Social Club

Athlete’s controlling their own narrative against the grain of main-stream media.

Social media has always been a way for the athlete to control their own narrative. However, media and journalism in general has always battled with click bait headlines and negativity.

Mainstream media create heroes and villains out of them making their worth seem no more than a character, but with social media the way it is, you can get the info straight from the horses mouth.

With outlets such as Uninterrupted creating a safe haven for many athletes united together and to just be themselves.

And once pre-professional athletes are thrown into the professional sports arena, they are somewhat treated like babies, taught how to walk and talk, how to answer media questions certain way. Which is all well and good, as it helps foster good positive life influences and business-like mentalities, but does it go too far?

Myself being a consumer to this, rarely get’s to see the athlete for themselves. Who they truly are.

Interaction from DMs or posts is even more prevalent and exciting for the fans. It’s like the modern day signature grabbing moment, bringing instant gratification – and if you’re a fan lucky enough to get a like or comment from your sporting hero, well that fuels the desire for more.

Social media goes beyond their sporting achievements and see what makes them tick – what makes them who they are.

“If you’re a fan lucky enough to get a like or comment from your sporting hero, well that fuels the desire for more.”

Granted it can be taken too far when phones are weaponised when it comes to social events, as we’ve seen the NRL wave the white flag over Mad Mondays – an event for players to let their hair down after a long season. Events of past years have caught the headlines for all the wrong reasons, or when their guards are down in the NBA changing sheds, and something that was broadcasted maybe should not have been. Or when a personal phone call gets heated and then released all to gain what? Are journalists life so miserable they attempt to make everyone else’s?!

But what about all the right reasons that don’t get reported. Like player donations or the work they do in their communities. Isn’t this why we love sport because we can relate and they inspire us to be our ultimate selves.

Headlines to me are a form of mind control, where they are designed to make us – the consumer react a certain way, behave a certain way about something. Damn I’ve been victim to it too – reading far too much into something than really necessary. Podcasts and Vlogging alike have become hugely popular where the middle man has usually been cut and we can see and hear the athletes journey from behind the scenes. The great thing about podcasts and Vlog is there usually done at the players expense, so we are not influenced by broadcasting or ads to buy something. Their STORY is told by Them. They are the main act, in control with no one else writing their script.