Sports Absolutely Do Not Need Politicians More Involved
Hello and welcome to another edition of Free Agent! Why not try getting a little creative with your wedges today?
Congratulations to the half of you that were rooting for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the half of you that were rooting for the Florida Panthers. (Glad I’m not the only one who noticed the Thunder celebration was weirdly muted.) Today, we’re talking about a proposal to regulate sports broadcasts, and get into a little sports betting legalization debate. Then we’ll get into taxes and the NHL, plus a quick hit on a soccer movie. Let’s go!
Locker Room Links
- In case you missed the drama, the Los Angeles Dodgers were set to announce $1 million in funds for “direct financial assistance for families of immigrants impacted by recent events in the region” (i.e. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids), delayed it by a day because federal law enforcement showed up at Dodger Stadium gates, the Dodgers announced it a day late, and some fans still aren’t happy.
- Give me a break: “FIFA criticized after dropping anti-racism messages at Club World Cup.” Has anyone ever stopped being racist because they saw “no racism” at a soccer game or “end racism” in an NFL end zone? It’s empty virtue-signaling.
- Growing numbers of NBA players are children of former players, thanks to connections and money.
- Follow-up to last week’s section on World Cup visas: Senegal’s women’s basketball team had some of its visas rejected for what was supposed to be a 10-day training camp in the U.S. (You may have also heard that a certain country that’s already qualified for the 2026 World Cup got bombed by the U.S.)
- Elsewhere in Reason: “A Brief, Bloody History of All the Times the U.S. Caused Chaos in the Middle East“
- Do you think this guy asked the local government to subsidize this project because of all the economic development and tax revenue his Wiffle ball stadium will bring to town?
Guy built a wiffle ball park in his backyard, the design of Fenway Park with seating on the monster and a Citgo Sign that lights up! pic.twitter.com/1SJE17mDcq
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) February 28, 2025
Keep Politicians Away From Sports
Does anyone really want more political bickering over sports?
In a truly terrible New York Times guest essay (thanks to subscriber Nathan for sending it my way), that’s what former ESPN staff writer Joon Lee calls for. Not directly, of course, but more political bickering over sports would be the obvious result of what he wants. Politicians disagree about most things, often in stupid ways, and getting them more involved in sports will just make them disagree about sports in stupid ways.
For example, Lee writes that “Congress could also take inspiration from Britain’s ‘crown jewel’ rule and designate key sporting events—perhaps the World Series, the Super Bowl, the N.B.A. Finals—as nationally significant and require that they air on free, widely accessible platforms.” [Emphasis added.]
Note the absences from that list: the Stanley Cup Finals, for one, but there are also zero women’s sporting events. Think that’s going to fly with Democrats? Republicans from SEC country might be aghast at the lack of college football events on the list. Or imagine Congress delegates the designation of these events to some agency in the president’s bureaucracy: Every time
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
