ESPN is the worst – The sports media “giant” is crumbling, creating stories that don’t matter

I was eating lunch, when a small television propped in front of my table was tuned into ESPN.

Five minutes is all I could take.

Forget all the current sports news—Lebron James going for his second title and trying to get revenge against the Spurs; how the Tar Heels barely secured its spot in the NCAA men’s baseball tournament; how the Red Sox and Rays went 14 innings then brawled; or that even the Stanley Cup playoffs are happening.

ESPN has a better story — Tim Tebow.

Yes, an average quarterback—who has won a playoff game, who has some of the worst throwing mechanics in the NFL, who loves his mother so much he made a creepy commercial about it, who threw for 39 yards last year with the New York Jets—is the biggest story.

Sure, something did happen to the once-heralded quarterback. Tebow was signed to the New England Patriots. That’s really all the news.

I’m here to tell you it means nothing. Throw all the stats out the window. Set aside speculation.

As you watch and grovel over ESPN as I did for those five minutes, think about what you’re watching—a 24-news channel that has so enlarged a head that it has convinced itself that a guy who made a handful of brilliant plays during his college career is still worth discussing.

It’s not Tim Tebow who is the problem. It’s ESPN.

ESPN has tricked itself into believing it is the only credible sports news source out there. When it isn’t spewing news, it’s relying on a rotating cast of characters who take this news and throw it in the nether regions of rumor. If you want to travel to outer space, watch “First Take,” you’ll be on Jupiter in seconds.

Those characters include (or have included) Skip Bayless, Chris Broussard, Rob Parker, Woody Paige, Jay Mariotti, Stephen A. Smith, Rick Reilly, and more. Some of those characters know what they’re talking about—cough, Bill Simmons, cough. Some of them couldn’t convince a brick that they’re legitimate authorities on topics—cough, Woody Paige, Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, cough.

Buying into these characters’ often trivial pursuits and rumors, ESPN has created a culture of non-stories. ESPN is fascinated only by its knack of creating its own highlight reel to show to themselves. In between segments, they’ll run those classic “This is Sportscenter” commercials while they’re at it.

ESPN wants you to believe you have no choice when it comes to getting sports news because they’ve made themselves believe that, too. It’s a noble cause, but it’s filled with more holes than a pound of Swiss cheese.

Viewers have a choice. Now, more than ever—NFL Network, NBA TV, NBC Sports Network, Deadspin, Bleacher Report…This list also runs pages long.

By alienating viewers with a story repeated over months about a mediocre talent who has good looks but can’t throw a proper spiral, ESPN not only does itself a disservice but also its audience.

ESPN is daring you to look away. Now’s your chance, guys. It’s easier than you think. Trust me, once you go back for five minutes, you’ll be happy you left in the first place.