Sports viewership around the world has been on a small decline, but the emergence of celebrity-type athletes have been catching the eyes of new viewers. Celebrities have also received some disapproval from veteran fans and athletes. With sports constantly evolving could this be something that becomes a new requirement. 

In times before, players would rely on their skills to get them the publicity they deserved, but now that does not seem to be the case. Also each endorsement athletes got would help out the entire team, not just a single player. Now athletes are being handed ludicrous brand deals and contracts for being a popular personality. 

When asked about this senior Mark Roman said, “It’s been going on for a while… like the Lakers won the championship last year and players still left them for other teams that offered them more individually.”

Athletes like Lebron James, Dwayne Johnson, Mike Tyson and many more have dipped their toes in the movie business. The most followed person on Instagram is world famous soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo. Brands are offering athletes huge amounts of money to use their products or say/post that they are pleased with their product. 

Roman has an opinion.

“They are just building their brand which isn’t a bad thing,” he said.

With players who aren’t all that great at the sport they play, being handed large amounts of money for what feels like nothing makes other fans less than happy about it. 

Roman acknowledged the disapproval.

“Obviously they’re doing it for themselves,” he said, but, “It’s fair if they work their way up.”

Not only the athletes who are the best at their respective sports, but also those who aren’t all that great. Failed athletes can now just jump ship and become social media stars and still earn a living off of each sponsorship they get.

However, Roman stated, “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s all about the high bucks.”

At the end of the day everyone is trying to make a living.

Even the reverse is happening with celebrities becoming professional athletes, most famously, influencers Jake Paul and Logan Paul becoming professional boxers. These new celebrity-turned athletes have huge followings and can put pressure on these huge athletes and organizations to take them seriously. 

Roman said, “It’s kinda not cool that they get the opportunities they get by using the media to pressure these professional athletes.”

Which has become a popular opinion. Some athletes have trained their whole life with a hundred percent dedication and never got their big break and instead famous people are stealing their chances at glory.

Although sports are always changing the core will always stay the same. The best players will be remembered and those who burned out won’t. 

Roman agreed.

“I think if you’re good at the sport, your game will talk for you.”