The Digital World of Sport by Sam Duncan

Author:Sam Duncan [Duncan, Sam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Media Studies, Sports & Recreation, General, History, Sociology of Sports
ISBN: 9781785275067
Google: FpP-DwAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 53725040
Publisher: Anthem Press
Published: 2020-09-12T02:37:21+00:00

Debates Stimulated by Athletes

Importantly, many athletes realise this, and while many sports stars don’t go out of their way to voice their views about political, social and cultural issues, others are more calculated and use their position, fame and strong social media following to act as social and political activists (Osborne et al. 2016). That’s not to say they spend hours on end as social crusaders. Still, if passionate about an issue, some athletes are more than willing to use their popularity and influence to speak up and either lead or participate in meaningful social debates online. Furthermore, they understand their influence and ability to spark social media and broader societal conversations and discussions, and they also realise their ability to persuade members of the public and important stakeholders when it comes to various social issues and decisions about social change (Coakley 2017).

However, regardless of whether athletes deliberately lead discussions on social issues or merely participate in them, the fact they are willing to comment on issues beyond the specifics of their chosen sport, matched with their mass influence and ability to stimulate rapid and passionate discussions between their fans and detractors, means they are seen by many as social and political activists.

Indeed, even after much of the world had argued the merits of Serena Williams’s claims she was the subject of sexism during the 2018 US Open Final, Williams remains unrelenting in her desire to continue to advocate for gender and racial equality, telling reporters in November 2019, ‘The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I’m in my grave’ (The National 2019). Her comments came in response to tennis legend and renowned equal rights advocate Billie Jean King, who remarked to the BBC that Williams should focus more on her tennis and leave the political and social advocacy to her staff (The National 2019). King told the BBC that Williams should give up being a celebrity for a year: ‘Just stop all this insanity’ (The National 2019). For her part, King remains a strong and vocal advocate for women’s tennis and gender equality. A prolific tweeter, King often uses the platform for activism purposes, commenting on issues relating to gender, race and sexuality.

Perhaps even more prolific than the Williams equality issue was a tweet by global NBA superstar LeBron James directed at President Donald Trump. Trump had withdrawn an invitation he extended to the 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors to visit the White House after star player Steph Curry told reporters he would vote against the Warriors visiting the White House (Balthaser 2017).

Trump tweeted, ‘Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!’

However, James fired back at the president, calling him a bum: ‘U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!’

Other NBA players, such as

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