The sports world has, depending on your viewpoint, either evolved or devolved into a forum for political and social thought, talk and action. “But the one place we have … My place of comfort has been removed from me, and it may not be restored until there are sports leagues that remove politics from the sports.”. | Sports James has been just as vocal about Floyd’s death, except his messages have been limited to social media. Fifty-seven percent of Republicans choose “too political” and 36% selected China as reasons they watched fewer games; the corresponding figures among Democrats were 22% and 8%. An outspoken openly gay progressive, Rapinoe has become a cultural icon. As sports hobble back from coronavirus delays, it seems political statements from players have become the norm. In recent years, Americans have become more supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement and other racial justice causes. The kneel will now become a … “The league has become too political,” was the preferred answer of 38 percent of respondents to explain why they aren’t watching the NBA this year. Those who feel ESPN has become too political and encourages a one-sided angle see affirmation when Hill is censured, while others like Linda Cohn … "We've done a great job of diversity,” said Ley. People are tired of watching the highly political @NBA. after receiving the gold and bronze medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics, a salute to the Black Power movement. Right-wing talk show host Ben Shapiro says he can't enjoy sports anymore, because athletes are too ... [+] political. The NBA has agreed to allow players to have political statements instead of … Then there was the 28 percent who said it was “boring without fans” in the stands. Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro has criticized American sports for being overly political. He cited Sports Illustrated’s decision to place Caitlyn Jenner on the cover in 2016 and Colin Kaepernick’s protest as his two breaking points. Only 34% of Republicans say they “actively follow” the NBA, compared with 48% of Democrats. I hope football and baseball are watching and learning because the same thing will be happening to them. Since it returned from its coronavirus break, the NBA’s ratings have engaged in a steady, downward march with each game seemingly earning fewer viewers than the last. As racism and social justice have become central issues in the 2020 presidential election, professional athletes are speaking out more often and forcefully on sports … (Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images), Laura Ingraham’s double-standard on Drew Brees and LeBron James, , it’s apparent what Shapiro means when he tells athletes to “stick to sports.”, On his show Monday, Shapiro complained to Fox Sports host Clay Travis, whose, is almost entirely comprised of takes underplaying the coronavirus and ripping the defund police movement, about the political nature of sports coverage. While many are concerned that sports has become too political, I'm worried that politics has become too sporty. The gap of 14 percentage points is the largest of any sport. “At some point, people are going to want a sports league that doesn’t allow this stuff to impede play or get on the field,” Shapiro said. Last month, I sat down with David Bozell, president of ForAmerica, to explore how sports became so politicized. Some unsavory things are coming out about the SB game(s) (things people say, etc) and sports have become too political, rigging, AGREE/NOT? The latest Harris Poll finds that most sports fans think the NBA is “too political,” and they are watching less basketball this season as a result. ESPN’s “Last Dance” series chronicling Michael Jordan’s Bulls averaged 5.6 million viewers across 10 episodes. It also serves as a platform for political messaging, no different than other forms of entertainment such as music and movies. Sports, of course, have always been political. But he’s still reaching just as many people. To suggest athletes shouldn't participate in such politicization is inherently improper, because athletes have always been used as political figures. As recently as last week, the President was threatening to deploy the U.S. military on peaceful protesters. The latest Harris Poll finds that most sports fans think the NBA is “too political,” and they are watching less basketball this season as a result. But it’s now smart business to embrace activism, which probably explains Goodell’s sudden change of heart. Six years ago, James and NBA stars wore “I Can’t Breathe” shirts during warm-ups to draw attention to the death of Eric Garner, a Black Staten Island man who died in police custody after repeatedly uttering those words. But social media provides them with an unfettered platform, and their voices can be amplified even when games aren’t going on. That’s a really big deal, even if some find Goodell’s words to be hollow as long as Kaepernick remains out of work. And as U.S. citizens, it will be really hard, if not downright impossible, to stick to sports over the next several months. The anchor worried to ombusdman Jim Brady that ESPN's politics are becoming too obvious. Whites have the genes for that kind of thing: coding, programming, electrical engineering, and what have you. But he’s still reaching just as many people. (Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images), Ben Shapiro’s declaration that sports have become too political for him to enjoy is absurd on multiple levels. I think it's up to evangelicals to decide if they have become too political. The results show that President Donald Trump’s criticism of the league is resonating among fans. Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston. Disney CEO Bob Iger says ESPN has become too political: 'The pendulum may have swung a little bit too far' ... on the field of sport than what happens in terms of where sports is … The poll released this week found that 39 percent of respondents who identified as sports fans said they are watching fewer games this season, and politics is the reason why, Forbes reported. The games are just one part of the greater equation. The leagues’ most recent playoff games were nearly all down a few percentage points from the previous week’s games and off double-digits from last year. So, the sports fan complaining about outspoken athletes is like the horror movie fan … Fox Broadcasting Company went into its programming with just that in mind. Sports hasn’t become too politicized, athletes are just using their platforms to comment on social issues like never before. Shapiro’s souring on sports seems to place him among the minority of Americans, who appear to be clamoring for live athletic action of any kind. Email him, ajreimer0@gmail.com, © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. Politics has taken the fun out of sports By Richard Jack Rail Pro sports has gone political, meaning that pro sports has decided to hate on white people. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. “The Match” that pitted Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning and Phil Mickelson against each other was a historic cable success, averaging 5.8 million viewers. “If you ask me is there a false narrative out there, I will tell you ESPN being a political organization is false,” said Pitaro about the idea that sports have become too political under Trump. PoliticsSocial JusticeSportsBlack Lives MatterLeBron JamesLos Angeles LakersNBANBA Ratingssocial justice. In other words, a lot of Americans view politics more as just another sport than as the selection process by which we choose the men and women who will decide the rules that govern so many aspects of our daily lives. Converse just signed WNBA guard Natasha Cloud to a lucrative endorsement deal because of her social activism. “At some point, people are going to want a sports league that doesn’t allow this stuff to impede play or get on the field,” Shapiro said. Athletes are. One of the most iconic images in American sports history is when Tommie Smith and John … Look no further than the athlete activism we’ve seen in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing at the hands of a former Minneapolis police officer. “Harris also found the NBA is more partisan than any other sport. Much like Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s double-standard on Drew Brees and LeBron James, it’s apparent what Shapiro means when he tells athletes to “stick to sports.”, “Keep your mouth shut, unless you agree with me.”. How can anybody with a platform not want to sound off about that? We have politicized killings. The retail success of Kaepernick’s Nike sneaker shows the appetite for athletes with conviction. Somebody might have to find Shapiro a bunker to hide in. In this view, black dominance in brawn … Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The poll also found that the NBA has the most profound splits over politics. Safety precautions, testing requirements and labor disputes are dominating the sports landscape these days, all of which are extensions of larger societal and political debates. Sports diplomacy may transcend cultural differences and bring people together. ESPN’s “Last Dance” series chronicling Michael Jordan’s Bulls, Sports, of course, have always been political. It also forces white male sports fans to acknowledge that a space that they have used as an escape from political issues for years is in fact as political as the rest of the world. Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting. Two years prior, Muhammad Ali refused to serve in the Vietnam War, and was denied a boxing license in every state. They need to decide if calling catholicism a "whore," saying that a worldwide disease or a natural disaster is a "punishment," or their intense focus on condemning homosexuals is what Jesus envisioned in his call to ministry. Sports competitions or activities have had the intention to bring about change in certain cases. South Korea’s Winter Olympics head organiser has appealed to North Korea, a nation that boycotted … There are a lot of issues in the world that need talking about today. Athletics are becoming more aware and compassionate. He cited Sports Illustrated’s decision to place Caitlyn Jenner on the cover in 2016 and Colin Kaepernick’s protest as his two breaking points. Six years ago, James and NBA stars wore “I Can’t Breathe” shirts during warm-ups to draw attention to the death of Eric Garner, a Black Staten Island man who died in police custody after repeatedly uttering those words. Sports leagues like the NFL and liberal sports networks like ESPN have been completely at odds with what their viewers want, and their ratings reflect it. After months of seemingly endless political tension in America, football fans looked to the Super Bowl for a break. Athletes need to OWN their decisions, both good and bad. Politics and sports or sports diplomacy describes the use of sport as a means to influence diplomatic, social, and political relations. The network aimed to create a sense of unity by taking precautions to avoid anything that could become too politically controversial during the big game. The NFL is set to kick-off its 100th season on Thursday, and at least one prominent sports journalist and NFL veteran agree that football fans should expect even more political controversy on … Athletes are the same way. My place of comfort has been removed from me, and it may not be restored until there are sports leagues that remove politics from the sports.”, , averaging 5.8 million viewers. … There’s an expectation NFL players will resume kneeling during the national anthem this year, especially since commissioner Roger Goodell said “Black Lives