Tim Layden says objectivity is dying in sports reporting

The thing is -- and I don't expect anyone under 40 to truly understand this -- this was not even a "thing" in the previous generation.

You. Did. Not. Root. You snickered at the occasional news desker who showed rooting interest at his desk.

I've said that I rediscovered my rooting gene when I got out of the business. But I never even considered breaking the seal before the day I walked out of there. And that was formed and ingrained in me by the age of 17.

 

Why? Because you can't be a fan of a school you cover and be impartial. That's why.

 

I am consistently amazed that this other side is even presented, defending being a fan while you're a sports journalist.

And then I see my old paper spending a week posting "Fly Eagles Fly" videos and vignettes of Penn State girl walking out on her blind date because he's a Buckeyes fan, and ... well, I guess that's the norm today.

 

He doesn't cover Arizona State, that's the point.

 

Try reading next time. He doesn’t cover them.

 

I haven't worked for a newspaper (other than freelancing) for almost seven years now. I still don't root for any team.

I'll admit there are times I find myself wanting one team to win a particular game because it's a better story. Other than that, the only thing I root for is a quick game (when I'm working on deadline).

 

Even my life-long allegiances took a hit once I became a sportswriter. It wasn't so much about "upholding the code" or whatever, just that you realize you are indeed just rooting for laundry. That "your" team is really no better than any other team on a moral level. Free agency and the turnover of rosters makes it harder to feel personally invested in sports anyway. If anything, I find myself rooting for fanbases, particularly those who have suffered and stuck by their team.

 

I know he doesn't cover them, jackass. Why don't you use some common sense?

 

I know he doesn't. You guys are pathetic.

 

No coach is "your" coach when you're in the business of covering coaches.

 

I'm not sure what this actually means for the debate here, but there is a well known national NFL writer I follow on social media strictly because I'm amused by his fanboi posts about his favorite baseball team (and irrational hatred of another baseball team).

 

Jason Lancanfora?