« My fav Christmas movie | Main | Supporting our Troops »
I blame SportsCenter
December 19, 2007Sure money has something to do with it, but after the Mitchell report I point the finger at ESPN for their role in popularizing the long ball, the touchdown, the dunk, the highlight.
In a roundabout way SportsCenter has had a hand in glorifying what athletes do to a degree of marketing. You don't want to fall off the highlight wagon, so you do what you must to stay marketable.
You have to believe athletes, especially young ones, believe what gets shown on SportsCenter that night will make or break their season, or have a hand in it anyway.
I'm not an athlete but I can remember as a younger guy what it would be like to get my mug on that evening night cast for the world to see.
The show started in 1979. That would make this the ESPN generation. There isn't a "guy" who doesn't watch it and there is an athlete who hasn't wanted to be featured.
It's the glory hound mentality. Athletes used to have to fight of the papers before 5 p.m., but in the 24-hour media society, you might as well embrace it.
But the bargaining chip in the equation is how much money someone can generate off their show. I wonder why Roger Clemens has been on the most This is SportsCenter commericals?
You don't think more people wanted to see T.O. after his suicide/not suicide attempt. It was 24-hour coverage when he was leaving the Eagles and coming to Texas to be with the Tuna.
So that's my 2 cents. It might not be a wrong, but it's what I honestly think.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
