Sports media is currently bigger than it has ever been. Apart from traditional fields of entertainment like television, many entertainers have now taken over the digital world, and many have released their own shows for sports fans. While ESPN and TNT ruled as the Michael Jordan of the sports media world for decades, the landscape of the industry has recently shifted more toward the internet.
Although traditional media is still relevant and going strong, Washington Wizards legend Gilbert Arenas is here to give TV analysts a run for their money.
Taking down the Michael Jordan of sports entertainment
Complex recently released its list of the most entertaining sports media personalities. Though it contained household names like Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, who have been constantly in the limelight with the Inside the NBA show, many creators who have recently started their own shows online have also made the cut.
Gilbert Arenas was ranked 7th on the list which was above personalities like Skip Bayless and Colin Cowherd. But more than just making this list, what made Arenas happy was getting ranked among ESPN employees who have been working in the sports media world for decades.
Arenas said, “All ESPN analysts, ESPN and TNT, so they prime time… It wasn’t even about Skip (Bayless), but Skip is like the Michael Jordan of all of it; it kinda had to point him out.“
While Skip Bayless has been in the industry for decades, it has not been long since Arenas released his No Chill podcast, yet he has now cemented himself as one of the best entertainers in the business, and it won’t be long before he further climbs up the ladder and takes over Shannon Sharpe who was ranked 1st on the list.
The newcomers making noise in sports media
Along with Arenas, other entertaining athletes like JJ Redick, Draymond Green, and Kevin Garnett also made the list for the entertainment that they bring to the table. But to add another layer in this, there are individuals who have knowledge in the field sharing their wisdom with others, like Kenny Beecham, who runs the Kenny Beecham Show.
In recent years, internet personalities have started their own shows to give their insights and feedback on the happenings in the basketball world. While many have stepped into it, some have been extremely successful with what they bring to the table. This has now propelled them into competing with already established entertainers in the sports world.