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‘No Cheering in the Press Box.’

It is Journalism 101. A fundamental rule, to be abided by regardless of the circumstances. For no matter how exciting or last gasp the moment, the press, and in particular their working environment, must remain a place of neutrality and professionalism. The privilege of cheering is reserved for everybody else. 

Despite its integrity to the way we watch sports, not everyone is aware of the rule’s existence. This is largely because of how well it is carried out. We are so tuned to expect our commentators and announcers to remain ambivalent, usually conveying the drama and emotion in the shape of shock, awe, and admiration. This contrasts to the immediate reaction of most fans, where an element of happiness and sadness is intrinsically attached to each play. 

The significance of this rule largely boils down to two main things. The first is that it allows all audiences to enjoy the game. By remaining neutral, it ensures that the media is consumable for everyone, focusing entirely on what transpired on the playing field, and not on how it has made the journalist feel. This also leads to a better viewing experience, and people are more likely to keep watching when the coverage is not sidetracked by various biases. 

The second main reason is that it makes for a better working environment for journalists. These are professionals covering these topics day in and day out, building relationships with players, coaches, as well as each other. If they were to overtly add their own personal agendas, to the already polluted field of sports opinions, it would inevitably lead to a variety of complications that would make giving an unbiased account even more difficult. 

I think that sports journalism is however becoming more and more saturated by partisan reporting. Although it is very rare to see a journalist overtly cheering for their team, I think that social media has allowed us to slowly drift away from unbiased reporting, without fully realising it was happening. Twitter allows journalists to have a personality outside of their work, and to publish opinions without the scrutiny placed onto their official work. I frequently see tweets from those covering sports, filled with biases and opinions that highlight their ability to report objectively has been compromised. 

‘Not Cheering in the Press Box’ is a good rule. It is essential in the way sport is covered, and therefore how we have come to enjoy it. Each journalist must strive to stick to it, in the most genuine and thorough way. We must however realise that a lot of the work now exists outside of the press box, and the challenges facing sports journalists today are drastically different to those at the time this phrase was coined. Trying not to cheer in the press box, whether digital or not, is the next stage as we eventually try and move away from biased reporting.

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Kobe.

A select few athletes are able to transcend the popularity of their chosen sport. An even more select few are able to transcend sports entirely, and become, global, cultural icons. If Kobe Bryant’s status as such was not apparent before his tragic death, then the staggering and widespread reaction that has poured out since, means it is firmly cemented now. He was a global household name. Revered by world class athletes, admired by some of the greatest minds, and worshipped by millions and millions of fans. A modern day hero. 

Speaking to students across the UMass campus, their simple, subdued reaction, two days after the news originally broke, highlights the sorrow still felt about his premature death. 

“He was a legend. That’s how I’ll remember him,” said Andrew French, a senior Mechanical engineer.

“He was my inspiration,” added Carl Preza, a kinesiology major, also graduating this spring. “His mentality, his drive. It just still doesn’t seem real.” 

Kobe was not without his controversies. In 2003, he was accused of rape, and although the charges were dropped a week before the trial, a civil suit was later settled and the incident came back into the spotlight on Sunday when the news of Kobe’s death broke. 

There was much debate as to whether media outlets should be covering this on the day of his death, and when asked about it, most Umass students still saw it as a sensitive topic. 

“I think it should be acknowledged, but not in the breaking news,”  said Carl Preza, whilst Mai McWilliams added, “I don’t really know. It’s not that simple.” 

Eric Dileone was more certain. “Oh yeah, you have to [report it]. It was part of his life. You have to include the ups and downs.” 

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