Gaming, a sport?
A few weeks ago when I was bowling with some friends we got into the discussion of what constitutes a sport. I wont’ go into it all right now, but I would say that bowling is definitely a sport. Now the question to ask is, is computer gaming a sport?
Major League Gaming now has an agreement with ESPN that will provide content for ESPN.com which will also include online video of various events and matches. ESPN includes bowling, billiards, darts, poker, and a bunch of other non-mainstream sports, but how far are they going to push it. Personally I would say that neither poker nor online gaming are sports, but they are competitions and for that ESPN is choosing to carry them on their network.
So, in your opinion, does this partnership make sense? Should ESPN carry Major League Gaming events on their website for now? Will it lead to them putting it on tv opposite Sunday football when they are desperate for a different target audience?
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Comments
Sadly bowling is a sport because when you look up “sport” in the dictionary, it is listed as an example. However, I prefer to watch sports that reward people for excellence at a combination of (1) quickness/speed, (2) strength/endurance, (3) leaping ability, and (4) body response and hand-eye coordination to a dynamic object/environment, essentially, requiring gifted athletes to play them.
Based on that criteria, lets look at some examples…
Baseball, basketball, and football rewards all of these components. Hockey rewards 3 of them. Boxing rewards 3. Track and field reward 2 in any given event. Golf, Bowling, Darts, and ski ball require 1.
So is ESPN broadcasting sports? Yes. Are they broadcasting sports that require gifted athletes to play them, and therefore make me want to watch? No.
First a quip for Aaron…while I am not a golfer, I will suggest that what golfers do reqires strength and endurance (try walking 18 holes on a hot day for 4 hours…or at least an equal distance), quickness/speed in a different sense than what the other sports need (hitting balls that distance is not all about technology), and the obvious body response. It is not the same as the “big” 4 sports, but you the player determine the outcome.
As for what ESPN shows…we know they show sports and competitions (Spelling Bee! International Paper, Rock, Scissors Championship?). The definition of sports does not answer the question of what is and is not a sport, and being on ESPN tv or website does not make it a sport.
Showing gaming on its network (in any medium) is simply ESPN trying to grow its audience and its viewership inexpensively (i.e. not paying the big bucks for additional big time college and pro sporting events. I am not going to watch, but I am sure people will watch. They might even tune into SportsCenter afterward, although they will not see highlights of their just finished event…at least that is what I think. *I have watched a riding lawn mower race on The Deuce though.
Nevertheless, its all about expanding itself and growing its product in an inexpensive manner. Who knows what’s next…international trampoline jumping? I still watch plenty of events on ESPN, so it does not matter to me what is shown on The Family of Networks when I am not watching.
Love the comments guys and I think you have a pretty well defined categorization for sports in your response Aaron, but I do have one question.
Why is leaping ability in there? I know that it is an athletic move, but it doesn’t seem like coming off the ground should be required, or even, make another sport better than the next because of jumping in the air. Care to respond and fill us in?
OK, Golf is NOT a sport.
A sport has to have head-to-head competition, and Golf does not have that. If I really whack the hell out of my balls, you can still win, because my ball whacking ability doesn’t affect your ball whacking ability.
This is also why Bowling is not a sport.
Both of those games, you could save a lot of time and just compare scores.
Also, like TD said, what ESPN shows is no criteria for wether it’s a sport or not.
TD, I like the game of golf, but it fits that it ranks low on my “qualifies as a sport” criteria.
If getting a tan and walking a couple hundred yards to the next place to get a cold drink, while someone else carries your bag and holds your shade umbrella, qualifies an activity as a sport, then yes, golf is a great sport.
Point 2. John Daly. If you can be 100 pounds overweight, chain smoke, show up drunk to the “sport” and still win the competition, then I hesitate to rank it that high. Also, when one of your top golfers is nicknamed “boobs” you can’t have too much pride in how athletic your sport is. Strength is the only criteria golf qualifies for.
All my respect to Tiger Woods who’s dad forced him into golf or I’m sure he’d be the starting PG for the lakers.
Otis, Leaping ability is probably just a personal favorite but I think it’s important because it requires pin point body control and adds and extra element of difficulty to any athletic move. Can you jump high, contort your body AND catch a football thrown behind you all at the same time? I mean if you think of all the great athletes, I bet they can all jump high…Vince Carter posterizing the China dude by jumping over his head…MJ taking off form the free throw line…Dwight Clark and “The Catch” in the 1982 NFC championship game… the jumping catches from Griffey and all MLB outfielders…I think it just adds drama because you’re fully extended.
Also, the “head to head” condition is covered under criteria (4) .. response to.. “dynamic object/environment” e.g. your opponent.
BOWLING IS A SPORT!!!