The award for the most ridiculous, self-absorbed, overzealous all sports entertainment network in the world goes to...
ESPN, for the 10th year running.
They have once again proven that outside the 4 major sports, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters, you're really not much of an athlete. Unless you count token consideration of Cael Sanderson and -ahem- Sarah Hughes (don't even get me started on figure skating).
No offense to college athlete of the year Sue Bird (UConn BB) but a certain swimmer from Cal who set at least 6 AR and 1 WR over the short course season would have had my vote.
Anyone else? Natalie Coughlin, female college athlete of the year as awarded by the USMS discussion crew?
-RM
Parents
Former Member
Tall Paul has in figured out. Viewers who WATCH sports and networks who provide entertainment and sell commercial time on their network drive these awards. Sports and games are intertwined to the point where there is no differentiation between them.
I don't put much stock in these awards because money issues, politics and ratings are the driving force behind them.
Paul is right when he points out how boring swimming is for most uneducated (to swimming) viewers. Swimming is not a spectator sport. Networks create awards that serve THEIR INTERESTS and let face it; their interests are not necessarily pinning the medal on the real sports achievers of our time.
Look for the money and usually you will find the reasoning behind these awards. Power, influence and money are all intertwined. My comments here are not a value judgement, they are simply an observation as to why swimming has been snubbed for so many years.
Tall Paul has in figured out. Viewers who WATCH sports and networks who provide entertainment and sell commercial time on their network drive these awards. Sports and games are intertwined to the point where there is no differentiation between them.
I don't put much stock in these awards because money issues, politics and ratings are the driving force behind them.
Paul is right when he points out how boring swimming is for most uneducated (to swimming) viewers. Swimming is not a spectator sport. Networks create awards that serve THEIR INTERESTS and let face it; their interests are not necessarily pinning the medal on the real sports achievers of our time.
Look for the money and usually you will find the reasoning behind these awards. Power, influence and money are all intertwined. My comments here are not a value judgement, they are simply an observation as to why swimming has been snubbed for so many years.
