Current Events > Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open amid media boycott controversy

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chrono625 posted...

Thats not how this works in this regard. She signed a contract to play professionally, takes their money when she wins and all the accolades and in return shes expected to uphold her end of the bargain of appearing to the media. Media and sponsors allow these athletes to make their millions of dollars.

she doesnt want to do that, shes taking a break to find herself. Not one person forced her to do anything.

It will never be the correct way with this kind of attitude. Sponsors and media can rely on the on-field product that these athletes produce and not expect everyone to be a media darling. That's not realistic and it is de facto force. "Suffer in public if you want to be paid to be a professional athlete".

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Gamerguymass posted...

Or she can get cured for the condition she has now that she didn't have before. She has been playing pro since 2013 and never had an issue before but all of a sudden in 2021 this is an issue. I dont know about you, but if I developed some type of condition all of a sudden that I never suffered from before in my life I would want to get cured.

She literally says in her statement that she's always worn headphones because it's always been an issue.

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NeonOctopus posted...

The secret is to have a lot of money AND be unknown, so you can enjoy it without your job or assholes pestering you every minute >_>

This is what I would want. To be a multimillionaire who is out of the spotlight.

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hockeybub89 posted...

Or she can be a great tennis player and only do as much media as she cares too and face absolute zero repercussions. But that would require a society that isn't fucking heartless towards mental health. She's being discriminated against due to her condition.

I hate how even when you are on the right side of an issue you find a way to have a wrong take.

It's not discrimination, it's a shitty policy.

I am diagnosed with severe chronic depression, but I've never once demanded the world bend over backwards for me and then called them discriminatory when they didn't.

It's just a shitty policy, people who want to compete at high levels in a sport should not be obligated do do a bunch of other stuff. The organizations who run these things have way too much power. It's about tennis, not celebrity. Interviews are not tennis so they should not be mandatory.

You want to have an optional "interview bonus" for everybody who does interviews, fine, but they are not tennis and should not be mandatory.

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Gamerguymass posted...

Or she can get cured for the condition she has now that she didn't have before. She has been playing pro since 2013 and never had an issue before but all of a sudden in 2021 this is an issue. I dont know about you, but if I developed some type of condition all of a sudden that I never suffered from before in my life I would want to get cured.

lol what makes you assume it's sudden. Next you'll tell me it's pretty weird that someone suddenly killed themselves in depression when they were smiling while talking with a friend last month.

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refmon posted...

https://twitter.com/KaplanSportsBiz/status/1399457888767205384?s=20

Levels of Irony not thought possible

Makes me wonder what's actually going on here...?

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Damn so shes suffering through depression and still won multiple grand slams in that time? Sounds almost impossible given how depression almost cripples all motivation, kudos to her

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hockeybub89 posted...

It will never be the correct way with this kind of attitude. Sponsors and media can rely on the on-field product that these athletes produce and not expect everyone to be a media darling. That's not realistic and it is de facto force. "Suffer in public if you want to be paid to be a professional athlete".

it seems as if the media is just a symptom to a larger problem she has that needs to addressed away from playing tennis.

telling her its ok you dont have to talk to the media isnt the solution here if you want to talk about mental health awareness.

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joe40001 posted...

I am diagnosed with severe chronic depression, but I've never once demanded the world bend over backwards for me and then called them discriminatory when they didn't.

That's unfortunate. You should probably start demanding. Also, the rest of your post literally talks about changing how things operate to accommodate people.

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Solar_Crimson posted...

Makes me wonder what's actually going on here...?

I mean it can be a possibility a member of the governing body doesnt have the same contractual obligations as the players.

if thats the case - this isnt exactly a gotcha.

one is expecting to have a player just speak about their performance or upcoming match. The other just got news that a star player is conceding.

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CyricZ posted...

Wait.

Is a press conference required?

Yes, it's a part of contracts for most athletes.

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chrono625 posted...

it seems as if the media is just a symptom to a larger problem she has that needs to addressed away from playing tennis.

telling her its ok you dont have to talk to the media isnt the solution here if you want to talk about mental health awareness.

And whatever it is might mean she will never be comfortable with the media. Media obligations don't take all types of people into account. Many people will live and die without ever being good around people, but they could still be great at the meat and potatoes of the field they chose.

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refmon posted...

https://twitter.com/KaplanSportsBiz/status/1399457888767205384?s=20

Levels of Irony not thought possible

Damn thats like trump levels of hypocrisy

chrono625 posted...

