Television ratings for NBC's broadcast of the Kentucky Derby were up 12 percent from last year and tied for the highest for the Run for the Roses since 1992. I can explain why in one word: Barbaro.Although I tuned in to the Kentucky Derby wanting to see anything but a treacly tribute to the deceased 2006 winner, I realize that I'm in the minority. Barbaro captured the attention of millions of fans, and those are the people who tuned into this year's Derby, hoping they'd see features about Barbaro and hoping another horse would inspire them like he did.
Inspiring fans by killing off your most popular athlete isn't a model I encourage the management of other sports to follow, but it certainly worked for horse racing.
Previously at FanHouse:
Street Sense Wins Kentucky Derby
Barbaro Tribute Set for Kentucky Derby
Brother of Barbaro Born
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-14-2007 @ 8:15AM
francois said...
Oh Yes! Sports Fans...no doubt Barbaro will remain
in the spirit of racing forever. It will forever be, however, my contention that Barbaro's injury came from
being stepped on during the race may need revisiting.
I see a mangle of legs and the usual shoving or moving over at the start then the crippling, the sadness.
Do not recall any close-ups via TV on this part???
Francois
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