Just like NASCAR inking a deal with ESPN, just like Paris Hilton coming out with a single, just like the Michael Jackson-Lisa Marie union and Octomom: sometimes “more” doesn’t simply translate into “too much”. Sometimes “more” exposes the fraud and thinly veiled motives that guide high profile people and their narcissistic needs. And so it is with Jerry Jones and his media effort at the new Cowboys Stadium. Namely, the video boards that hover over the field.

Don’t get me wrong, I like 60 yards of high def screen trying to imprint my brain with sponsor’s plugs as much as the next person. I also know that the NFL, despite trying to limit its fans to 2 alcoholic bevvies per game and scaled-back tailgating opportunities, is an entertainment operation. So, yes, I’m aware that I can expect a highly-produced, team-friendly music and video assault upon entering the arena. We’ve also all become accustomed to the stretched-out television presentation: commercials (look out for that 4-hour erection) and network cross-promotion (’The Medium’, anyone?) hammering away at our psyche for literally the better part of 3 hours.

But when it interferes with the play of the game, it’s gone too far.

Does anyone remember the roving camera that actually fell onto the field during a 2007 Seahawks-Saints game? That annoying distraction is just a mere fraction of the bad decision that is the Cowboys Stadium video board.

During its debut Friday night in a Cowboys-Titans preseason game, the New York Times reported that the video boards were used for target practice “before and during” the game. And they were hitting it.

How is that possible, you ask?

Because, of course, the video boards are too low. Being 25 yards high, it’s not that hard to imagine that they might get in the way. Sure, they are 5 feet above the league minimum of 85 feet, but they are still in the way.

Think Tampa-Bay-Ray-catwalk in the way. But unlike the catwalks and other quirks at Tropicana Field, the video boards are in a brand new stadium. New!

The Rays organization asks for fan and player patience as they try to play their way into a big-boy stadium. In the meantime, ground-rule doubles can be created and home runs can be snatched away from a deserving slugger on the whim of a bounce against the structure. But at least they know that those quirks will be something to avoid in a new structure. Or will they?

This is the latest craze in newly-constructed, taxpayer-subsidized stadiums: don’t worry about the product on the field or the experience at the arena, just be quiet and kindly buy our stuff. Can’t see at the new Yankees Stadium because of your obstructed view? Go to the Mohegan and have a few $12 beers and watch the game on one of the 300 televisions there. Can’t find the water fountain for a drink (because there were none planned for in the original construction..hmmm)? Just go buy one at concessions. Did you fail to find a parking spot at the new Washington Nationals Stadium? Just take the shuttle and be sure to watch your head as you go under the overpass.

Jerry Jones, the self-appointed King-of-all-Cowboys-Media, set the level of the video boards himself. Fitting that the man most interested in bringing the media experience levels to an all-time saturation point for the Cowboys would miss the mark with his ‘first in space’ campaign in HD.

Honestly, if the Cowboys can’t win a playoff game this year, will anyone be watching anymore anyway?

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 at 11:50 pm and is filed under Fantoo Blog Home. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.