Sports and Sexuality

I am a heterosexual man and a HUGE sports fan. However, I find it disgusting how many alleged sports shows stoop to sexual language, bawdiness, and objectifying themes in order to discuss sports. It makes no difference if you’re watching Pardon the Interruption on ESPN, The Hot List on ESPN News, or listening to Kevin Kiley on ESPN radio. Topics such as Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning will inevitably deteriorate into: Tom Brady dates super models. Legitimate issues such as whether or not Michelle Wie should stick to the LPGA can barely last ten seconds of commentary before somebody interjects that “she’s hot.” Last summer, Kevin Kiley was discussing the disappointing second half of the Dodgers’ season. The topic of a particular call-in show was: Are the Dodgers a one night stand that looked like a smokin’ hot chick while you were drunk, but who is sagging and fat now that you’ve woken up sober?

I am not a prude; it’s not bad language or political incorrectness that offends me. In fact, political incorrectness can often be a launching pad for a serious social discussion that needs to happen. But why must my gender and sexual orientation consistently embarrass itself by implying that we must make everything about sex. For some inexplicable reason sports and sex are one united topic. If I were a female sports fan or a gay sports fan I would feel completely alienated by such programming because it could not be more clear that I am not their desired audience. I am particularly disappointed in Kevin Kiley who, to his credit, co-hosted his show last summer with the founder of Outsports: Cyd Zeigler. Kiley asked very thought-provoking questions pertaining to living as a gay athlete and the two even dabbled in some sexual humor as part of their co-host banter. It was innocent, fun, and inclusive. But, Kiley seems to have learned nothing from what Zeigler shared because he as reverted to his chauvinistic, sexually debasing comments and topics which turn his otherwise fine program into an Access Hollywood for the sports world. Nothing but gossip and red carpet fluff.

As a sports fan I want to hear the host explaining why Pete Carroll should have gone for it on that fourth down. I want to hear Jim from Venice calling in to give his two cents on the Angels pitching rotation. And I want to hear LaDanian Tomlinson on the phone commenting on how the San Diego community has rallied around the team and what the Chargers and the NFL are doing to help the fire-ravaged southland.

I understand that ESPN has the obligation to produce 24 hours of sports programming and such a task can be daunting. There may be a shortage of material which forces the conversation to diverge into sex. ‘Cuz we’re guys, right? And that’s the only other thing that “guys” can think of. Please do the country a favor and reassure everybody, men and women alike, that men can comment on a player WITHOUT discussing how hot that player’s girlfriend is. Can you imagine if a female sports show host spent that much time ogling men? We, as a sports nation, would assume that she’s not a serious sports journalist or host. We would question her knowledge of the game because she’s too obsessed with how hot Johnny Damon is. Men seem to have this free pass to discuss anything but sports and yet still retain credibility as a sports information resource.

Between Michael Vick, Barry Bonds, and Tim Donaghy, the sports world is doing enough to turn itself into a circus. We don’t need to encourage it by mimicking its irresponsibility.