About the fans

Fans in stadiums account for a minuscule portion of the audience for whom athletes perform. It's the global TV audiences from which sports bodies derive their revenues

Every time a major tournament has been held after the world locked down for Covid-19, the sports world has erupted over the issue of whether fans should or should not be allowed in stadiums. The Tokyo Olympics have sensibly decided to keep them away. That’s the way it should be till the pandemic abates. Of course, there’ll be rumbles of discontent from commentators, sports industry execs and, occasionally, the players. Sure, fans in stadiums add an element of excitement, they buoy athletes — and they contribute handsomely to stadium revenues when they buy merchandise, food and drink. But are they