Sports

I find it amusing that sports broadcasters will trot out stories of how the disadvantaged and handicapped are such worthy stories; much more worthy than covering the shameful and dishonest pro players in various sports. Each time I hear a story about a blind kid who can make 10 free throws in a row or a a guy in a wheel chair or a n autistic teen or whatever, I can almost puke.

They (the sportscaster) lament the fact that these stories we never celebrate, that these stories are not important to the average listener/viewer while never taking responsibility that they are the ones who are the arbiters of what we hear and see. They ask the question, "why is it only the bad that draws the news coverage?" all the while using stories of the disabled and disenfranchised to prop up stories of how bad pro athletes are.

They should take a long deep hard look into mirror and ask why they cannot focus on the good news cycle after news cycle? Why do they not follow every move of a feel good story once it is over? Why do they choose to take exemplary stories of courage, only to juxtapose it against stories of headline catching bad behavior?

They know why they do it...ratings! If they are not covering it, somebody else will. Which means that somebody else will attract the eyes and hears of the viewer and listener. It's not so much that bad news is good news, but more that bad news has a longer news cycle and will draw in a more consistent audience. A bigger more consistent audience means a bigger bottom line.

I don't completely disagree with what the ESPN's and TSN's and Foxsports and ABC Sports and CBS sports and NBC sports are doing; I would probably do the same if I were in charge, but at least don't be disingenuous in your commentary.

Telling me that you are tired of hearing stories about bad pro sports figures while exploiting the accomplishments of the disabled is disingenuous. Tell me that you wish there were more stories like XYZ instead of spoiled rich athletes behaving badly and I would have a little more respect for your opinions.