Matter” and apologized for not previously encouraging players to “peacefully protest.” The usually conservative and button-down NFL is encouraging activism. James has been just as vocal about Floyd’s death, except his messages have been limited to social media. Unfortunately for Shapiro, sports promise to only get more political going forward, with one of the most highly fraught presidential elections in history on the horizon, and athletes free to speak their minds on their social media feeds. It appears that sports cable network ESPN will finally address accusations that it has become far too political at the expense of actual sports coverage, and has now issued new guidelines to reign in talent by ensuring that on-air political commentary is tied more directly to sports. I write about the intersection between sports, culture and media. And he said it was because people are tired of the politics shoehorned into sports. STICK TO SPORTS, NO POLITICS!! For comparison, 54% of Democrats actively follow the NFL versus 51% of Republicans,” Forbes wrote. Two years prior, Muhammad Ali refused to serve in the Vietnam War, and was denied a boxing license in every state. Look no further than the athlete activism we’ve seen in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing at the hands of a former Minneapolis police officer. Athletes are helping to lead the nationwide movement against police brutality, participating in protests, and in the case of former NBA player Royce Young, organizing them himself. Sports, of course, have always been political. political. “It’s getting to the point where I don’t want to watch sports. There is a proper place and time to discuss these issues. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2020. You may opt-out by. Up until recently, however, athletes could only make their statements on the field or in the locker room. Covid Vaccines for the Tokyo Olympics Have Become a Political Issue Around the world, sports officials are asking their governments to help get shots for their athletes Katinka Hosszú is … We need to put an end to the helicopter … Hot Takedown discusses athlete activism, where Leicester City goes from here, and how to determine baseball’s greatest player without using data. Another 19 percent said they were upset with the NBA because of its connection to China, another “too political” answer. A self-proclaimed champion of free speech and warrior against safe spaces is proclaiming he needs a safe space from athletes talking politics, or to put it more specifically, Black athletes voicing their opinions about racial justice issues. Stand tall for our Country and our Flag!!! On the main question, 39 percent said they are watching fewer NBA games this year, 32 percent said they are watching more, and 28 percent said about the same amount. As sports leagues begin preparing to return from the long coronavirus shutdown, the conversation is highly political. “It’s getting to the point where I don’t want to watch sports. One of the great things about sports is that it allows an "escape" from the real world's problems. With viewership habits changing, fans consume sports differently now. USWNT star Megan Rapinoe embodies this phenomenon as well. Only a few days ago, for instance, the president noted that the NBA’s ratings are crashing. Watch our interview and let us know what you think in the comments below. A poll commissioned last summer following the USWNT’s World Cup win showed Rapinoe would narrowly defeat Donald Trump in a head-to-head election. (Respondents could select more than one answer.) Here are 9 times sport was used as a political tool. The use of sports and politics has had both positive and negative implications over history. against police brutality, participating in protests, and in the case of former NBA player Royce Young, organizing them himself. Alex Reimer is back for his second stint with SportsMoney. On his show Monday, Shapiro complained to Fox Sports host Clay Travis, whose Twitter feed is almost entirely comprised of takes underplaying the coronavirus and ripping the defund police movement, about the political nature of sports coverage. There were far too many political currents pointed in the direction of Kaepernick’s anthem protest. Basketball ratings are WAY down, and they won’t be coming back. Sports Have Always Been Political. Previously, Reimer was a host and columnist for WEEI in Boston, and has written for several publications, including Boston Magazine and SB Nation. Fans want to know athletes as people. Athletes have always been outspoken—and thus always been political. 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One of the most iconic images in American sports history is when, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists. The poll released this week found that 39 percent of respondents who identified as sports fans said they are watching fewer games this season, and politics is the reason why, Forbes reported. Previously, Reimer was a host and columnist for WEEI in Boston, and has written for several publications, Alex Reimer is back for his second stint with SportsMoney. Earlier studies have already found that Americans view politics as something resembling a sport. This moment opens Travis’s new book, “Republicans Buy Sneakers, Too: How the Left Is Ruining Sports with Politics” (Broadside), an exploration … One of the most iconic images in American sports history is when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists after receiving the gold and bronze medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics, a salute to the Black Power movement. With the coronavirus pandemic still raging — the U.S. death toll recently passed 110,000 —- and widespread racial unrest, it seems trivial and small-minded to talk about playoff seeding while ignoring the most pivotal moment in our nation’s recent history.