How Social Media Has Changed Sports Media

The creation of social media has changed so many parts of our everyday lives. The way we connect and keep up with others, the way businesses and corporations operate, and the way we feel about ourselves have all been affected (for better or for worse) by social media. Sports media, and the way sports news is reported, has been changed as well.

With social media, athletes are able to report their own news before anyone else can.

While this college commitment wasn’t done on Instagram Live or Twitter, high school athletes consistently use social media today to hype up their college commitment.

What has changed most is who is reporting or breaking sports news as social media becomes more important. With social media platforms at athletes’ fingertips, they are now able to report their own stories, decisions, and signings.

NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news of Kevin Durant’s signing to the Brooklyn Nets, prior to Durant’s announcement that he was joining the team.

NBA Insider Shams Charania broke the news of the 2020 #1 overall pick prior to the draft.

Before social media, news would be reported either on TV as soon as possible, or through the newspaper the next day. With social media as we know it today, sports insiders and analysts can break news in an instant, and can get the scoop minutes to hours before an official announcement is made.

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Even the way that sports media is consumed has changed drastically. Nowadays fan-made analysis accounts can blow up on Instagram and Twitter, and can allow fans to talk about their favorite teams, players, and so much more.

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/nest/the-impact-of-social-and-digital-media-on-sport/#:~:text=Social%20media%20is%20changing%20the,commentary%20straight%20from%20the%20source.

This article goes deeper into how social media has allowed athletes and sports personalities to interact with fans, and all of the pros and cons that social media has brought with it. Additionally, professional teams and their social media accounts have grown more active in order to grab the attention of more fans, and expand on their fan base.

In conclusion, the always-expanding use of social media has so many positive effects on sports media. It provides the athletes with a platform that they may not otherwise have, and allows news to break infinitely quicker. Without social media, the sports world would have much less to discuss, and much less to do.