child was born.

 

[Gwyddbwyll]

I've gone through phases. It really does depend on what else you have going on in your life. I dont think it's uncommon to be obsessive about anything in your 20's then have to prioritise in your 30's with your family or career demands and then get back into it later in life.

Working from home 100% right now means I have a lot more flexibility to watch these games that mostly start at midnight or 2am so I'm back in it a lot more than I was.

 

[Sm00chy]

I think I have only missed one game due to traveling. I would describe myself as a full blown hockey nut.

On top of watching almost every Yotes game I have probably watched more non-Yotes hockey as well.

 

[MIGs Dog]

I watch every Yotes game I can. Ironically, I was in Phoenix 2 weeks ago and missed both games because my sister doesn't get FSAZ and I was blacked out on NHL.TV.

 

[Bondurant]

No cable and I cannot watch on ESPN+ due to local blackout. I downloaded all of the stupid apps they require to attend games (including a new Coyotes app that could not be accessed directly via Play Store) but no one at the ticket office answers the phone and they never return messages. Yet the keep sending ticket pitches via e-mail that all contain the same number they never answer. I understand things are crazy this year but at the same time you have to wonder if crap like this is part of the problem. They can never get their act together internally.

 

[rt]

While I’m watching fewer non-Coyotes games then ever (zero) I am listening to tons of National hockey podcasts.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

I haven't watched any Coyotes games start-to-finish this season, because I don't have cable. I've listened on the radio most often (and occasionally get glimpses of video by other means). I've been more interested in hearing Lyndsey Fry get involved in the broadcasts than anything else.

I'm nowhere near the level of addicted that I was when I had my season tickets, and I've already made a few trips to Goodwill to offload some stuff like McFarlane figures and old sweaters and such. I just got tired of the endless cycle of misery that seems to attend the paying customers of this franchise. My interest in the team remains but I haven't spent any money on the Coyotes or the NHL in a couple of years now, after spending 15 years subsidizing what amounted to personal anguish, like some sad masochist.

 

[MIGs Dog]

With cord-cutting becoming a national pastime, the rights/blackout rules need to be modified. I understand that broadcasters pay big $$$ for the rights, but a revenue-sharing type deal could be set up so that if I'm watching on NHL.TV the cable provider gets a royalty. Similar to how Babymetal gets a fraction of a penny every time I watch one of their videos on Youtube.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

I haven't watched any Coyotes games start-to-finish this season, because I don't have cable. I've listened on the radio most often (and occasionally get glimpses of video by other means). I've been more interested in hearing Lyndsey Fry get involved in the broadcasts than anything else.

I'm nowhere near the level of addicted that I was when I had my season tickets, and I've already made a few trips to Goodwill to offload some stuff like McFarlane figures and old sweaters and such. I just got tired of the endless cycle of misery that seems to attend the paying customers of this franchise. My interest in the team remains but I haven't spent any money on the Coyotes or the NHL in a couple of years now, after spending 15 years subsidizing what amounted to personal anguish, like some sad masochist.

Subsidy is right. They called me years ago wanting charity money, I told them the Coyotes were my charity - have not heard back, but did get a chuckle.

 

[GiveAFlyingPuck]

 

[RemoAZ]

I've only missed a few games because of work. I've had them going on my phone but can only pay attention between customers. I haven't had cable or any pay TV in over a decade. PM me if you'd like links to watch the games online.

 

[TheLegend]

Nothing's changed here...

Work schedule prevents me from watching games on TV or live but I still listen on the radio (crappy reception and all) and take in the replay on FSA after I get off work.

 

[moosemeister]

I've only missed two games I think this year. Apple TV + DNS + NHL TV has been a god send. I watch a lot of other games now because of this, even though most of it is background noise while I get other stuff done.

We paid for 4 mini suites this year too. I've bought three reverse retros for the family. I think my fandom is higher than ever as far as spend goes.

That said, this will probably be my last season for a while spending this much with a newborn on the way.

 

[Tom Polakis]

I am fast losing interest in this team, and like many here, have been living here and following them since the beginning. I am as fanatic about hockey as I ever was, but the phrase Feckless made above "like some sad masochist" rings true. I invest so much emotion into them, and the team couldn't be any less entertaining to watch, and without much future promise. So screw them; I'll just watch other teams, and appreciate the hockey.

I don't know if mentioning this is against the forum rules, but I unapologetically watch "free" streams of any game I want until someone comes up with fair pricing with no blackouts for a la carte sports TV. So these days I watch games involving actually entertaining teams like the Caps, Oilers, and even the Avs. If the Coyotes return to their form of the first dozen games this season, I'll return, but until then, I'm proudly a shitty fan. Hell, this seems like it may be a good year to start watching the Suns again.

 

[BigJCaRoach]

Same viewing habits regarding the yotes, hardcore fandom, as always. Raise that blood pressure . Also been to a fair bit of games already this year. More than last season already.

Also splurged and bought center ice package. It’s been fun watching the out-of-markets this year. Feels like American League baseball or something catching Panthers or Canes or the North Division games.

 

[RemoAZ]

Same viewing habits regarding the yotes, hardcore fandom, as always. Raise that blood pressure . Also been to a fair bit of games already this year. More than last season already.

Also splurged and bought center ice package. It’s been fun watching the out-of-markets this year. Feels like American League baseball or something catching Panthers or Canes or the North Division games.

I want to go to a game but I just can't wrap my head around sucking on a mask the whole time. Bad enough I have to wear one at work and going to the grocery store. I haven't been out at all since the mask crap has started. Last thing I need is to get a few drinks in me and have some mask nazi tell me I'm not wearing it right or to pull it up or whatever they do. Props to you for going though. The definitely need all the ticket revenue they can get.

 

[Edenjung]

I can only watch sporadically, because i am european.
But nontheless i try to watch every game.

 

[Jagged Ice]

I only watch highlights of the Coyotes thanks to blackouts, but I've never watched more NHL games than I am this year. I'm completely obsessed with the North division and watch at least one Canadian matchup every night. Maybe because we'll never see an all Canada division again.

 

[Matias Maccete]

I've watched 2 games this year, highlights of maybe 10. My "give a f***" has run out quicker in each of the last 4 seasons so it's not a brand new thing, but it's still getting worse not better. Really the only reason I bothered to watch 2 were the off-season moves, especially finally ejecting Stepan.

 

[Sinurgy]

Happy to hear most of you are still carrying the torch. I think I'll get back to it when life slows down, sports gets normal and the NHL gets their shit together in regards to streaming options.

 

[Sinurgy]

I have active subscriptions to NHL, AHL, and WHL. Life is good. Coyotes have been fun to watch as well.

I watch every Yotes game I can. Ironically, I was in Phoenix 2 weeks ago and missed both games because my sister doesn't get FSAZ and I was blacked out on NHL.TV.

See this is what I'm talking about, it's soooo much easier to watch the Coyotes if you don't live here which is f***ing dumb!