SPORTS MEDIA SENDS IN THE BACKUPS Alternatives to live sports help keep fans entertained SCOTT SHIELDS SPORTS EDITOR
A
RERUNS
s few sports are taking place during the pandemic, it makes sense that old events would fill the time, as that has always been a fallback for sports media during offseasons when there are no live games. Whether it is old championships, random exhibition matches, full playoff series or regular seasons, people enjoy seeing how sports were in the past. Viewers could see the first televised NBA finals, all of Tom Brady’s Super Bowls and several other events. “I’ve been watching whatever is on ESPN if it’s basketball,” freshman basketball player Max Warrell said. It seems that lots of people enjoy looking back and seeing how the sports and their athletes have evolved over time, how talent has increased and what has changed. Of course, old events don’t always provide high octane thrills for viewers, “Personally I don’t like sports reruns because they aren’t new content and it isn’t as exciting,” freshman basketball player Josh John said Even President Donald Trump shares this sentiment. “We have to get our sports back,” Trump said during a White House press conference. “I’m tired of watching baseball games that are 14 years old.”
T
A
rguably the best alternative sports fans have turned to during the pandemic, the 10-part documentary series The Last Dance follows Michael Jordan and the story of the 80s and 90s Chicago Bulls. “[The] Last Dance was really good and gave me a new perspective about the GOAT,” Warrell said. For lots of people, the series brings back nostalgia for the old days, but for students at McLean, it serves as a chance to learn the story of a team and a player widely considered to be the greatest of all time. “[The Last Dance] really highlighted Michael Jordan’s winning mentality,” John said.
ESPORTS/VIRTUAL SPORTS
he esports world is finding new light as people are stuck at home without sports but want new live competitions to watch. “I think esports is actually very entertaining and it’s an up-andcoming entertainment industry,” John said. Gaming has always had an audience, but now people who hadn’t accepted it into the mainstream are willing to try it out. “I might give esports a chance during quarantine because there isn’t much else to watch,” Warrell said. A wide variety of games are played at the esports level, many with no connection to actual sports. Rocket League and Overwatch are major titles that have attracted a large fanbase since their launch. In addition, sports simulation games like NBA 2K20 offer fresh content for people who want live competition but aren’t willing to stray too far from actual sports. “I’m coming from the world of, if you played video games, you’re a geek or a nerd, and to see how far the video gaming culture just took over and is taking over right now, man, I love it,” Buffalo Bills offensive lineman John Feliciano said in an interview with The Buffalo News. “It’s entertaining.”
24 | SPORTS | JUNE
THE LAST DANCE
An NBA 2K20 tournament that took place in April featured actual NBA players as competitors, including Kevin Durant and Trae Young. NBA All-Star Devin Booker took home the trophy. “I played a lot growing up,” Booker said in an interview with the NBA. The medium is growing but still has some major issues that need to be sorted out. Die-hard sports fans have strong thoughts on esports, disliking the fact that the name claims connection to real sports, as they feel the two are very different from each other. “I’m not really an esports fan because watching someone play 2K isn’t like watching real basketball,” Warrell said. Games’ lifespans in the mainstream of the esports world are also an issue—as new, higher powered games with more advanced features come out, it is tough for a series, let alone a game, to remain relevant for sustained live competition in the entertainment industry. “I think [the esports industry is] going to keep growing,” Feliciano said. “The good thing about esports is there are so many games that have their own league, basically. There are so many different games and games that will be coming out.” Graphics by Cameron Tebo | Page design by Addie Brown
