TIME100 Sports Gala just transformed into another celebrity circus, as sports icons strutted their stuff on a red carpet in New York. Seriously, how many big names and flashy entrances do we need to witness before we question the media’s glorification of celebrity culture? This isn’t just a sports event; it’s corporate media reducing the achievements of athletes to mere pageantry.

Networks like ESPN and CNN are all too eager to inflate the drama, focusing on who wore what and how “royal” the entrances were. Let me pose the question: while you’re busy fawning over overpriced suits and gowns, where’s the discussion on actual sports issues? In the same breath, we hear about athletes advocating for social justice, yet when it comes to their visibility in the media, it’s fashion statements over fortitude. ESPN could have used this platform to discuss real issues like player mental health or systemic racism in sports, but no; let’s stick to the glossy glam.

Now, contrast this with outlets like Fox Sports, which often veer into sensationalism, focusing on hot takes rather than meaningful analysis. They’ll give you shock-value commentary but shy away from substance, perpetuating a narrative that prioritizes ratings over reality.

In an age where social media gives everyone a voice, the fact that traditional media still prioritizes star power over actual significant conversations reeks of a hidden agenda; it’s about clicks and not credibility. Time to wake up, media elites: our athletes deserve better than being reduced to mere props on a red carpet.