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The First Amendment does not guarantee a free press. But it does guarantee a free sports press.
More than 225 years later, the right to a free press still does not exist. Political reporters have to be censored but sports writers have more freedom. And they are more fair and do not fabricate the news.
Unlike political reporters, sports journalists can express themselves without worrying about censorship. Sports writers from newspapers like the San Francisco Chronicle can openly criticize players, coaches and policies.
Sports journalists give the media great representation. They cannot fabricate a sporting event because fans would easily identify any error.
More than 225 years later, the right to a free press still does not exist. Political reporters have to be censored but sports writers have more freedom. And they are more fair and do not fabricate the news.
Unlike political reporters, sports journalists can express themselves without worrying about censorship. Sports writers from newspapers like the San Francisco Chronicle can openly criticize players, coaches and policies.
Sports journalists give the media great representation. They cannot fabricate a sporting event because fans would easily identify any error.
The most important facet to sports journalism lies in the First Amendment's guarantee to a free press. Columnists and editorialists have to be careful when writing about controversial political issues. Sports journalists do not.
Many talk shows like Jim Rome and Around the Horn on ESPN offer opinion about today's action. From Barry Bonds injecting steroids to the New York Giants winning the Super Bowl, experts weigh in on issues and provide key insight for the fans.
"Sports journalists are insiders in the proverbial know, whatever bloated shape it takes," said Bennett Gordon, who writes for Utne Reader. "Accordingly, they dispense with incredible vigor their judgments against, among other things, the personal character of players and coaches and the business decisions of team franchises. For an example, read any Bill Simmons column on ESPN.com."
If any problems exist in sports journalism, it is the lack of creativity in stories and broadcasts. Few magazines like Sports Illustrated offer in-depth and creative exposes about up-and-coming stars. Newspapers, though, fall harder in their lack of imagination.
"Let's have more narratives like Chuck Klosterman's recent piece documenting the lives of several unremarkable NBA players whose careers were transformed when superstar Kevin Garnett became their Boston Celtics teammate," Gordon said. "At least to a certain degree, Klosterman recounts the story of professionals, not celebrities."
Many talk shows like Jim Rome and Around the Horn on ESPN offer opinion about today's action. From Barry Bonds injecting steroids to the New York Giants winning the Super Bowl, experts weigh in on issues and provide key insight for the fans.
"Sports journalists are insiders in the proverbial know, whatever bloated shape it takes," said Bennett Gordon, who writes for Utne Reader. "Accordingly, they dispense with incredible vigor their judgments against, among other things, the personal character of players and coaches and the business decisions of team franchises. For an example, read any Bill Simmons column on ESPN.com."
If any problems exist in sports journalism, it is the lack of creativity in stories and broadcasts. Few magazines like Sports Illustrated offer in-depth and creative exposes about up-and-coming stars. Newspapers, though, fall harder in their lack of imagination.
"Let's have more narratives like Chuck Klosterman's recent piece documenting the lives of several unremarkable NBA players whose careers were transformed when superstar Kevin Garnett became their Boston Celtics teammate," Gordon said. "At least to a certain degree, Klosterman recounts the story of professionals, not celebrities."
Sports writing needs to uncover more "scandals" that tells the readers about the cruelty, appeal and exhilaration of playing the game. The Chronicle's investigation of the BALCO steroids scandal involving Bonds was a priceless act of good sports reporting.
"Fans and sportswriters, spectators all, may try to get inside sport but few of us are on the sidelines and even fewer are on the field," Gordon said. "Readers have been left to digest fantasy fluff and their own obsessions. If it has become increasingly difficult to admire athletes and appreciate sports, we ought to realize that their potential for narrative, for story, made them newsworthy in the first place."
The Chronicle, though, captivates readers with imagination, creativity and ingenuity. Sports columnist Scott Osler wrote last month about the struggling Giants pitcher Barry Zito. But he took a different angle to his column, an approach not seen in regional or national media.
"The Barry Bonds Memorial Wing of the Giants' clubhouse remains under a dark cloud," Osler's column opened. "Zito moved into Mr. Bonds' neighborhood last season and kept the same locker this season. I am not suggesting that Barry Bonds put a curse on his old row of four locker stalls after the Giants threw him out in the cold. A more likely scenario is that Kreepy Korner was cursed before Bonds ever checked into the team's ballpark."
"Fans and sportswriters, spectators all, may try to get inside sport but few of us are on the sidelines and even fewer are on the field," Gordon said. "Readers have been left to digest fantasy fluff and their own obsessions. If it has become increasingly difficult to admire athletes and appreciate sports, we ought to realize that their potential for narrative, for story, made them newsworthy in the first place."
The Chronicle, though, captivates readers with imagination, creativity and ingenuity. Sports columnist Scott Osler wrote last month about the struggling Giants pitcher Barry Zito. But he took a different angle to his column, an approach not seen in regional or national media.
"The Barry Bonds Memorial Wing of the Giants' clubhouse remains under a dark cloud," Osler's column opened. "Zito moved into Mr. Bonds' neighborhood last season and kept the same locker this season. I am not suggesting that Barry Bonds put a curse on his old row of four locker stalls after the Giants threw him out in the cold. A more likely scenario is that Kreepy Korner was cursed before Bonds ever checked into the team's ballpark."
Kreepy Korner: how's that for creativity?
Sports writers should be glad that they do not report on politics and elections. In a world occupied with steroid scandals and cheating coaches, sports journalists have more First Amendment freedoms and can openly criticize any player or coach.
Thomas Ranson can be reached at transon@lahontanvalleynews.com
Sports writers should be glad that they do not report on politics and elections. In a world occupied with steroid scandals and cheating coaches, sports journalists have more First Amendment freedoms and can openly criticize any player or coach.
Thomas Ranson can be reached at transon@lahontanvalleynews.com
