Editorial

Why Did The Sports Media Become Weak And Neutered?

ESPN Logo (Credit: Shutterstock)

David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
Font Size:

The sports media seems to be getting weaker and softer with every passing minute, and it’s getting ridiculously annoying.

The latest example of this was Monday when ESPN canceled “Barstool Van Talk” after only a single episode because of inappropriate jokes made three years ago.

It’s had me doing a lot of thinking about why sports media is such a joke. You can’t turn on ESPN without having to hear somebody imply that you’re a racist if you don’t support Colin Kaepernick. ESPN pundit Jemele Hill even straight up called President Trump a white supremacist. We’re witnessing insanity.

Am I the only one in the media who will to tell these NFL millionaire cry babies to shut the hell up while in uniform and focus on playing some football? At times it certainly feels that way. I don’t remember anybody on ESPN hammering the network’s decision to praise Caitlyn/Bruce Jenner as a hero, even when he clearly isn’t and likely needs serious mental health help.

And how could anybody forget the thrashing John McEnroe got when he made a factual statement about how Serena Williams couldn’t hang with the top men?

It’s almost like the entire sports media world forgot who they serve. The average sports fan is a beer loving American, who doesn’t want nonstop politics injected into sports coverage. I know this because I have spent my entire life in the sports world. I know fans all over the political spectrum, but none of them enjoy the garbage we’re seeing now.

You’d think Shaun King represented your average sports fan from the way the media covers the subjects.

I was in a Washington D.C. bar several months ago when a guy told me he thought I might be the only person with a conservative voice in the media doing what I do. He couldn’t find another example off the top of head doing what I’m doing.

It’d be easy to get intoxicated by the thought, but why would I? I’m doing what your average Miller Lite drinking and football watching guy would do in my shoes. I bring you guys a few humorous takes about sports, drop in a couple bikini-clad women, trash the wussification of this country, talk a little bit about movies, crack open a cold one and call it a day.

How did we get to the situation where I’m apparently the last cowboy left in this industry? I have no idea, but it’s sad as hell.

It’s time for the sports media members to reach their hands deep down into their pants, take a quick grab and make sure their balls still exist. The industry is doing 100 mph towards a cliff right now, but we could still save this circus if we manage to hit the brakes and throw it in reverse quick enough.

Follow David on Twitter