When it comes to keeping up with the Baltimore Ravens, social media is my main source of information. I follow many of the players (and even their girlfriends) on Instagram and TikTok for a more behind the scenes look at their lives. One of my favorite “WAGS” is Elena Yates, girlfriend to Mark Andrews. Twitter (X) is where I check for reactions to plays and games, but I don’t tune into the news at all. Instead, I rely on podcasts, YouTube highlights, and social media for updates. I also stream games on Fubo instead of dealing with cable, which makes it way easier to watch without paying for channels I’ll never use.
Five years ago, I consumed sports media a lot differently. I still watched games on cable and checked ESPN for updates. Now, social media gives me direct “access” to what’s happening, whether it’s game-day routines, off-season training, or personal moments that players share. I barely pay attention to traditional sports journalism anymore because I’d rather hear things straight from the athletes themselves and feel more personally connected.
In the future, I think sports media will get even more interactive and personalized. With AI on the up and up, it will probably filter updates based on what I actually care about, and I wouldn’t be surprised if virtual reality becomes part of how we watch games. Maybe I’ll actually get to see a Baltimore Ravens game from the 100 section! More athletes are also taking control of their own narratives, so I think we’ll see less reliance on traditional reporters. One of my favorite podcasts is Unapologetically Angel, where Angel Reese (WNBA) showcases her big personality in such a fun light with other big name guests such as Dwayne Wade and the Ball brothers.
If I could change one thing about sports media, it would be shifting more control to the athletes. The way traditional sports media spins stories for engagement can be frustrating, and a lot of times, players don’t get to control their own narratives. I’d love to see more platforms that let them share their own stories without everything getting taken out of context. It would make the connection between fans and players even stronger and give us a more real, unfiltered look at the game.