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leafnose
see......I agree with Rampage on this
There's little harm in the rhetoric of optimism in the return of major sports
Yes, the facts remain grim, however the "promise" of a nearer future of athletic entertainment isn't damaging.
Yes...and no, IMO.
The "rhetoric of optimism in the return of major sports" is fine
provided that it is grounded in some type of scientific evidence.For example, if Amgen were to announce that it made a scientific breakthrough that would allow it to develop a safe vaccine for coronavirus by the end of June, then I could see the rationale for for optimistic rhetoric concerning the return of major sports by the Fall.
But if, say...a prominent politician were to appear on TV and say that he was optimistic on the return of major sports by the Fall because...well, he/she feels as though it was their job to promote optimism...well, I'm sorry...that can be harmful.
How, you say?
Well, as the original article discusses, most collegiate athletic programs are dependent on the football/basketball teams generating enough money for the other programs to survive. A desperate athletic program located in a state, that hasn't been particularly aggressive in terms of testing/social distancing policies, may see such rhetoric (as baseless as it may be) as cover for them to resume regular activities to generate income. This could, potentially, put their athletes, students, and coaches unnecessarily at risk.
