Personalities and Platforms in Sports Reporting in the Twenty-First Century
In the early twenty-first century, sports blogs were a mainstay of fandom. Journalists and sports enthusiasts alike launched their own publications covering topics ranging from the NBA Draft to soccer kit design. The early influence of blogs may be seen in Bill Simmons' rise to prominence in sports media.
Simmons rose from a Boston sports blog writer to a 14-year stint at ESPN. During his time at the network, he launched a popular podcast and Grantland, a long-form storytelling website. Simmons turned his time at the network into a deal with HBO, a sizable social media following, and his own media company, The Ringer.
This progression demonstrates how blogs have given way to podcasts and social media as essential fan tools. Traditional journalism has been converted into successful Twitter accounts by sports journalists like Peter King and Adrian Wojnarowski. Famous sports writers have always existed, but contemporary technology has expanded their reach beyond regional audiences.
Social Change Is Reflected in Sports Journalism
Sports editors are searching for more than simply stat lines and game reports from their contributors. Athletes represent evolving attitudes and societal ideas due to the all-encompassing nature of sports. Athletes, coaches, and others are treated as human beings rather than interchangeable pieces in modern sports reporting.
Athletes have taken public stands on a range of issues in recent years. The following occurrences provoked discussion on social media and in sports story comment sections:
Colin Kaepernick, a member of the San Francisco 49ers, protested police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem in 2016.
In 2020, the United States Women's National Soccer Team wore their warmups inside out to protest salary disparity.
The Milwaukee Bucks went off the floor in protest of Jacob Blake's police shooting in 2020.
ESPN polled sports fans to see how supportive they are of players who take statements on social issues.
Seventy-one percent of respondents agreed, with 44 percent strongly agreeing that athletes should be
heard.
Sports media sources that do not reflect athlete perspectives on current topics are failing to meet the requirements of their audiences. For example nowadays media like ESPN is struggling to find interviews with professional players but internet media like Liga Deportiva is having weekly interviews with protagonist of sports.
