When Sports Commentary Goes Too Far...

Sports commentary has become one of the most popular concepts in today's world. Whether it be on television, radio or online everybody has there opinion and wants to share it to a huge audience. The question is when does sports commentary go too far? When does is become obscene and at what point is it just for ratings?

ESPN is the worldwide leader in sports commentary. Shows such as Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption (PTI) have gained a phenomenal following. These shows are described by ESPN to "featur[e] passionate opinions on the day's hot-button issues." They battle everyday about wins and loss as well as off the field incidents. But when it comes to personal issues that many may consider unrelated to the sport sometimes these journalists go too far. One such example is the sudden passing of Washington Redskin and former University of Miami Hurricane Sean Taylor.

This was obviously the story of the day, both on the front and back pages of the paper. But the way that the personalities of ESPN's PTI handled this tragic story was horrendous. Before word of his passing came the two both stated that the worst part of it all was that they were "not surprised." Although athletes may have their dark pasts when an athlete is in a time of need and their family deserves support what right to journalists have to judge and individual in their final days. If Taylor was not an athlete and simply an "average Joe" would it be acceptable for a news commentary organization to say something of that sort.

There is a thin line that journalist walk. In this case it simply went too far.

Controversy and Scandal… Good or Bad for Sports?

A few weeks ago, I’m sitting in the UC and the group of people next to me is reliving the two 53 yard field goals made by Nick Folk (the first one negated by a last second Bills timeout) during the Cowboys- Bills game (October 8, 2007). The controversial attempt at “freezing out” Folk generated a lot of talk about fairness and what attracts people to watching sports. Back to me sitting in the UC; one of the people said sports today is all about controversy, not the actual game and people get tired of it. Someone else in the group disagreed, saying sport fans thrive off controversy. It occurs to me that both people are right.

First, it is important to differentiate between controversy and scandal. Controversy usually refers to plays or calls during a game while scandal usually refers to events outside the game. For example, the last second timeout during the Cowboys- Bills game or the late Browns field goal that bounced off the uprights and then fell over the crossbar are controversial. Situations like Spygate, Isiah Washington, Pacman Jones, and Dennis Franchione are all scandals.

Controversy and scandal have both drawbacks and positives. When one team is constantly surronded by controversial calls, the average fan begins to think about things like conspiracy theories. Unless they are true die hards, they may become discouraged and lose interest in the team. For someone not devoted to the particular team, there may be increased interest to see what interesting things happen in the next game. Some people say that controversy causes people to lose interest in the game because they just want to watch for the love of the game. I think controversy makes the game more interesting and challenging. It gives people something to talk about and a chance to commiserate or celebrate. Scandals, depending on what they are tend to turn off fans but when they motivate players (like the Patriots this season) it makes for spectacular games. Also, minus a select few, I think the majority of athletes do it because they love the game and competing.

To me, it's part of the game and watching teams overcome negativity makes it worthwhile-- as a consumer and a marketer. I watch because I love sports; controversy and scandal ups the ante, attracting attention therefore ultimately they are good for sports. So the next time I'm sitting in the UC and I overhear someone talking about how sport is all about controversy and not about the game, I can tell them controversy helps sport.