Major League Baseball (MLB) just had two days of its annual All-Star festivities a week ago, and now the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) is taking a couple of days to do the same.
Question: Who other than the players and the media covering them needs this? Answer: I have no idea.
The games are usually not at all compelling, and the wraparound events, such as the home-run contest in the MLB and a three-point derby in the WNBA, are as much a product of chance as of talent. The NFL’s Pro Bowl, supposedly an all-star event, is so meaningless that it is routinely opted out of by players.
Players chosen to all-star rosters do benefit, as they can argue for more almighty bucks when it comes to contract time. The media can hype the events, plus get all-expenses-paid trips to the host cities to cover the happenings and conduct a zillion interviews.
The WNBA regular-season games themselves have become so interesting that it’s a shame to take a break.
I didn’t watch one minute of the MLB version, and I won’t be watching a minute of the WNBA charade.
Call me an All-Star Scrooge when it comes to these hype-a-thons.
