05/04/2024
Here comes another rant ... sorry not sorry!
The dark side of todays Podcasting Influencers!
In the age of social media, the influence of sports personalities extends far beyond the field, the court or road. With the rise of podcasts and social media feeds, lesser known sporting prowess figures have emerged and are starting to have a direct line to their (mostly paid for) followers, offering insights, advice, and opinions on various aspects of their respective sports.
However, a concerning trend has emerged where some influencers who have not achieved success, have not had the experience and haven't the actual factual knowledge in their sport are spreading unfounded dribble, impacting the sport's growth and integrity.
One of the primary issues is that these influencers often lack the expertise and experience to provide accurate and valuable insights. While their platforms may be large, their knowledge base is often shallow, leading to the dissemination of misinformation. This misinformation can be damaging, particularly when it comes to technical aspects of the sport or advice on training and performance enhancement and the commercial running of teams and events..
Moreover, these influencers often prioritise views and likes over accuracy, leading them to make sensationalist claims or either endorse or 's**t can' products, events and ideas without proper research or understanding. This behaviour not only misleads their followers but also undermines the credibility of the sport especially when it comes to the eyes of corporate sponsors and backers. The corporate marketing teams are seeing likes, follows and views, not the real validity of growing, nurturing and developing athletes in any one sport.
Corporate sponsors, obviously, play a crucial role in the growth and development of sports, providing financial support and resources that enable athletes to compete and build a pathway to the highest level. However, when these sponsors see influencers and podcasters with large followings endorsing questionable practices or products or destroying hopes and dreams of new teams, events and athlete development programs, they may begin to question the integrity of the sport as a whole.
Furthermore, the influence of these personalities can extend to the behaviour and the opportunity of young athletes. When they see their idols promoting certain practices or products, and or degrading others they may be more likely to emulate them, leading to the potential demise of the sport.
To address these issues, it is essential for sports organisations and governing bodies to take a proactive approach. They should work to educate athletes, fans, and sponsors about the importance of accurate information and the potential dangers of following influencers blindly. Additionally, they should establish clear guidelines for influencers, ensuring that they are held accountable for the information and or disinformation they disseminate.
While influencers can play a positive role in promoting sports and engaging fans, their influence must be wielded responsibly. By spreading unfounded knowledge and prioritising views over accuracy, these influencers are inhibiting the growth of sport and eroding its commercial integrity. It is up to sports organisations, athletes, and fans to demand better and ensure that the information being shared is accurate, reliable, and beneficial to the sport as a whole.
Rant over. ... interested in your thoughts.
