ESPN: Extra Sensationalist Programing and News

I almost didn't write this. I have been noticing ESPN's continuing flair for the dramatic all summer, but I was prepared to write it off as the consequence of a summer rocked by so many scandals. Then, I woke up this morning, and the first thing I did was turn on the TV to ESPN News. I usually check the lower right-hand part of the screen to see what breaking news has developed since I have been asleep. Instead, what do I see? COMING At 3 ET ON THE HOTLIST- 50 CENT. I was stunned. Why the hell would I ever want to listen to 50 Cent's opinion on anything, especially sports?

I still almost didn't write this. Then, while I was driving to my local library to enjoy the free wireless access provided by this county's taxpayers, I turned on my radio. The Jim Rome radio show was on. I listened as he went to break, and he closed with this sentence: "When we come back, we'll be talking to Redskins Tight End Chris Cooley, and have 50 Cent on the show." I almost swerved into oncoming traffic. That was the last straw. I am so sick of ESPN's tabloid style news reporting, so here is a quick little rant about something that has been pissing me off for a while.

First, the Michael Vick story. Now, I realize that it is a big deal. It was even talked about on CNN Headline news. But not to the extent that ESPN has covered it. For all intents and purposes, Michael Vick was his own sport this summer. Want proof? Okay, here it is. When I log into the web on my cell phone, I usually go to ESPN. They have a section called 'Featured', and it is a rundown of all the sports that are happening at this time of year. Soon after Vick pleaded guilty, here is what the section read:

Vick: Fall From Grace
2007 U.S. Open
Chase for the NEXTEL Cup
FIBA Americas
NFL Preseason
MLB

There you have it. The sports world consists of the NFL, FIBA Basketball, NASCAR Racing, Golf, Baseball, and Michael Vick. If one were to click on 'Vick: Fall From Grace', you would see every ESPN columnist under the sun offer their opinions.

On to the Tim Donaghy scandal, which threatens to undermine the very sanctity of the NBA. I thought ESPN did an okay job, until Donaghy pleaded. When he pled, he said he would name 20 other NBA Refs who also participated in some sort of gambling. While this could have (and most likely is) refs who liked to play blackjack on the offseason, ESPN floods the airwaves about the "Donaghy: 20 other refs are involved in Gambling" insinuating the entire time that it is NBA games they gambled on. You have to read the actual quotes from the plea to see that he is most likely talking about non NBA related gambling.

Next, the Kevin Everett injury. A horrible tragedy, yes. There are way to responsibly cover this. Then, there is the way ESPN reports it. Here are direct quotes from the Doctor who first treated Everett, and then the SportsCenter anchor's response:

Dr. Cappuccino: I told [Everett] that he has less than a five to ten percent of regaining complete, neurological movement.

SportsCenter Anchor: You just heard it from Dr. Cappucino folks....Kevin Everett will probably never walk again.

Wow. Would any responsible journalist ever make that kind of leap on live television? I don't know if its the anchor, or the general news attitude at ESPN, but that is ridiculous. It makes me sick.

Finally, we examine the Patriots/Bill Belichick scandal. Since the scandal broke on Sunday, there are literally two to three major headlines on the ESPN.com homepage to do with the situation. This isn't even including the opinion columns. I know its big news, but does it have to take precedence over literally everything else?

Now, I know that big news is big business. The thing about sports is: it usually makes its own news, and it is by nature, usually positive. Almost every victory can be traced to some athlete coming up big in a big spot. Sometimes there is a major fight, and it gets covered, then it fades in a week. It is as if ESPN is afraid to let anything go away until it is violently pushed away by the next scandal. The Bonds thing is beaten until the Vick thing. Once thats tapped out, the NBA scandal is pushed to the front. Then Kevin Everett. Then the Patriots. Now O.J.. It never ends.

I only wish ESPN stuck to what it does best: scores and highlights. Keep the news to a minimum and don't beat stories to death. There's nothing wrong with opinions, that's why you have all these columnists. Maybe just don't put on the website every single columnists' take, since they are all very similar anyways. Just a suggestion.