The other sports thread

[LTS]

4 hours ago, Hoss said:

The point is that you are willing to admit that you yourself are not a follower in any way, yet you feel the need to express a definitive opinion on it.

If you don’t follow it, then why not just carry on and not attempt to speak on it?

As someone who does follow the WNBA (certainly not in the way I follow other leagues, but close enough to be aware of the goings on), it isn’t all about that. The media will always latch onto attention-grabbing headlines because their intention is to get YOU, someone who doesn’t follow, to click and regurgitate their “news.” You’re feeding into the hand.

So, you get all over Night Train despite the fact the it was specifically said:

18 hours ago, Night Train said:

Sad for the majority of women that just wish to play basketball. Being viewed in a bad light. 

I did not interpret this as anything other than it's too bad that what trickles out into the mainstream media is not focused on basketball and instead on the transgender issues, etc.

4 hours ago, Hoss said:

You do, though. What she went through was such a massive headline because she was an elite women’s basketball player who was doing historic things (including being able to dunk semi-often).

and then Eleven says

4 hours ago, Eleven said:

Yeah, I don't know Britney Griner's name because of anything she's ever done on a basketball court.   That's the real shame here.

And you jump on his case. Except, if I read what he said, he's saying it's a shame that she wasn't being publicly acknowledged for her basketball skill but instead of the off-court issues.

What is it about what they said that triggered you so much when it seemed to me the statements were more that the WNBA does not get covered outside of certain circles except on its socially triggering subjects versus the actual quality of the game and skill of the players?

For what's it worth, all I see are the socially triggering subjects. Yeah, that's the Internet. But I'll say it so you don't go all soapbox on me. I don't really give a ***** about the WNBA or the socially triggering issues that get covered. I am smart enough to know that there is a sport and I am sure the women who play it are incredibly talented. I also don't care about the NBA, so it's not a sexist thing (just covering myself against any incendiary statements you might want to make).

 

[Hoss]

1 hour ago, LTS said:

So, you get all over Night Train despite the fact the it was specifically said:

I did not interpret this as anything other than it's too bad that what trickles out into the mainstream media is not focused on basketball and instead on the transgender issues, etc.

and then Eleven says

And you jump on his case. Except, if I read what he said, he's saying it's a shame that she wasn't being publicly acknowledged for her basketball skill but instead of the off-court issues.

What is it about what they said that triggered you so much when it seemed to me the statements were more that the WNBA does not get covered outside of certain circles except on its socially triggering subjects versus the actual quality of the game and skill of the players?

For what's it worth, all I see are the socially triggering subjects. Yeah, that's the Internet. But I'll say it so you don't go all soapbox on me. I don't really give a ***** about the WNBA or the socially triggering issues that get covered. I am smart enough to know that there is a sport and I am sure the women who play it are incredibly talented. I also don't care about the NBA, so it's not a sexist thing (just covering myself against any incendiary statements you might want to make).

 

I didn't jump on anyone. I'm sorry, once again, that you are so hurt and fearful of conversation.

[mjd1001]

8 hours ago, Night Train said:

It's the media headlines and sports recaps on TV. Limited highlights and endless talk on TV. That's not my fault. 

I'm going to agree with you.

I don't follow the WNBA. My exposure to it is when I go to website (like cbssports.com and others) or the occasional mention other places.  What I see/read first are stories that seem to be about many things but the game.

I just went to a few sports sites I follow and found the following article 'leads' about the WNBA:

"Clark addresses Cunningham's comments on transgender athletes"

"WNBA: Social post referencing Reese-Bueckers wager 'missed the mark'"

"Storm co-owner suspended for confronting Sophie Cunningham supporters"

Now that is under 30% of the articles posted, but when I go to the NBA section of the same website, every single article has something to do with the players/teams.

I'm not going to watch the WNBA, and I do not watch or follow the NBA much either (to tell the truth, I haven't watched a full MLB game in years and I pretty much quit the NFL last year).  The game of pro basketball has bored me for the last decade. However, it IS noticable, through the contact we have with the sport through headlines and social media, that these topics are front and center much more in the WNBA than they are in other sports.  For those into watching basketball, I can see how this may be annoying to them.

Now, I am going to wade a bit further into societal wars here I beleive.  I think a lot of this is the fault of a portion of their audience and what they want, and the reporters/media that covers it.  I'll give an example, but let me make my disclaimer below:

"I do not have an issue with the LBGTQ community.  Politics for me is an 'issue by issue' thing (I won't support an issue becuase I have a political party that 'tells me to') but in general, I think I am middle-of-the-road politically, maybe SLIGHTLY to the left of center socialy (and slightly right economically).

