Red Vs. Blue

"ARROWHEAD STADIUM: HOME OF THE CHIEFS! 116 DECIBELS! NO ENEMY WINS HERE!" I remember words like that, I remember those good old days of the 1990s Kansas City Chiefs. Thomas, Montana, Smith, Shields, Gonzales. All names of my childhood. I remember the waiting list for season tickets went for miles and miles, third at one point only to the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. I remember going to my first game in 1994, the excitement of seeing a game in person. I remember the noise, deafening, nonstop pain nearly.

Those days are dead, forever. The growth of football has taken the 116 decibels away forever, can't disturb the club level (if they are even in their seats) after all. I usually attend a game or two with my dad every year now days. I was there last Sunday, the Bengals completely destroyed the lack wit RAC led squad, but the main issue just wasn't there. The tailgating atmosphere was gone, replaced with either frat boys in other team's jerseys or long time season ticket holders who still hold blind faith that once Pioli is fired, everything will turn around. False faith, but something nonetheless.

My dad and I had about 5 empty seats to share between us, the inhabitants nowhere in sight, must have been in the club level. I remember he stretched over to exclaim to me at one point, "This feels like the late 70s and 80s, the atmosphere, the play, awful." And Arrowhead was. Those Monday Night Football games sounded and looked great the last two seasons didn't they? They still didn't compare to 80k+ standing room nonstop noise of the old days. Pounding on your seats is way too easy when there is 10 empty ones around you.

Which brings me to my point: They couldn't have picked a worse time to suck. The NFL will always make money, the Chiefs will always make money. Anyone thinking that the Save the Chiefs blackout campaign could mount any success is a complete ignorant moron. Dent their pockets by not filling them while going to the game, paying $27 to park, $8 beers, and food on top of that. Spread the wealth on the other football, yeah, the one your buddy at work told you to come to.

I'm entering my 4th season as a season ticket holder with Sporting Kansas City this upcoming season, and I've never been happier. Silverware at long last, that delicious tease of near MLS Cup pride, the potential long term runs at even more domestic and international cups. In the winter, and I came close to getting season tickets for this as well, the Comets are there. Cheap beer before the game, the wackiest unnerving game I've ever seen sure, but at least they're winning and care about their fans. Hell, we'll have two women's soccer teams next season, even if FC Kansas City is the most uninspiring name they could have come up with.

I suppose this is more of a rambling Jack Harry-esque opinion piece than a blog, but hell, here we go. Clark Hunt, I'm not going to lie, I'm not leaving. I enjoy football, I still enjoy tailgating at Arrowhead, I still love walking up between the concrete pillars up to the common man's section. But when your people call, begging me at this point to buy season tickets, I won't listen. I will continue to buy my tickets from Stubhub or from friend's, completely cutting out that potential extra revenue that you might make. My days of merchandise purchases are on hold from here on out.

All we ever wanted was a team to enjoy. 2010 got awfully close but turned out to a short term red herring. Spend the money, splurge on players and front office staff. Stop using the Small Market excuse, you're making tons regardless because of NFL rules. I want to see your snide snarky ass lifting the Lombardi Trophy, don't you want that?

Until then, I become one of those casual fans. I'll still watch games at home until the blowouts worsen or blackouts happen. Redzone being available has been a wonder this season, making complete ignorance of the Chiefs that much easier. If you can chance your ways, you can reach me at M8, Member's Stand/Cauldron, Livestrong Sporting Park, 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS 66111. Just look for the guy with the beard and the US Open Cup next to him, you know what that looks like, you lost the chance of having one in Seattle a few years back while you were wearing yellow.