“In the world of sport, influence takes many forms” – Wally Mason, Sports Editor, The Australian. Does it? As a sports fan, enthusiast and participant, etc, I was let down by The Australian’s ‘Top 50 in Australian Sport’ list.
I was also shocked in more ways than one.
Firstly, conceptually. I mean, the idea is ripe, let’s not confuse that. We’ve seen the success these glorified bullet lists can bring to media organisations, Time Magazine being the most notable example here.
For a privately owned media organisation to single out and actively rank the 50 most influential people in Australian sport is kind of left field, and that really appealed to me.
Admittedly I was excited to see who made the cut when I first heard of the list. What I didn’t want, and ultimately what I got, was a list of the rich and famous of Australian sport – not limited to sportsmen and sportswomen themselves.
“Perhaps the most difficult thing to come to terms with when compiling the list was the realisation that administrators, media executives, mega-rich club owners, politicians, agents and commentators are likely to have more influence on sport than the people who actually get out on the field,” Wally Mason, again.
I’m speaking on behalf of Australian sports fans here, so I apologise for anyone whose views I haven’t accurately depicted. However, I have made my own list:
– Sports fans don’t want this list.
– Sports fans don’t need this list
– Sports fans don’t care about this list.
There’s a practical list for you.
Why do I think this list is a failure? The topic range is neither here, nor there. It’s too specific, and too general all at once.
The list is admittedly based on the influence these people have on sport. Influence, it appears, that comes from status i.e. money. Sports fans don’t want to know who has the most pull within a sport because they have the most power, we want to know who the most influential sports stars are because of their ability to perform in ways which we rarely witness.
An appraisal of the most powerful executives in sport is not really something the fans necessarily care about, nor something that needs a numerical ranking system applied.
All in all, the Top 50 in Sport list doesn’t hit home with the people it really should: sports fans.
albert_khouri15
Roar Rookie
You'd think the Sports Editor of The Australian and his esteemed and select group of writers and editors who compiled this list would be able to put something decent together though, wouldn't you?
albert_khouri15
Roar Rookie
Australian Rules, I guess what "rankles" me so much is the fact that only about 15/16 actual sportspeople have been included in this list. I'm a fan of sports because I love the thrill of the contest, the competitiveness of the players, and the professional levels which these athletes maintain and juniors aspire to one day achieve. Personally, I feel this deserves more accolade than the organisation of the sport by the wealthy CEO's and other executives and commentators. I appreciate the delicate business that is the way in which sports are marketed and organised behind the scenes, but I feel this isn't necessarily worthy of glorification - not as much as the skill, perseverance and entertainment factor attributable to the athletes alone, which at the end of the day is what draws me in to sport.
albert_khouri15
Roar Rookie
David Gallop is number 8. I wonder if his rank would go up/down now that he's 'stepped down'
Beny Iniesta
Guest
I sure hope David Gallop isn't on this list. Looks like Vlad has claimed another victim.
Australian Rules
Guest
Albert, I'm not sure what raknles you so much about the "Top 50" list. First, as you say, everyone loves a list. They have a readability and subjectivity which make great fodder for publishers and consumers alike. Lists are conversation starters. Second, I find lists that claim to designate the "best" sportsman to be almost pointless. Sure they're fun but the fact that such a list is overwhelmingly subjective and would change with every person who wrote it makes each one seem hollow and have a shelf life of one week. Conversely, a list (such as the "Top 50" above) which talks about influence and power in the world of sport is kind of relevant. Rather than argue over who is the "best" fly-half or "best" striker, you can actually gain consensus about who is the most influential figure in sport by measuring one's position, relative power, market share, resources, political influence, demographics etc. Well it interest me anyway.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
These things are debating points at the very least. People are free to put up alternatives as to who they think are the most influential people in Australian sport, although personally, I wouldn't have a clue.