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Small-Scale Question Sunday for November 13, 2022

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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We're not at the point where Philly cares about the Union half as much as it cares as about Eagles, but there are people who really do cheer on the team these days.

Something I was chatting with a friend about the other day is how a zoomed out national picture of sports where one just looks at the first page of USA Today Sports or watches Sportscenter will tend to miss the delightful tapestry of things around the country that people actually care about a lot. The most obvious starting points are sports that are major, but regional, like NASCAR. The trigger for the conversation was that here in Madison, WI, parking was difficult and bars were full for college women's volleyball. The team keeps packing our arena full to 17,000 fans and more are watching at bars around town. Who knew? There are a ton of these things around the country, with pockets of lacrosse enthusiasm, endurance sports fanatics, CrossFit games, and so on. I suppose I don't have much of a point, other than that it's actually fine if it turns out soccer doesn't compete with the NFL - it can still be profitable and popular.

I agree! I'm perpetually shocked that the broad availability of professional grade cameras and the means to stream it live, combined with the apparatus to discuss and publicize product, hasn't lead to an explosion in Livestreamed obscure sports. The combination of digital distribution channels and the podcast ecosystem means the tyrrany of tv station tastemakers should be over.

Broadcast amateur boxing, Muay Thai, college rowing, high school volleyball on YouTube. Maybe it is out there and I just haven't found it.