The Good and Bad of Sports Social Media

Every teenager has received the bothersome conversation from their parents or guardians that social media and technology are “ruining our lives” or “consuming all of our time”. Despite these talks, we still do not listen and spend time scrolling through Twitter, posting on Snapchat, and commenting on Facebook. However, everyone must agree that social media has had a major impact on our lives, yet whether good or bad can be saved for someone else’s blog. These effects are often overlooked in the world of sports, but are nevertheless just as prominent as the ones in the rest of the world. Star athletes have turned to their social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to voice opinions about games, league executives, and other world events. These actions can have both positive and negative effects in that players can be see advocates for legitimate causes, but also that they are succumbing to a distraction that will ultimately lead to decreased efficiency and problems for the front offices.
First, we will discuss possible beneficial characteristics of the use of social media in professional sports. For this argument, it will be more focused on the fans of the game, as they are the ones who tend to participate more with the technology. With the help and implementation of certain social media tactics, teams can become closer and more in touch with their fanbase. For example, FC Barcelona (one of the, if not the most, famous soccer clubs in the world) can use its fanbase of about 150 million followers through different platforms to comprehend how fans feel about certain strategic moves, such as sponsorships on jerseys. Also, social media helps fans to be kept up to date with their team of choice. Twitter seems to the primary platform used for checking scores, viewing highlights, player updates, and (as of recently) watching certain games! As time progresses, executives of all professional leagues and sports will continue to use and apply to social media to enhance the game for fans and the athletes. Finally, the players have been known to use their own accounts to promote causes or certain ideologies. These can be helpful for these movements as some of the most prominent athletes have a colossus fanbase (for example, LeBron James has over 34 million Twitter followers) that can put substantial backing behind them.
Like all arguments there is a negative side to this one and it leans more towards the athletes. Now, despite all citizens being entitled to voicing their own opinion, this does not mean that coaches and executives have to respect it. Many potential recruits have seen their own careers be destroyed by an old Tweet or “thought to be deleted” Facebook picture that are insensitive and hurtful to other people. You would think that the ones who made it past this stage would get the hint though right? Actually, many athletes take to social media to voice their frustration with their own team or a political agenda, and end up hurting themselves instead. For example, Pittsburgh Steelers wide-receiver Antonio Brown was recently brought under fire for live streaming a Facebook video in the locker room after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL playoffs. The video depicted the Steeler coach, Mike Tomlin, talking badly about the New England Patriots and ultimately hurt Brown’s and the team’s reputation because he was condemned by the league. So, where should teams draw the line with using social media? Do you believe players should have free reign of their own accounts or not be able to post as it a liability for the player and organization?

Sources:

-http://www.telegraph.co.uk/investing/business-of-sport/social-media-in-sport/
-http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/4/social-media-an-issue-for-athletes-coaches/

1 Comment on "The Good and Bad of Sports Social Media"

  1. Rebecca Sellinger | February 21, 2017 at 9:28 pm | Reply

    Something adolescences are taught nowadays, in the age of technology, is to be wary of what you post on social media. This lesson that many seem to learn I think correlates really well with your overall message in this particular post. Yes, social media can be a huge advantage for some athletes for it can bring them more recognition, allow them to be closer to their fans, or even open up new avenues for their career. But it can also be very harmful. As you said, there is also a negative side to social media, especially when the athlete posts something that is offensive or can be misconstrued. This can not only hurt their career, but could even possibly end it. To take the time and consider what to post before posting is very relevant in today’s society, not just in the sports world. Often times when applying for a job an employer will look at the candidate’s social media to see if anything will hurt the company’s reputation. So to be wary or cautious of what to post isn’t a bad characteristic to have. But it still definitely raises the question of how much social media access should a player or athlete have? Because although social media has the potential to further a person’s career, it also could potentially harm it.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*


Skip to toolbar