Again, imagine an alternate world where the professional sports leagues had gotten together to collaborate on a public health message from the start. “We’re all One Team” or something. Advocating masks and facilitating test sites and funding. It *may* have pulled us together.

Instead, leagues toadied to Trump’s anti-public health stance and his orders to get back on the field. It’s game-by-game, infection by infection, play on despite outbreaks and public health consequences.

Every single entity in sports has put self-interest and economic interests above public health, although some like the NBA have tried to offset that by funding public testing. I suspect that is why some people have turned away from watching, the denial.

Think of what we’ve seen on sports broadcasts in the pandemic — students rushing the field to celebrate, coaches refusing to wear masks or wearing them as chinstraps when forced, colleges refusing to be clear about outbreaks, and clearing players and teams before CDC guidelines.

Even when all sports leagues were tacitly agreeing to do was set a good example for audiences, they couldn’t do that. If a covid positive player wants to celebrate the World Series on the field, no harm no foul.

Our pro leagues don’t just ask you for your money. They ask for love, for loyalty, for you to give your Boston newborn the middle name Brady. It has been jarring to see the return on that emotional investment was so weak when fanbases could have used information and team spirit.