What to do with game stories

            Game stories, a long practiced custom in the sports world, have lost significance as generations and technologies age and grow.  There is no reason for a sports fan to read about a specific game altering play when he or she can go on their computer and watch the same play.  Highlight packages are more exciting than droning recaps and also use the same sensory system we use when we are watching the actual games.

            In his piece Let’s Reinvent the Game Story, Jason Fry offers examples of how to change the way game stories are written to make them more appealing to readers.  The most compelling option he presents is the idea to allow writers to inject their opinions into recaps, giving readers the opportunity to think about these opinions and then agree or disagree, finding their own personal stance.

            Many sports media figures have become popular by throwing around opinions.  Skip Bayless and Colin Cowherd, while despised by many, are inarguably successful at what they do: drawing an audience to their programs.  These figures, along with argumentative shows like Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn, are predicated on the idea of clashing opinions.  The audience doesn’t necessarily have to agree with the opinions being offered, but these personalized views give the audience a chance to engage with the story.

            Some might argue the integrity of the game story may be compromised if authors are adding their unabashed opinions on players and teams in a game recap.  I concede that the style of game stories will definitely change, but something must be compromised if these stories need to be invigorated and opinionated pieces will provide a boost in readership.  When the producer of First Take, Jamie Horowitz, first took over the show he said, “I looked at research, and the brand that resonated most for our fans was debate”.  In the first six months after becoming producer and increasing the number of debate segments on the show, ratings went up by almost 200,000 viewers as Deadspin recorded (hyperlink).

            Papers and journals should follow the lead of Horowitz and new media by giving writers more room to elaborate on their personal thoughts.  Readers will engage more with the writing and find something they would not in a highlight package. Devout, old school journalists will be pissed off, mud will be thrown by Bayless wannabes, and readers will flock.