Well, now what?

This is where competitive cheer will step into the breach.

 

Big Air Dogs!

 

This could be a real door-opener for whoever wins the U.S. Open. Tiger's not there, Phil can't get over the hump and a lot of eyes will be tuned in. Maybe Andy Murray will finally win at Wimbledon? This could be the summer for a lot of niche sports to break through.

 

Fat chance. I don't think the league's marketing departments are wise enough to take advantage of any sort of opening in the traditional American sports calendar.

 

Seattle, Portland and Vancouver don't have a problem drawing fans.

 

That's because those cities are filled with displaced wannabe Eurotrash.

 

There's always hockey! At least through tomorrow (and maybe Thursday morning ET).

 

These idiots are finding out how incredibly hard families are struggling to afford their overpriced "entertainment."

 

In non-Olympic years, I found the slowdown really hits about the first week in July, after Wimbledon is over.

In June, you have the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals, US Open golf, College World Series and a smattering of high-school season-ending and all-star events to keep your mind (and pages) occupied. July is more of a challenge. Football is still 4-6 weeks away, baseball drags on like an assembly line, and the golf tournament (with the exception of the British Open) are mundane. CFL season starts, which draws some interest in some pockets; ditto for MLS.

But I think July is the slowest month on the sports calendar. At my last shop, we had a short-season minor-league baseball team, which while not really exciting, at least provided some diversion.

 

Maybe the teachers. What about the rest of us?

 

Poin will take care of the rest of us.

 

This is the opening that hurling has been looking for.