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
The incessant complaining about some mysterious media powers or "Big 4" bias or whatever the term du jour is now is completely and totally ridiculous.
This is America, guys. If someone can make a buck off of it, they will broadcast it. Do you think the media televises all these sports you love to hate in order to lose money? Don't you know at some point in history each of the big sports also had to clamor for more attention. They are just 60 years ahead of us swimmers.
Start the grassroots campaign, have people swim naked while taking quiz questions or whatever. I can absolutely guarantee you that if the networks see an interest, it will get broadcast.
I can't believe with all the real issues we are facing with the media this is one of any importance right now, or ever. Go swim and let's move on. There is not some anti-swimming lobby at the networks. It all comes down to Econ 101 - supply and demand. It's that simple.
The incessant complaining about some mysterious media powers or "Big 4" bias or whatever the term du jour is now is completely and totally ridiculous.
This is America, guys. If someone can make a buck off of it, they will broadcast it. Do you think the media televises all these sports you love to hate in order to lose money? Don't you know at some point in history each of the big sports also had to clamor for more attention. They are just 60 years ahead of us swimmers.
Start the grassroots campaign, have people swim naked while taking quiz questions or whatever. I can absolutely guarantee you that if the networks see an interest, it will get broadcast.
I can't believe with all the real issues we are facing with the media this is one of any importance right now, or ever. Go swim and let's move on. There is not some anti-swimming lobby at the networks. It all comes down to Econ 101 - supply and demand. It's that simple.
