US Open 2007

PitBull

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As far as Blake winning anything, he'd better hurry up. He's already 29. I
think its tough to be labelled as an up-and-comer when you are 29,
especially in tennis.He's got 3-4 more years, and then he's done. He's no
Agassi.
 

sunshine

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SI does it again. Randy Moss is on the cover. Federer shares small pictures with Tiger Woods and Alex Rodriguez. Makes no sense to me. This habit of squeezing in Woods (and now Rodriguez?) whenever Federer reaches another huge milestone is ridiculous and only serves the purpose of drawing attention away from Federer. This is SI's most shameful legacy in their entire history of sports coverage.
It wouldn't matter that much if their were other sports magazines around but SI have no competition.
ESPN by the way did a terrible job on the US Open. This is a network that televises the other Grand Slams but couldn't be bothered by the US Open. They barely covered the tournament and gave viewers no perspective at all regarding the significance of Fedrerer's acheivement. Tiger wins a semi meaningless tournament and it is heralded as a BIG WIN on the level of Federer winning the US Open for crying out loud.
The US Open set a record in attendance with over 700,000 fans over the course of two weeks. Tickets were sold out I know because friends of mine couldn't get tickets. It was a HUGE American event enjoyed by tons of fans.
Sports coverage has reached a new low in the USA.
Hispanic/Black/Latin players from other countries are routinely hailed and cover featured in SI for playing baseball. Tennis which fields many important events here in the USA and has a long American tradition but somehow doesn't register with the media elite even though Federer speaks fluent English etc.
Another great outcome slightly spoiled by the media's ongoing ineptitude. All I can say to Roger is to keep on winning and keep showing up these a-holes who refuse to properly give you the respect you deserve.
Same ole S%#t.
 

sunshine

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Let me add that Henin who has now won 7 Grand Slams and been the best women's player for 4 years has never been mentioned at all on the cover. Not even one of those insulting mini pictures--see Federer above--.But I don't want to throw off the SI white bitch Editor off his? perch. As I write this he is probably "getting off " on having yet another black stud on his cover.
 
G

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Again, I would not worry about SI or ESPN much. Their agenda is obvious, so why get upset?

As I've stated before, ESPN, with the play of Woods, has convinced americans, and americans only, that golf is a major sport equal to football, baseball, and basketball, when in reality golf is a totally minor sport that is significantly less competitive than track or swimming, let alone tennis, ice hockey, soccer, or rugby. Most nations do not even play any golf at all.

Tennis is definitely a much bigger sport than golf, and everybody outside the US already knows that. They respect Federer a lot.
 

Matra1

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I'm afraid it is the same in Canada. The other day there was a discussion on Toronto's main sports radio station about the decline of tennis. A couple of grown men said there were not enough 'personalities' in tennis - they mentioned Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova - and the host dismissed Federer as 'vanilla'. In fairness the same guy went on to say he hated the Williams sisters and only watched tosee them lose. He also said Henin did nothing for him. It was then suggested that Henin should do more with her looks.

This goes beyond race. The desire for 'personality' in a sports star is a feminine trait. I would expect men to be impressed by the accomplishments of athletes in their chosen sport and not concerned about getting to know the athletes personally. Wanting Henin to do something about her looks is the male equivalent of female personality-obsessed shallowness.

Part of the problem is that in North America sport is more about entertainment than athleticism and competition. And we all know what a sewer the entertainment 'industry' has become. Everything is made for the lowest common denominator. Go to any major sporting event and its all hype: rock music blasting; people stuffing their faces; cheerleaders; advertising, etc. Outside of North America sport is considered exciting in itself. No further hype is required. (Though under the influence of Rupert Murdoch and US cultural hegemony that is starting to change.)

During the 1996 World Cup of hockey (formerly the Canada Cup) the NHL took over all organisation of the event including the games played in Europe. I remember at the time reading an article in the Toronto Sun about Czech fans complaining about the distractions at the games. The Czechs, and other Europeans, showed up in large groups with banners and with various national symbols. They wished to sing patriotic songs during stoppages but couldn't because of rock music and advertising being blasted at them as soon as play stopped. As a result everybody agreed the atmosphere was the worst it had ever been for an international tournament in Europe. Apparently it did not occur to the NHL that people in the Czech Republic like the game for what it is AND wanted to participate in their own way rather than being spoon fed what to do from a big screen or loudspeakers.

