Whether you like it or not, sports television is undeniably playing a huge role in the world of sports, especially in a multi-billion dollar firm such as the NBA. And though some may disagree, sports TV adds extra flavor to the game. In fact, some even binge on it. And one of the reasons why sports TV is constantly finding success all these years is because of the casts.
Over the years, we’ve seen an array of former NBA players land a role in sports television. But arguably, only a few of them are as blunt as former Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors star Jalen Rose.
Players-turned-sports TV casts are underpaid
In a tell-it-all interview with GQ, Rose was asked to divulge a few things regarding how much former professional athletes like him make as sports TV personalities. As expected, the outspoken analyst quickly stressed that “former players are underpaid in this media game.”
When asked to hint at how much they are being underpaid, Rose dropped a whopping figure and boldly claimed, “50 percent!”
According to Jalen, one thing he noticed is that all former athletes are dispensable on sports TV. And this usually happens “when they get too expensive.”
“All former players should be getting double what they’re getting right now…they continue to change over the former player when they get too expensive and then they bring in someone to replace them,” Rose revealed.
Without putting a racial undertone on it, Rose also explained why as much as possible, the high-ups always want a “Black player” on every show or segment. As for the primary host, usually, it’s a “white” guy, and that host gets to keep his name on the title of the show.
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Ultimately, regardless of how much success the former players induce to the show, the host will always get paid more than them.
“Players are the minority in terms of talent on sports television,” he claimed. “For example: basketball and football, college and professional, are predominantly Black. So, when you talk about those sports, you have to have one Black player on set. It legitimizes and balances the conversation. So, in hiring, their balance is to have one white host. But, as players get more expensive, networks think they can recycle talent and rinse and repeat. Meanwhile, the host has their name on the shows, or in the descriptions or on the TV Guides, and keeps the job forever while making four times the money that the player they’re asking the question makes…When you’re watching a sports show from now on, remember the host makes more than the players.”
But why?
When asked why Rose broke it down into two main reasons. First, he thinks that “corporate America” wants to portray former athletes as entities with limited capabilities to succeed in the media industry. Second is that the people that pull the strings simply want to stay in control of everything at all times, and there’s no way former athletes are getting all that credit on their watch.
“Because we’ve been minimized by corporate America to believe we need to latch onto somebody or something to have staying power, or that we are replaceable once we get to a certain price point…The next part of this is ownership: athletes make a lot of content, but own very little of it. It reminds me of record labels. You get a salary, you do your content and you don’t own anything.”
Jalen knows his value
Rose has been a sports TV personality since 2007. However, some may not know, but journalism and broadcasting have been his thing for more than two decades now.
Having gotten to do professional sports and media for years, Rose is certain about what his value is on both platforms. And based on his assessment, he’d make more money had he decided to pursue a career in media, not the NBA.
“I’d make more money if I wasn’t a former player,” Rose concluded. “Look at my resume. This is what I studied in college. I graduated from Michigan. I’ve been on TV for 20 years. I’m a bestselling author, I write a column every week in the New York Post and a podcast, I do a show on Amazon every Saturday. I’m featured on ESPN and have my own show there. That’s ultimate unique value.”
For sure, everything that Rose said would somehow have an effect on sports television viewers. Some might even have a different respect for former players who are now part of the media. For what it’s worth, Rose made quite a point with his shocking revelation, and it will be interesting to see how his career will pan out as one of the most controversial and entertaining sports TV personalities there is. So let’s just wait and see.
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