I don't watch golf, so I don't know what happened there.
I watch about 110-120 MLB games per year, as much college football that is realistically possible and same with NFL. I also watch college basketball.
My rules for watching, regardless of team, even if it is my favorite:
1. no pregame. No fucks given.
2. no postgame. Upon the final whistle, channel is changed or TV is turned off. I don't want to hear what anyone has to say.
3. Halftime- muted or change to another game. Time to grab a sammich or beer or fold clothes. Anything besides listen to the talking heads.
4. Very little sports talk during the week. I have listened to about an hour total of Colin Cowherd on the season, and he generally avoids the bullshit.
I couldn't tell you which games the alleged dignitaries have attended or refused. I hope they stay away because it further disrupts things for the real fans.
Attending a game in person, I will always stand for the SSB and any prayer or moment of silence. It's just how I'm wired. I don't expect that from anyone else, and I respect that it's their deal too. I will agree that at a certain point things feel much more "forced" than they used to. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I definitely feel the vibe being discussed in the thread at live events.