Sport in itself doesn't seem to be good enough anymore. It must be a multi-media entertainment experience for dullards who need to be constantly amused and distracted. Personality can't be subtle; it must be over the top just like the advertising at a sporting event. Blacks, of course, are more expressive, and so it doesn't surprise me that they are seen as more exciting than whites to morons not used to subtlety with their sports and entertainment. Edited by: Matra1
 

Don Wassall

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Very nice post. All your observations are spot on.


Advertising covering every square inch of space and the constant music are two of the things I can't stand. Even after a team wins a championship, the theme music instantly begins playing and doesn't stop until the scripted ceremony is over. No spontaneous celebrating by the players and fans is allowed.


We're probably not far away now from hockey, basketball, football and baseball players sporting advertisements on their uniforms, ala NASCAR drivers and golfers. Every aspect of society has been corporatized.
 

Poacher

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Matra1 said:
This goes beyond race. The desire for 'personality' in a sports star is a feminine trait. I would expect men to be impressed by the accomplishments of athletes in their chosen sport and not concerned about getting to know the athletes personally. Wanting Henin to do something about her looks is the male equivalent of female personality-obsessed shallowness.

Brilliant!
 

jaxvid

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Matra1 said:
Sport in itself doesn't seem to be good enough anymore. It must be a multi-media entertainment experience for dullards who need to be constantly amused and distracted. Personality can't be subtle; it must be over the top just like the advertising at a sporting event. Blacks, of course, are more expressive, and so it doesn't surprise me that they are seen as more exciting than whites to morons not used to subtlety with their sports and entertainment.

Excellent observation! It's another piece of the castesystem puzzle. Another reason while sports gets bigger but to me is less enjoyable.
 

sunshine

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SI is aiming for the "dullards who need to ne constantly amused and distracted." These aren't true blue sports fans per say and SI over the past several years has gone the hack/entertainment/flavor of the month route.
When Maria made the cover in 2004 I thought they were getting their act together but it turns out that cover was more about her looks etc. than the tennis part. Danica Patrick made the cover for the same reason I guess. And the Beckham puff piece installed at the worst moment--coming off the heels of one of the more historic Wimbledon men's final--now looks even more utterly ridiculous than
it did then .
It is true outside of North America Federer is held in the highest esteem. And SI has screwed him over so many times I don't get as upset as I used to, just more and more bemused.
But I think another factor is at play and shouldn't be overlooked. I think for white kids SI is doing them a grave disservice by ignoring great white athletes.
SI like a lot of other sports media here is intent on drawing up a bigger narrative. Almost gestapo like in the way it makes a fetish out of order. Same can be said of the mechanized rock blaring,advertising hustle going on in ballparks and stadiums throughout. It all seems so Nazi Germany in the ritual of going nowhere fast.
The narrative slots blacks and whites into given roles. The white role models are the pitchers ala Roger Clemens and the drop back QB's like P. Manning and Tom Brady.
They also will put the spotlight on some basketball players with the caveat assuring us their success is NOT predicated on athleticism.
Federer does not follow their order of thinking. If Roddick had piled up 12 majors he would be on the cover even if he wasn't American. Roddick can be explained because he fits the "stereotype" of a power,not speed athlete. Federer on the other hand is everything that spells athletic. He has incredible grace , ease and flow, moves like a mountain lion and explodes in all facets of the game. His movement around the court is a wonder to behold. His creativity and skill is beyond compare. He is the most dazzling athlete in the world.
But SI won't fit him into their narrative because HE DOES NOT FIT THEIR IDEAL OF A WHITE ATHLETE.
This is another reason why hockey players have suddenly disappeared from SI covers. Sidney Crosby is a perfect example of a speedy young explosive athlete who in a fair and just world would have been on the SI cover at least once by now who has yet to get his time.
By slotting white athletes into certain roles SI and other media are giving white children the short end of the stick and that to me is the biggest shame of all.
 

Matra1

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Thanks for the compliments. I know many people beyond these boards are thinking the same things.

The only time I ever read SI is when I'm in the waiting room at a doctor's or dentist's. There's really very little in it that is worth reading.

According to sunshine Danica Patrick has been on the cover. That's ridiculous and I don't think it is only because of her looks. It must have something to do with a woman competing relatively well in a male sport. Dividing white women and white men is a long established practice of the cultural Marxists: A divided white population is in their interests. (Dan Wheldon has won the Indycar series and the Indy 500 yet he's never been near an SI cover). Justine Henin is far more accomplished in her sport than Danica Patrick who is in one of the best cars and has never won a race. I guess Justine just isn't as useful to the SI agenda.
 
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