The Flyers are back in a stadium series game. Next season, they will play the Devils at Metlife Stadium as part of a series that will also include an Islanders Rangers game. The last time the Flyers played one of these outdoor games was back in 2021 when they got rolled by the Bruins in Nevada in an ugly 7-3 game. Given how good the Devils were this past year, and the fact the Flyers are going into a rebuild, the result may not be much prettier in this game.
The thing is, these Stadium Series games, kind of suck. Hockey does not lend itself well to being played outdoors. The ice always kind of sucks. The games are never that interesting. Weather can often play a factor. If you are at the game the views are never that great. The Stadium Series sounds great on paper, but in practice it is often disappointing. It was cool when it was unique. Like when it was just the Winter Classic. But now they do it too much. Do we really need a team like the Flyers, who won’t be good next year, in one of these games?
Which had me thinking, what are some other sporting events that either lack the luster they used to have, or were never that great to begin with? The things that their league plays up like they are a big deal, but in reality, just are not that much fun to watch.
From All-Star Games, to Award Shows, to one-off events, and more. These events just don’t get it done. Here are 11 sporting events other than The Stadium Series that just are not that good.
Rose Bowl, And All College Bowl Games That Aren't The Playoffs
Ever since they instituted the playoffs, every other Bowl game just lacks any luster. The Rose Bowl used to be a big deal. Did anyone other than Penn State or Utah fans care about it last year? They have taken to calling the first games in the Playoffs The Peach Bowl and The Fiesta Bowl. So those Bowl games still matter. But that is only because those games decide who advances to the Championship game. The Orange Bowl, the Rose Bowl, and all those other Bowls that used to be a big deal, they don’t matter much anymore though.
A lot of the best players don’t even play in them anymore. The guys projected to go high, often opt out. Because why would they risk injury in what is essentially an exhibition game now?
The NCAA should do something to fix this. It is a shame The Rose Bowl doesn’t have the same luster it used to. It’s been reduced to being no better than the random bowls like the Belko Bowl or The Pinstripe Bowl. But for now, the draw just isn’t there.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Every All-Star Game
Why do All-Star Games suck so badly? Seeing the best of the best compete against each other should be fun. But in every league, it has become kind of a joke. No one tries in any of them. Which again, is fair enough considering its an exhibition and why would you risk injury to gain nothing? But that fact doesn’t make these games any more fun to watch. The Pro Bowl was so bad they got rid of it. No defense is played in the NBA game. The NHL is not much better.
MLB used to be the lone standout. But now that it no longer decides home-field, it isn’t much fun either. Not saying that they should make it determine home-field advantage again. But now that its just another exhibition game, there is no reason for the players to try, or for the fans to care.
(Photo by Kyle Terada – Pool/Getty Images)
