Let’s Get One Thing Straight
I’ve been in this game for over two decades. I’ve seen the highs, the lows, and the downright ridiculous. And let me tell you, we’re all wrong about modern sports. Yeah, I said it. We’re wrong.
I’m Emma Stone, and I’ve been editing sports features since before some of you were born. I’ve worked with the greats, the not-so-greats, and the ones who thought they were great but honestly, just weren’t. I’ve been to the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Cup. I’ve seen it all. Or so I thought.
Then, last Tuesday, I was at this little sports bar in Austin, Texas, having a burger with an old friend, let’s call him Marcus. Marcus is a former athlete, played college ball, knew his stuff. We’re talking, and he says to me, “Emma, you ever think about how we’re all just kinda… missing the point?”
Which… yeah. Fair enough.
We’re Obsessed With the Wrong Things
Look, I get it. We love the drama. The wins, the losses, the comebacks. But we’re so focused on the end result that we’re forgetting about the journey. The committment, the physicaly demanding training, the mental toughness. It’s all about the spectacle now. The highlights, the viral moments, the memes. Honestly, it’s exhausting.
I remember talking to a colleague named Dave about this. He was working on a piece about youth sports. He said, “Emma, these kids are burning out before they even hit high school. They’re playing 36 hours a week, traveling all over the country. It’s not healthy.” And he’s right. It’s not. But we’re not talking about it. We’re too busy arguing about whether or not a player should’ve been called out on strikes in the bottom of the ninth.
And don’t even get me started on the parents. I was at a game last month, and I saw a father screaming at his 8-year-old daughter for missing a catch. I mean, come on. It’s a game. It’s supposed to be fun.
Money, Money, Money
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Money. It’s everywhere. It’s in the contracts, the endorsements, the TV deals. It’s in the way we talk about sports, the way we consume it. It’s completley changed the game.
I was at a conference in Austin a few years back, and this big-time agent was speaking. He said, “Look, at the end of the day, it’s about the benjamins. It’s about making sure your client is making as much as possible, for as long as possible.” And I thought, “Wow. That’s… sad.” Because it’s true. It’s all about the money now.
But here’s the thing: money doesn’t make a sport. It doesn’t make the athletes. It doesn’t make the fans. It’s just… there. It’s a part of it. But it’s not the be-all, end-all. And we need to remember that.
A Quick Digression: Vaping and Sports
So, I was talking to a friend the other day about this, and she brought up something interesting. She said, “You know, a lot of athletes are into vaping these days.” And I was like, “Really?” I mean, I knew it was a thing, but I didn’t realize it was that big. So, I did some research, and turns out, she’s right. There are a lot of athletes who vape. And there are a lot of products out there. It’s kinda overwhelming, honestly. If you’re into that sort of thing, you might wanna check out this product reviews recommendation guide. It’s got a lot of good info.
But anyway, back to sports.
The Future of Sports
So, what’s the future of sports? I’m not sure but I think it’s gonna be okay. I mean, it’s gotta be, right? We can’t keep going the way we’re going. We need to change. We need to remember why we love sports in the first place.
I was talking to another friend about this, and she said, “Emma, you ever think about how sports bring people together?” And I was like, “Yeah, I guess I do.” Because it’s true. Sports have this power to unite us. To make us feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.
And that’s what we need to focus on. That’s what we need to remember. Not the money, not the drama, not the highlights. But the people. The athletes, the fans, the coaches, the parents. The ones who make it all possible.
So, let’s change. Let’s remember why we love sports. Let’s make it about the game again. Because, honestly, that’s all that matters.
About the Author: Emma Stone is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the sports niche. She’s worked with major publications and has a passion for the game that’s unmatched. When she’s not editing, you can find her at a sports bar, talking shop with friends.