Now here is my example.  I watch a lot of movies. My wife and I go to the movie theater 20-30 times per year.  When I am going to see a movie, I don't want full spoilers, but I want to read, and watch videos of things like the 'red carpert' premier of the movie. I want to see what the stars and director had to say in interviews they did the weeks leading up to the release. If there are any 'behind the scenes' stuff available that doesn't include full spoilers I am going to watch those.  And I have noticed something VERY apparent:

-During those 'red carpet' or pre-release interviews, the stars will go on TV shows and most of the talk is about the movie. They will be inteveiwed by an 'entertainment' only magazine and the questions will be about the movie, or about working with their other co-stars.  Another entertainment magazine will have their reporter as a question about 'why did you decide to take this role'. All general purpose questions.  THEN, you will see a reporter from a magazine that caters to the LBGTQ community, and the first question is something like "Do you think your character is Qu**r', and then when the actor/actress answers it uncomfortably, the next question is something like "Who would be the most likely same-sex character in this movie your character would be with".  (Don't belelive me, watch the red-carpet questions for the premiere of Supergirl, there are a bunch like this"

So, do I have a problem with those reporters for askign those things? Not per-se....they write for a magazine that caters to their audience, and their jobs is to give that audience what they want.  But it can have an impact on the rest of the public who watches it.  I don't care that much, I'm still going to see the movie, but I know it can turn others off.  I think the WNBA has a bit of a public issue like this.  It is a VERY easy punching bag for much the far right politically, and it also is a topic/league much of the far-left wants to cover and give attention to. Many on both of those sides aren't giving it attention for the game on the court, its for the issues around the game, and that is why they get so much coverage. Those in 'the middle' politically, or those that ONLY care about the game, can get annoyed and potential driven off by that other coverage.

Edited August 5 by mjd1001

[Eleven]

12 minutes ago, Hoss said:

I didn't jump on anyone. I'm sorry, once again, that you are so hurt and fearful of conversation.

What is with the freaking attitude again?  I'd hoped that you'd matured.

[#freejame]

4 hours ago, Eleven said:

What is with the freaking attitude again?  I'd hoped that you'd matured.

[LTS]

23 hours ago, Hoss said:

I didn't jump on anyone. I'm sorry, once again, that you are so hurt and fearful of conversation.

It's not even laughable how delusional you are. You are the one, who, in our last interaction, decided conversation was not on the docket. Frankly, that you attempt to call what you posted even qualifying as conversation further underscores the point.

You don't have conversations, you only preach and scold others. Enjoy that.

23 hours ago, Eleven said:

What is with the freaking attitude again?  I'd hoped that you'd matured.

And there's Eleven proving that it just ain't me.

[Night Train]

On 8/5/2026 at 8:56 AM, Hoss said:

The point is that you are willing to admit that you yourself are not a follower in any way, yet you feel the need to express a definitive opinion on it.

If you don’t follow it, then why not just carry on and not attempt to speak on it?

As someone who does follow the WNBA (certainly not in the way I follow other leagues, but close enough to be aware of the goings on), it isn’t all about that. The media will always latch onto attention-grabbing headlines because their intention is to get YOU, someone who doesn’t follow, to click and regurgitate their “news.” You’re feeding into the hand.

Defending the media ?   Then they need to do a better job.  Yes  ? 

22 hours ago, #freejame said:

History never repeats 

 

 

[Hoss]

The entire point was that if you don’t follow something, then just sit it out. Regurgitating negativity about the thing you don’t follow just continues the cycle of it. The reality is that the league is growing and the women’s product is continuously getting better.

But, this was also a nice reminder of why I left this place. Online anonymity is a disease. So, with that, I’ll head back out. Go Sabres.

Edited August 7 by Hoss

[Taro T]

21 minutes ago, Hoss said:

The entire point was that if you don’t follow something, then just sit it out. Regurgitating negativity about the thing you don’t follow just continues the cycle of it. The reality is that the league is growing and the women’s product is continuously getting better.

But, this was also a nice reminder of why I left this place. Online anonymity is a disease. So, with that, I’ll head back out. Go Sabres.

Disappointed that you're leaving.  But honestly don't understand why THAT exchange caused you to decide to walk away again.  From an observer's viewpoint it didn't seem that viscious an internet imbruglio.

Regardless, safe travels.

