Sports Media Archives

MLB’s Bible Verse Warning Is the Story. JD Vance Just Made It Bigger.

June 16, 2026June 16, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Three San Francisco Giants pitchers faced potential penalties from Major League Baseball for writing “Gen 9:12-16” on their Pride caps, referencing a biblical covenant symbolized by the rainbow. This selective enforcement contrasts previous leniency shown to players like Clayton Kershaw. The incident highlights MLB’s political sensitivity amid evolving attitudes toward social expression.

2 - Analysis / Basketball / Business / Business of Sports / Culture / Culture & Institutions / Dead Reckoning / Entertainment & Media / Media / Media & Influence / News & Media / Opinion / Politics / Politics / Sports / Voice / Waves & Tidings

They Burned the Sanctuary Down

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The author reflects on the transformation of sports into a political arena, particularly focusing on the Knicks’ return to the NBA Finals after 27 years. He laments the loss of a once neutral space for fans, where politics were set aside, due to deliberate actions by athletes and media to infuse activism into sports culture.

2 - Analysis / Business / Business of Sports / Culture / Culture & Institutions / Dead Reckoning / Entertainment & Media / Media / Media & Influence / News & Media / Politics / Politics / Sports

The Dart Standard

June 1, 2026June 1, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Jaxson Dart, a New York Giants quarterback, faced backlash after introducing President Trump at a campaign event, prompting media scrutiny and a team meeting. The situation highlighted a disparity in reactions to political expressions by athletes, contrasting Dart’s experience with previous endorsements of President Obama, indicating a bias based on political alignment.

Business of Sports / Colleges / Education / Education / Power Structures / Sports

Stop Calling Them “Conferences”: The Power Two, the Oregon–JMU Reality, and College Football’s Semi-Pro Truth

December 21, 2025December 21, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The commentary by Michael Phillips emphasizes that college football has shifted from amateur competition to a money-driven system dominated by the SEC and Big Ten, now seen as “cartels.” This structural advantage leads to unequal opportunities, as demonstrated in the Oregon-James Madison game, highlighting economic disparities that favor wealthier programs.