Does ESPN promote certain athletes?

[JohnnySic]

I hate ESPN, but I'll sometimes put it on as background noise while having breakfast. Just in case anything interesting happened in the world of sports.

ESPN blows.

They way they push LeBron James is sickening.

Another guy is this Puig guy. They talk about him every day. Every single day without exception. Even when he doesn't play, they find a way to work him in. They are obviously promoting him.

Why? Does ESPN have some kind of business arrangement with the pro sports leagues to push certain players?

[CeltsGarlic]

Um yeah

[Cold soul]

Yeah of course they do. They are biased towards some athletes and are negative towards others this is just the way ESPN works.

[NumberSix]

Espn tried to promote the shit out of Robert Griffin III.

[Rake2204]

I am unsure if I'm just nostalgic in this regard but I feel as though ESPN, and Sportscenter in particular, was at least a little more committed to reporting the news and results in the sports world back in the 90's and early 2000's. Slowly but surely, it seems they have transitioned into simply reporting what will draw and maintain the most attention, with motives similar to TMZ in some regards.

As such, it now seems popularity and social media run the show, in a "give the people what they want" format. Unfortunately, "the people" do not always want nice things. So I do not know if Sportscenter is legitimately promoting particular athletes as much as they're just trying to ride each wave for all it's worth. The people are talking about Yasiel Puig? Great. Saturate the market on him. Forever.

[imdaman99]

Of course. They are in the market for lightning bolts, basically guys that say stupid things or do attention whore things.

Arod
Lebron
T Owens when he was in the league

[ArbitraryWater]

Tim Tebow

[TheMan]

Espn tried to promote the shit out of Robert Griffin III.

That's child's play compared to Tebowmania.

Never has there been a worse scrub than Tebow promoted to epic proportions, it was sickening.

[christian1923]

That's child's play compared to Tebowmania.

Never has there been a worse scrub than Tebow promoted to epic proportions, it was sickening.

Don't blame ESPN for this. Every sports media outlet was talking about Tebow at the time. Manziel, Lebron, Puig, and Michael Sam too. It's smart business, build up these guys then tear them down later... They don't just talk about the athletes for no reason, its because they're polarizing and people have a lot of different opinions about them. That drives rating.

If you ever listen to sports radio you'll see, Whenever the host brings up a guy like Manziel he will get a bunch of calls from people and everyones opinions are different. Same with LBJ, some fans think he is the GOAT others think he is a ring chasing choker. It drives debate.

There just isn't anything to talk about with guys like Stephen Curry besides how good a shooter he is or a guy like a Calvin Johnson, Yeah he is amazing on the field but he plays for Detriot, isn't outspoken, and has no off the field issues. There is nothing to talk about there for a show like Sportscenter. If you really want in depth sports talk you gotta turn the channel and watch certain shows. (Inside the NFL, Nfl turning point, Nba gametime, MLB tonight" ESPN is only going to talk about whatever news will drive debate.

[~primetime~]

ESPN shows more of who is currently popular, breaking records, winning awards, etc etc...shouldn't be shocking to anyone

Today on SportsCenter they showed lots of Derek Jeter who is about to retire...

[~primetime~]

Tebow was arguably the greatest college football player ever...it isn't like they just decided to hype him up out of no where

Manziel was the first freshman to ever win a Heisman trophy



these guys were actually college legends

[christian1923]

ESPN shows more of who is currently popular, breaking records, winning awards, etc etc...shouldn't be shocking to anyone

Today on SportsCenter they showed lots of Derek Jeter who is about to retire...

Its about Damn time ESPN gave Jeter some love this year

[Patrick Chewing]

LOL ESPN has egg on their face with guys like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper.

Both suck.

[Baller1986]

Who cares? Lebron deserves the hype that he was getting. Unlike Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin.

[Rodmantheman]

Who cares? Lebron deserves the hype that he was getting. Unlike Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin.

Or RG3 dude is made out of toothpick.