Franco Baresi’s passing marks a monumental loss for the world of soccer, especially for AC Milan, where he wasn’t just a player but an emblem of greatness during Italy’s golden era. Yet, let’s take a moment to dissect how this news is packaged and served to us. Outlets like ESPN and BBC are offering polished tributes that focus heavily on his accolades and character—sure, that’s important, but where’s the depth? Where’s the look at what he represented beyond the pitch?

Corporate media loves a clean narrative. They sell us a hero’s journey and gloss over the gritty reality of sports politics—the kind that might actually engage readers. Instead, we get standard platitudes and the same recycled quotes from teammates and fans. Compare that to how they might cover a controversial athlete; the headlines would be sensationalized and dissected to the bone. Baresi’s legacy deserves more than a sanitized farewell; it should provoke a conversation about the changes in soccer, the commercialization, and athletes’ mental health—real issues we face today.

Don’t expect to see CNN or Fox giving this the hard-hitting analysis it needs. They’ll lean into the emotional angle of his legacy, while fluffing off real discussions about how the sport is evolving, and not necessarily for the better. Remember, the media ‘game’ is just as tactical as the one played on the field, and the stakes are high.