SportsCenter's Social Media Account Addresses Blowback by Getting Rid Of Sports Icon Graphic

ESPN appears to have overlooked valuable lessons around inclusive representation. This was notably highlighted in Bleacher Report's 2019 World Cup graphic, which controversially featured personalities such as Oprah, Tom Cruise, and the Friends cast, prompting significant criticism regarding their choices. Recently, the SportsCenter X account launched a new promotional graphic as part of their direct-to-consumer service campaign, but it strayed from expected formats. The graphic proclaimed: “All the icons. All the moments. All of ESPN. And all in one place.” However, following negative feedback, the final version showcased a lineup that included: • 11 WNBA players • 10 NFL athletes • 5 college football competitors Critics pointed out the graphic’s imbalance, particularly noting the absence of notable figures like golfer Scottie Scheffler, alongside just two representatives from MLB. This has led some to claim that ESPN's focus on select leagues signifies a pursuit of an overly "woke" agenda instead of simply promoting their service offerings.