Posted on 05/21/2019 7:53:40 AM PDT by Hojczyk
Does it seem you hear a little bit less about political controversies in the sports world than you did a year or two ago? Do you find yourself grumbling at your television, I just want to enjoy watching the game less frequently?
Todays Los Angeles Times profiles ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro, who took over running the network in March 2018. Deep in the article:
Pitaro has also satisfied ESPNs more traditional fans by steering commentators away from political discussions on-air and on social media, which heightened during President Trumps criticism of NFL player protests against social injustice during the playing of the national anthem.
11 Without question our data tells us our fans do not want us to cover politics, Pitaro said. My job is to provide clarity. I really believe that some of our talent was confused on what was expected of them. If you fast-forward to today, I dont believe they are confused.
This does not mean that political controversies are gone completely, or will never return to the sports world. Some members of championship teams choose to not attend ceremonies at the White House. The political comments or Tweets of collegiate or pro athletes will continue to generate controversy for content-hungry sports media. But some of the most politically-active sports commentators have moved on to other things.
Jemele Hill has moved from anchoring the 6 p.m. SportsCenter to writing for The Atlantic. Bob Costas departed NBC Sports after 40 years. And Keith Olbermann is not the media force he once was; hes now grumbling that MSNBCs Rachel Maddow and Steve Kornacki havent shown enough gratitude towards him.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
I’m stealing that GIF.
Yes, I am one of those millions who were paying $6 a month to ESPN from my cable bill. I cut the cord specifically because I no longer was going to support them or CNN, MSNBC, PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC, etc. Never going back. They lost me forever. I am free at last.
Do you watch ESPN regularly? Which sports do you like?
I thought so.
And other comments on this thread.
Someone does the right thing and still the same old show up to b##ch and whine regardless.
Worse than old church ladies sometimes.
We don't need our damn 'elites' forcing their high handed BS on us while we're watching sports.
American 'elites' are easily the tackiest in the world - it's like someone elevated 'white trash' to the top of society. Thank you ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro for fighting this crap.
Good news. That’s one media source that may have become less “woke”. A bunch of “woke” websites have gone broke or sold off for pennies on the dollar. Hopefully this is just the beginning of the backlash and this craziness just goes away before our country is destroyed.
Even Lebron has lost MUCH popularity due to his sniping at Trump.
And these players and teams who boycott the White House honoring celebration...
Three years ago at the end of May we cancelled our cable.
We use Sling to provide us as a tv provider!
Sling does not carry ESPN, ABC or Disney.
So these anti American and President Trump bastards get zero $’s from us.
We haven’t watched a NFL fake game since then.
This is nothing but a response to inroads made my Fox Sports. With no challenger, ESPN would be more than happy to continue the attempt to indoctrinate.
Too little, too late. Fk ESPN forever... they made their choice. Hopefully they'll go full Chap 11.
Heh. I was figuring that by now, any “fans” they have left are all-in for the political commentary too.
How’s the picture quality with Sling?
Drexel Hamilton analyst Tony Wible downgraded Disney stock on Monday in response to a massive increase in NBA costs for ESPN.
Disneys deal to televise NBA games, with its increase in step-up costs over last year, could shave as much as 5 percent off pre-tax profits.
The agreement, which takes effect in October and lasts through the 2024-25 season, works out to $2.7 billion a year an annual increase of 190 percent over the $930 million-a-year agreement it replaces.
https://nypost.com/2016/09/26/espns-deal-with-the-nba-is-killing-disney-stock/
ESPN's Huge Sports Contracts Are Killing Its Profits
On the other hand, that means ESPN is on the hook for billions of dollars in broadcasting rights over the next five years. If it continues to bleed subscribers at a faster rate than it can raise affiliate fees, investors could see a continued decline in operating income. At least its programming expenses will remain relatively stable, though.
https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/05/14/espns-huge-sports-contracts-are-killing-its-profit.aspx
Yeah, losing a significant piece of your audience will make you reconsider things.
Without question our data tells us our fans do not want us to cover politics
Without question you a-holes didn’t care for years, and I stopped watching ESPN.
I was born and raised in Boston and for many years loved my home teams.
I have not watched a game in years. This, though my former beloved teams just won the World Series, Super Bowl, and now the Bruins vying for the Stanley Cup.
I have lost all interest. I care about my Nation and its sovereignty. I also stopped watching all network news and a lot more. I am sick of the BS from so many angles.
ESPN has fans?
Politics have ruined the sports of tennis and football. Golf and baseball aren’t far behind.
“Do you watch ESPN regularly?”
The answer - Not in a long time. I abandoned professional sports that became professional politics. That may be bitching, but don’t expect me and other to bend the knee and kiss the ring of ESPN because they had a recent epiphany
I am about down to old movies. Maybe the History channel. With C and D horror flicks on an iPad.
Serious about that.
I also watch Trump rallies, tuning out ‘commentary’ for RSBN as needed.
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