[Porous Five Hole]

13 hours ago, Hoss said:

The entire point was that if you don’t follow something, then just sit it out. Regurgitating negativity about the thing you don’t follow just continues the cycle of it. The reality is that the league is growing and the women’s product is continuously getting better.

But, this was also a nice reminder of why I left this place. Online anonymity is a disease. So, with that, I’ll head back out. Go Sabres.

You’ve had misfiring interactions with at least six folks since you’ve been back this short time. But it’s online anonymity’s fault?  
 

[LTS]

On 8/6/2026 at 8:14 PM, Hoss said:

The entire point was that if you don’t follow something, then just sit it out. Regurgitating negativity about the thing you don’t follow just continues the cycle of it. The reality is that the league is growing and the women’s product is continuously getting better.

But, this was also a nice reminder of why I left this place. Online anonymity is a disease. So, with that, I’ll head back out. Go Sabres.

You don't follow what people are saying here, so heed your own advice. No one debated the league or its quality. The only debate was what media chose to cover and what makes its way into the general public. You still don't get it. Somehow you think people calling out the media for what they cover is somehow negative as if they were the ones who posted the articles. 

Y'all have fun where ever you go and I hope everyone agrees with you when you get there.

 

[#freejame]

WNBA back in the news and what do you know it’s not about the caliber of athlete on the court.

Edited August 8 by #freejame

[Eleven]

10 minutes ago, #freejame said:

WNBA back in the news and what do you know it’s not about the caliber of athlete on the court.

It's the saddest "white privilege" claim I ever have seen, too.

[Porous Five Hole]

16 hours ago, Eleven said:

It's the saddest "white privilege" claim I ever have seen, too.

Agree completely. She commits the most obvious Flagrant 2 foul, gets ejected, goes to the locker room and blames her ejection on "white privilege."

Not sure if that was victim blaming or something worse. 

[shrader]

1 hour ago, Porous Five Hole said:

Agree completely. She commits the most obvious Flagrant 2 foul, gets ejected, goes to the locker room and blames her ejection on "white privilege."

Not sure if that was victim blaming or something worse. 

Physical assault and racial feuds. The league is taking the professional wrestling approach. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s intentional to get ***** in the seats. 

[#freejame]

22 minutes ago, shrader said:

Physical assault and racial feuds. The league is taking the professional wrestling approach. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s intentional to get ***** in the seats. 

It’s what gets the clicks. I think they know what they’re doing. 

[Porous Five Hole]

18 minutes ago, #freejame said:

It’s what gets the clicks. I think they know what they’re doing. 

If that’s true, that’s gross. Not that the league I don’t watch cares what I think, but yikes. 

[Demoted]

14 hours ago, #freejame said:

It’s what gets the clicks. I think they know what they’re doing. 

It definitely works just by looking at the conversation in this thread about it 🤣

[nfreeman]

Wow.  Looks like I missed a nice little poopstorm in here.

I haven't been to a WNBA game, but I have tentative plans to go to one in a couple of weeks.  I'll report back and hopefully no one will get too worked up about it.

[Pimlach]

WNBA is not something I want to spend my precious time watching.   I stopped following the NBA over 20 years ago.   The WNBA is by far a lesser product than the NBA, it is a league that cannot make it on its own.    High school and college hoops are more entertaining.  

 

[shrader]

My local morning radio show this morning was talking about this exact topic. These guys are a great example of casual sport fans. They have their favorite and then they follow the other sports very loosely. The entire conversation was pretty much exactly what set off the s-storm here. 
 

If there was ever a place where id expect people to acknowledge the difference between the quality of the game and the public perception, it’s a hockey message board. 

[JujuFish]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

The WNBA is by far a lesser product than the NBA, it is a league that cannot make it on its own.

Nationally televised WNBA games average more viewers than the NHL.

[Pimlach]

4 minutes ago, JujuFish said:

Nationally televised WNBA games average more viewers than the NHL.

Great, and maybe someday they will be able to pay their own bills?   

Enjoy it if you like it.  

[shrader]

21 minutes ago, JujuFish said:

Nationally televised WNBA games average more viewers than the NHL.

Are we still watching stuff like Survivor, the random singing show, and the CBS geriatric lineup?  The american viewing audience is dumb.

[JujuFish]

10 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Great, and maybe someday they will be able to pay their own bills?   

Enjoy it if you like it.  

You mean like how they made enough profit to trigger revenue sharing?

1 minute ago, shrader said:

Are we still watching stuff like Survivor

I haven't watched it in a few years, but I like Survivor.