by Andrew Nishimoto

Created on: January 21, 2009   Last Updated: April 12, 2012

I think the bigger question is how have tabloid exploitation (or investigation depending on who you are) have not changed sports. Recently ESPN ran a story on how no athlete will ever be able to reach the loftiness held by basketball great Michael Jordan. Their reasoning was that in this day and age while we are wowed by amazing plays and athleticism (Michael Phelps 2008 Olympics), we crave the dirt. Encouraged by different tabloids, instead of recognizing the greatness of players like Alex Rodriguez, we focus on his relationship with Madonna and his divorce. Instead of waiting for the next big college athlete to make it to super stardom in professional athletics, we wait to see when he will fall. Athletes are now no longer sports icons. They are life icons. Their daily lives are recorded for us and displayed for all to see. Interestingly, sometimes the days athletes have off (Plaxico Burress) or the off-season becomes more interesting then watching them play their game, whatever that may be.

Another impact of tabloid investigation on sports comes when you see the impact that type of investigation has on the rest of the media. In a cut-throat society where anyone will stab anyone in the back to advance their career or make a buck, we see legitimate news being turned to trash. For example, the 2008 Olympics in Beijing had enough star power and amazing athleticism to cover the world. Instead, we chose to focus on the Chinese "cheating" in gymnastics, swimmer's love life, and the negative antics of the now fastest man on this planet.

I am not saying I am any different then the rest of the public. I like to be entertained. When the sport isn't enough why not throw in some soap opera drama. What I can't stand is the impact it has on those who use the tabloid rumors as facts that pertain to every athlete. Suddenly every football player should be in jail. Every college basketball player only goes to class once a month. When in reality the few players that deserve to be in the tabloids are the exception not the rule.

Sports can never be destroyed, but they can be damaged. And they have been damaged by the tabloids. The only way this can turn in to a positive is if players use the fear of being exploited to up the ante in a way. Athletes need to realize that they impact children and young adults and that they are role models needing to set a good example.

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