This is a message that I sent to ESPN earlier today, which I’m sure has been deleted without being read, but it’s important to me, and I hope you all agree with the sentiment I express:
Dear ESPN:
If you’re going to televise a competitive eating contest, that indicates that it is in your eyes a sport. I think it’s a sport, and is of great interest to me. This is why I’m concerned that you just show propaganda for a MLE/IFOCE contest, while ignoring the sports greatest competitor of all time setting a new world record by eating 69 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes at another location on the 4th of July.What your broadcast has turned into is just a mouthpiece for the MLE/IFOCE- if you’re not going to cover the sport, then don’t air a farce and act like it’s treating the athletes and fans with respect.I’m not saying that you needed to air Kobayashi’s exhibition, but you should have at least mentioned that it was happening, and let viewers know the result, as well as have some discussion of the issues he has with MLE. Right now it seems like the Shea brothers are controlling the content for your broadcast, which is irresponsible.
If you don’t know to what I’m referring, read my earlier post on the issues between Takeru Kobayashi and Major League Eating.