The art of selling can influence more fields than one can imaginatively fathom. From selling stories to selling friendship bracelets and premium apparel, FOX sideline reporter, Erin Andrews, has quickly elevated from being a popular news curator to that of a successful entrepreneur. Wear by Erin Andrews has struck a major partnership deal with one of the biggest noise makers in the NFL segment. The FOX sideline reporter revealed that her brand has officially partnered with Deion Sanders and Colorado for their new “Coach Prime” line.

However, Jason Whitlock and Steve Kim think this is a terrible idea. In Whitlock’s recent YouTube video, both sit down to discuss how the relationship shared between Andrews and Sanders can prove disastrous from the perspective of college football. Apart from Prime Time, the du0 reels in yet another serving NFL legend who has shared similar connections with media personalities to further business interest. 

Whitelock and Kim call out the “Coach Prime” line

“The media is in business with a newsmaker,” and according to sports analyst  Jason Whitlock, it is “not a good look” in his opinion. Whitelock highlights how twenty-twenty-five years back this move would have been absolutely unacceptable. “Major no, no, newsmakers don’t get into bed with people allegedly covering them,” he opined before explaining how the involvement of a media personality with a sports entity he or she covers and creates stories around can turn manipulative once business terms are integrated into their relationship. Steve Kim concurs, observing that her employer, Fox Sports, wields substantial influence over the coverage and narrative framing in college football. “The lines are not only blurred, there are no lines anymore,” he concluded.

The nature of this collaboration is problematic because it also sends a message to aspiring young reporters, encouraging them to harbor ambitious dreams of partnering with prominent figures not only in college football but also in the NFL. When reporters begin to perceive business prospects, they might not maintain the same level of objectivity and realism in their coverage of star athletes and coaches. The duo discussed a similar situation displayed by another NFL icon, only this time it was more appearance and opinion-centric sports entity-media personality collaboration. 

Aaron Rodgers on the Pat McAfee Show 

“Pat McAfee is paying Aaron Rodgers millions of dollars to appear on the Pat McAfee Show,” states Whitelock. This in a way defeats the purpose of his appearance in the shadow, since he is a “current player” and not retired. “You are not going to get any kind of objective view from the Pat McAfee Show on Aaron Rodgers,” he says before moving on to explain how the media personality’s “authentic views” get diluted, “because, in the back of their minds, they don’t want to be cut off from potentially doing business with these people.”

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“Aaron Rodgers Tuesdays” and “Nick Saban Thursdays” have become regular staples of “The Pat McAfee Show” and host McAfee has agreed to shed seven figures to reel in these iconic sports personalities, “Aaron has made over $1,000,000 with us, for sure.” But does an inherent business interest really turn journalism yellow? This is some serious food for thought. 

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