For some reason I've never thought a calibrated picture would make much of a difference watching sports, but I watch a lot of US sports and the bright colours of the uniforms against the field looks fantastic. Whether its bright sunshine or the floodlights, the colours really pop and contrast. Just watching the 49ers vs the Packers game and the yellow helmets/pants and the red on white looks vivid, but natural as well. Very happy.
Also, I've watched 7 NFL and College games over the last few days with a score bug & ticker, a green field and lots of panning and:
1) Had no problems with IR.
2) Never noticed the "band" when watching normally. If I stare at the very right of the screen I see it occasionally, but then again I don't do that when I watch tv, so it's not a problem. Just watching the tv it just isn't noticeable.
It's like saying "It hurts when I punch myself in the knackers!" Well don't punch yourself in the knackers then!!!! Stop staring at the right edge of the screen and just watch the picture normally.