SportProjections.com

Jun

12

ESPN: The Hype Machine

Filed Under Media | 

When I was a kid, I used to love watching SportsCenter on ESPN. It was the best place to see the highlights of the day and generally catch up on what was going on in the sports world. When SportsCenter wasn’t on, there was always some sort of sporting event being aired. ESPN was one of the things that really influenced me to become a sports fanatic. What happened to the good old days?

Let’s consider the format of SportsCenter now. We hear about the big story of the day, usually something controversial. Then they show a few highlights, a couple plays from the big game. Then comes the main part of the show, I like to call it the “tabloid section,” followed by a few more highlights and the plays of the day. This is not your father’s SportsCenter.

Let’s talk about this “tabloid section.” During this segment, we spend 30 minutes hearing about a controversial topic that ESPN wants to hype. Let me give you an example. Last week, they talked about Michael Vick and his alleged dog fighting ring. I am all for ESPN reporting what is going on with one of the biggest names in the NFL. However, do we really need ESPN to try and twist the information from the police department to convict Vick in the media. ESPN, report the news and move on, please. Let the legal system gather the evidence and try the case. This is just one example. Another is the Duke lacrosse scandal in which ESPN helped destroy the career of a successful lacrosse coach because they thought it was good TV. I also watched a piece on a club lacrosse coach who came out that he was gay. This was interesting for about two minutes, and then it became too much. The Enquirer has nothing on ESPN.

I wish we could go back to the old format. I love the information that can be gained from watching ESPN and ESPN news, but I can’t stand all the extra things they throw in. Show me the top 7-10 plays from each game rather than just 2 or 3. Cut down on the nonsense and provide pure sports information. By the way, do I really need to see 6 hours of the national spelling bee or 10 hours of poker everyday? I have only seen last year’s world series of poker 6 times. I am a pure sports fan and just wish that ESPN would get back to their early days. If they continue on the path they are on, they are going to drive me to the Internet for all my information. I prefer to have both avenues, but I can’t stand the extra crap.

ESPN, please fix this problem!

Lonnie
Head Sports Writer
SportProjections.com

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