Cheerleading's a Symptom of Inherent Weakness

This past weekend, golf fans lamented the coverage of the L. A. Open at Riviera on CBS. Shots were not shown, many shown on tape, and some of the leaders were not even telecast while they were in contention. In addition, more ads were shown per hour. It felt, to many, different.

Today, Geoff Shackelford referenced a podcast with newly-fired (and the very-excellent, in my view) CBS on-course commentator Peter Kostis.

Some hot takes:

• "It was the tour that told CBS to get younger, I think the Tour had an issue with me not being a cheerleader"
• “The Tour wants more control over what’s being said. I think they want more cheerleaders on the telecasts. More people that are going to “promote the Tour’s product,” you know which, we’re bridging into the stuff that people are really upset about: the quality of the telecast. 
• ”They are interested in the marketing of the product, not the quality of the product.”
• The PGA Tour doesn't give a rat's ass about the quality of the telecast, they don't care about the quality of the viewer experience.

The PGA Tour gets much-money from TV, and is currently negotiating a new TV deal. As well, they get money from FedEx to push the end of year FedEx Cup, which many it appears, including myself, don't care much about. 

It again appears, according to this interview, the younger demos, perhaps gambling, and promoting companies during telecasts is what the PGA thinks is their future. 

What seems most apparent, is what they don't think is their future - the golf. 

Horse racing seems to have gone through this exact same thing. 

The sport is about promotion, and marketing, and hats and drinks and buses. It seems to be everything except gambling. And if you aren't cheerleading the first statement, you'll find yourself blocked on twitter or called a name that rhymes with rope. 

I wish the PGA tons of luck with this new strategy. From our experience in horse racing, I think they're gonna need it. 

Have a nice Wednesday everyone.