The Media’s Selective Silence on Controversial Sports Coverage

Questions arise when media members remain silent on contentious issues. Do they avoid tough questions because responses could challenge their biases, or to escape criticism from their peers? Recent events, including actions during the WNBA Finals, raise these concerns.

The WNBA Finals and National Anthem Walk-Off

During the WNBA Finals, the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the national anthem. They returned post-performance, yet few mainstream media outlets mentioned this. An example is the San Jose Mercury News, which praised a musical rendition without noting players’ absence. OutKick criticized this lack of coverage, highlighting a reluctance to probe deeper among journalists present at the games.

Hostility Toward XX-XY Athletics Supporters

In another instance, XX-XY Athletics’ founder Jennifer Sey faced verbal attacks at a Valkyries game for advocating female-only sports. A video of the incident gained significant online attention, but mainstream media largely ignored the story. Yahoo! Sports published an article siding against Sey, suggesting that controversies about transgender participation in sports have been resolved. However, the debate continues, indicating a gap in media coverage.

High School Sports and Gender Reassignment

A high school runner in Washington transitioned from the boys to the girls team midseason, sparking protests. The athlete won races after the switch, prompting reactions from students and media coverage from Fox News. Legacy outlets like ESPN have remained silent. Critiques focus on the media’s selective storytelling, which often excludes dissenting voices on transgender athlete participation.

Matt Calkins, an OutKick columnist, argues that journalists reveal their priorities through what they choose to cover and omit. This, he claims, deprives the public of comprehensive reporting. Calkins’ experience includes roles at the Seattle Times, the San Diego Union Tribune, and the Vancouver Columbian. His work often explores sports and cultural intersections.