📡 Inside the fascinating relationship between ESPN and Alabama

[JoshB]

So, I dont get where this fantasy land of "I just want my sports without any social or political talk" comes from.

There are more than a handful of sports reporters I follow on Twitter because I want to know what their opinions are on the sports they cover--the job they're paid to do, right? So, when I look over some Twitter feeds and see guys--on both sides of the aisle--delve into political commentary it does get on my nerves.

On the same note, while I'll listen to what Joe Scarborough has to say about some political issues I don't want his opinion on sports. It's not his cup of tea. The same applies to the news desk anchor on Fox who is an Ole Miss fan (his name is escaping me.)

Most of the people that have a problem with it, don't actually have a problem with the political talk. They just have a problem with the fact that most of the time its not the opinion they share. Same as when people whine about basketball players "just need to shut up and dribble" but the minute an athlete or celebrity shares a political belief in line with their own they can't stop talking about it.

And here's where I think you're missing a point. Issues, as well as people who have differing political opinions, are not treated equally.

It's ironic you mention Laura Ingraham's quote, "shut up and dribble" when we didn't see much, if anything, from Lavar Ball telling a female reporter to "stay in her lane."

Here's a case of a person who should have been taken to task if we're going to hold each person equally responsible for what they're saying. Yet, in this case, we didn't. Whether it's a fact that is appreciated or not, it's a case of discriminating on which story they were going to focus on.

But like you said, the majority of shows on ESPN are strictly sports based. E:60 (though they bring social issues into some of the stories), all of the SEC Storied and 30 for 30 documentaries, etc. are some of my favorite shows on TV. Right up there with HBO Real Sports in terms of docu series type stuff.

I'm surprised I forgot OTL when I made that list. But, we're also talking about Bob Ley who has always been a consummate professional in my experience despite the stories he's reported on.

I like reading plenty of sports reporters takes on sports but couldnt care less about what they're political views are. I have no issue with anyone espousing those. It doesn't take much effort for me to scroll past it.

Really? Because I saw Lavar get ripped to shreds for that ignorant comment. That wasn't a very good example. But he turned it into a freaking t-shirt because he doesn't seem to give a damn what any of us think of him. Cam Newton also got ripped to shreds for saying its "funny" to hear "a girl talk about pass routes."

Might want to find a better example of "discrimination" there, Terry. Notice you didnt mention how Clay Travis gets to go out and spew whatever racist bullshit he wants to a national platform with little to no push back. Hell, the only "push back" he's received is over his moron "boobs" comment last year.

 

[TerryP]

Really? Because I saw Lavar get ripped to shreds for that ignorant comment.

I saw no such thing and I'll wager I watch as much of the networks as anyone. Perhaps, I just missed the coverage.

Might want to find a better example of "discrimination" there, Terry. Notice you didnt mention how Clay Travis gets to go out and spew whatever racist bullshit he wants to a national platform with little to no push back. Hell, the only "push back" he's received is over his moron "boobs" comment last year.

Notice I also said "there are reporters that I follow because I want to know their opinions." Another example of discrimination here--this time, discriminating taste. His is not an opinion I want to hear or place any value.

I've said on more than one occasion I respect Travis for the success he's had in his field. He's no different than Finebaum in that regard. Or, a better example may be one found with Jerry Springer. They're all very successful at what they do in their respective fields. However, respect for accomplishment and respect for content are two different things. (Finebaum probably doesn't belong in this conversation. His content, not those of his callers, is worth a listen the majority of the time.)

 

[TUSKtimes]

Notice I also said "there are reporters that I follow because I want to know their opinions." Another example of discrimination here--this time, discriminating taste. His is not an opinion I want to hear or place any value.

I've said on more than one occasion I respect Travis for the success he's had in his field. He's no different than Finebaum in that regard. Or, a better example may be one found with Jerry Springer. They're all very successful at what they do in their respective fields. However, respect for accomplishment and respect for content are two different things. (Finebaum probably doesn't belong in this conversation. His content, not those of his callers, is worth a listen the majority of the time.)

Finebaum is a smart dude. So much so that it makes you wonder how well thought out his content actually is. His interviews are high quality as a whole. I have wondered about the consistency of his callers though. Let's suppose for a moment that he didn't cater big time to the bi-poplar group of sports fandom. The Jim's from Tuscaloosa, Tammy's, Daryl's of Georgia and so on. Would his product be even more enjoyable or would the average Joe simply tune out? It's difficult for me to believe he actually enjoys all the screaming and idiotic comments about everyone's favorite team. Personally, I couldn't hold up for a segment with these screwballs. I just wonder if he actually prioritized his callers according to sanity if anyone would actually watch that show? I don't believe Paul thinks so. Which is kinda sad.

 

[JoshB]

Really? Because I saw Lavar get ripped to shreds for that ignorant comment.

I saw no such thing and I'll wager I watch as much of the networks as anyone. Perhaps, I just missed the coverage.

Might want to find a better example of "discrimination" there, Terry. Notice you didnt mention how Clay Travis gets to go out and spew whatever racist bullshit he wants to a national platform with little to no push back. Hell, the only "push back" he's received is over his moron "boobs" comment last year.

Notice I also said "there are reporters that I follow because I want to know their opinions." Another example of discrimination here--this time, discriminating taste. His is not an opinion I want to hear or place any value.

I've said on more than one occasion I respect Travis for the success he's had in his field. He's no different than Finebaum in that regard. Or, a better example may be one found with Jerry Springer. They're all very successful at what they do in their respective fields. However, respect for accomplishment and respect for content are two different things. (Finebaum probably doesn't belong in this conversation. His content, not those of his callers, is worth a listen the majority of the time.)

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And there is nothing to respect about a troll. Clay Travis is a perfect example of the problems with social media turning trolls into celebrities.