Sports Journalism
I don't want to say that April was boring in the sports world. That is not my intention. The college basketball national championship, which is always exciting, started the month. The beginning of baseball also spurred sporting interests through a relatively mundane regular season in basketball. Then the NBA started its playoffs. This far, the playoffs have been good...compared to last year. Yes, last year was all about the blowouts and this year seems more competitive. Then there was the NFL draft complete with its fair share of surprises.
But really, what is the stories? Where are the angles?
I've thought about discussing my extreme distaste for physical violence perpetrating the NBA. But my annoyances will be saved for another day.
I've thought about bringing up the Stanley Cup playoffs. But my knowledge is limited there (though I am more excited about it) and that topic doesn't bring in readers (not like I have a huge readership to begin with.....we should change this).
But I think there is something a bit deeper that I need to discuss if only out of catharsis.
Recent reports have surfaced about the amount of money being spent on certain events and the income or revenue for the sports media is suffering. This climaxed as ESPN, "The Worldwide Leader in Sports," sent dozens of employees walking. These surprising layoff hit veterans and rookies alike with most having about seven years of experience.
I write about sports. That's what this blog is. I also write for another (more professional) blog. Sports journalism is often in my mind as a way to make my living going forward. These layoffs scare me.
But what is the cause?
I can't be certain but I do wonder about some factors.
First, I wonder if sports are losing popularity. This is hard to believe since the Super Bowl is still the highest grossing game ever. Athletes are still revered and idolized by the youth of the nation. Games are still the topics of many table conversations I've been a part of (and I did not instigate them). But it is interesting that some sports coverages feel the need to cater to larger markets. There is a reason we always see the Warriors on TV. They are good. The Lakers have found their way to TV screens semi often as well...and they are terrible. In baseball, rarely will you see a game that does not include the Yankees, Red Sox, or Dodgers. Don't believe me? Just look at ESPN's pick for televised games this week (Apr 30-May 6).
Maybe it's not that sports are less popular but that the way coverages cater to some markets excludes a larger nationwide market that likes to see diversity.
Could it possibly be the sports that are lacking? My last post talked about how boring the NBA was this season. And prior to the season I wrote in hope that it wouldn't be. I was wrong. I'm sad I was wrong. Few people (comparatively) follow hockey. Baseball is hanging in there but even the commissioner's office, with the encouragement of Bryce Harper, is trying to make baseball fun again. The NFL is still the NFL, but I'm kinda tired of seeing the Patriots win every year. The teams at the top rarely circulate, aside from the NFC South.
What can sports do to excite viewers? How can they be more exciting? I don't have the exact answer but my initial thought leads me to ponder and examine why things have declined. Super teams, maybe? The Warriors and the Cavs always win. Durant goes to Golden State. Cavs have their own Big 3. Their dominance disavows the fans.
These are businesses though. Each team, though subject to the leagues, have their own owners. They want to make money. Super teams and player hoarding make money. The goal is to win and the good teams keep winning. I cannot fault teams for doing their business duty. Making money and winning.
It just creates a vacuum that essentially excludes the fans. But this can't go on too long without major consequences overflowing out of the meadow and into the teams' pocketbooks.
There are other factors I could discuss (injuries, over bearing parents forcing kids to be in sports, only focus on on sports, etc.), but this is a debatable topic that I would love to see discussed among professionals. I just have on Harper-esque plea:
MAKE SPORTS FUN AGAIN.
But really, what is the stories? Where are the angles?
I've thought about discussing my extreme distaste for physical violence perpetrating the NBA. But my annoyances will be saved for another day.
I've thought about bringing up the Stanley Cup playoffs. But my knowledge is limited there (though I am more excited about it) and that topic doesn't bring in readers (not like I have a huge readership to begin with.....we should change this).
But I think there is something a bit deeper that I need to discuss if only out of catharsis.
Recent reports have surfaced about the amount of money being spent on certain events and the income or revenue for the sports media is suffering. This climaxed as ESPN, "The Worldwide Leader in Sports," sent dozens of employees walking. These surprising layoff hit veterans and rookies alike with most having about seven years of experience.
I write about sports. That's what this blog is. I also write for another (more professional) blog. Sports journalism is often in my mind as a way to make my living going forward. These layoffs scare me.
But what is the cause?
I can't be certain but I do wonder about some factors.
First, I wonder if sports are losing popularity. This is hard to believe since the Super Bowl is still the highest grossing game ever. Athletes are still revered and idolized by the youth of the nation. Games are still the topics of many table conversations I've been a part of (and I did not instigate them). But it is interesting that some sports coverages feel the need to cater to larger markets. There is a reason we always see the Warriors on TV. They are good. The Lakers have found their way to TV screens semi often as well...and they are terrible. In baseball, rarely will you see a game that does not include the Yankees, Red Sox, or Dodgers. Don't believe me? Just look at ESPN's pick for televised games this week (Apr 30-May 6).
Maybe it's not that sports are less popular but that the way coverages cater to some markets excludes a larger nationwide market that likes to see diversity.
Could it possibly be the sports that are lacking? My last post talked about how boring the NBA was this season. And prior to the season I wrote in hope that it wouldn't be. I was wrong. I'm sad I was wrong. Few people (comparatively) follow hockey. Baseball is hanging in there but even the commissioner's office, with the encouragement of Bryce Harper, is trying to make baseball fun again. The NFL is still the NFL, but I'm kinda tired of seeing the Patriots win every year. The teams at the top rarely circulate, aside from the NFC South.
What can sports do to excite viewers? How can they be more exciting? I don't have the exact answer but my initial thought leads me to ponder and examine why things have declined. Super teams, maybe? The Warriors and the Cavs always win. Durant goes to Golden State. Cavs have their own Big 3. Their dominance disavows the fans.
These are businesses though. Each team, though subject to the leagues, have their own owners. They want to make money. Super teams and player hoarding make money. The goal is to win and the good teams keep winning. I cannot fault teams for doing their business duty. Making money and winning.
It just creates a vacuum that essentially excludes the fans. But this can't go on too long without major consequences overflowing out of the meadow and into the teams' pocketbooks.
There are other factors I could discuss (injuries, over bearing parents forcing kids to be in sports, only focus on on sports, etc.), but this is a debatable topic that I would love to see discussed among professionals. I just have on Harper-esque plea:
MAKE SPORTS FUN AGAIN.
Comments
Post a Comment