I mean it can be a possibility a member of the governing body doesnt have the same contractual obligations as the players.

if thats the case - this isnt exactly a gotcha.

one is expecting to have a player just speak about their performance or upcoming match. The other just got news that a star player is conceding.

If a player is contractually obligated to speak to the media to promote the sport when there's a tournament, then the president of said sport should be contractually obligated to speak to the media when major events of a tournament must be addressed.

But he's not, because he knows he'll get shit from the media about his performance as president given he just lost the biggest name in the sport. So he gives himself the option to walk away.

Unlike Naomi Osaka and many other players.

The issue is not whether she's contractually obligated. It's whether she should be.

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It's part of the job, I'm sure a bunch of other athletes would rather skip the press conferences but they still do them.

"Athletes should shut up and play. No one cares what they have to say."

"Athletes have an obligation to do more than just hit a ball around! They're celebrities and role models and have to obey their sponsors!"

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Gamerguymass posted...

She has been playing pro since 2013 and never had an issue before but all of a sudden in 2021 this is an issue.

Or maybe shes always been dealing with it and decided to do something about it.

Fuck off, stop being fucking dense about someone suffering from mental health issues.
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hockeybub89 posted...

That's unfortunate. You should probably start demanding.

No I shouldn't. I'm a person like everybody else, I'm not entitled to be a bully just because I suffer from some conditions.

Also, the rest of your post literally talks about changing how things operate to accommodate people.

No it doesn't. It talks about a policy being dumb, a policy needing changes relative to how it impacts everybody, not selective changes only for some people.

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SkyUmbreon posted...

then the president of said sport should be contractually obligated to speak to the media when major events of a tournament must be addressed.

but if he isnt, its a non issue.

SkyUmbreon posted...

The issue is not whether she's contractually obligated. It's whether she should be.

then the player representatives for the WTA need to address that in their negotiations of contracts.

But guess what? That wont happen. Because it impacts the bottom line and advertisers which impacts tournament payouts, which, athletes love their millions of dollars.

thats why you have NEGOTIATIONS.

the issue of press conferences and media isnt a black and white issue. There a huge impact of the economics of the respective sports at play here.

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joe40001 posted...

No I shouldn't. I'm a person like everybody else, I'm not entitled to be a bully just because I suffer from some conditions.

Its called the ADA, look it up, yes you are.
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Next up Naomi sues the French Open for damages caused and reputation grievances, the Supreme Court would take her side too. Fuck the corrupt corporate media

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By all means fuck the media but its part of her job. She needs to get over it and quit crying.

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joe40001 posted...

No I shouldn't. I'm a person like everybody else, I'm not entitled to be a bully just because I suffer from some conditions.

No it doesn't. It talks about a policy being dumb, a policy needing changes relative to how it impacts everybody, not selective changes only for some people.

I mean, jobs and society accommodate people for their special conditions all the time. It's ignorant of the reality of the world we live in to be blind to our differences. Ramps and handicapped spots don't accommodate everyone. Is it unfair that someone in a wheelchair doesn't have to go as far through the parking lot as everyone else?

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I don't get why she's not allowed to send a representative on her behalf

like a trainer or a coach or something

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If she doesn't want to do her job she should be in a different field

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Joohny posted...

If she doesn't want to do her job she should be in a different field

The thing is, this shouldn't be part of her job.

If surgeons were contracted obligated to lick rusty exhaust pipes in the parking lot, would be angry at the ones who refused to do it and call for the most skilled ones in the world to quit?

Just drop the stupid requirement.

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UnfairRepresent posted...

The thing is, this shouldn't be part of her job.

If surgeons were contracted obligated to lick rusty exhaust pipes in the parking lot, would be angry at the ones who refused to do it and call for the most skilled ones in the world to quit?

Just drop the stupid requirement.

The difference is, like it or not, sports players are public figures whose worth comes from that as much as it does their skill. Unless she makes money solely from wins alone and has no sponsorships or other obligations, that is a necessary part of the job that earns her hundreds of thousand or millions of dollars, however much professional tennis players earn. I personally think this celebrity worship creates a very unhealthy environment for the celebrities that can lead to situations like this, but I think it's also just an inherent part of the gig, unfortunately.

Nemu posted...

The difference is, like it or not, sports players are public figures whose worth comes from that as much as it does their skill. Unless she make money solely from wins alone and has no sponsorships or other obligations, that is a necessary part of the job that earns her hundreds of thousand or millions of dollars, however much professional tennis players earn. I personally think this celebrity worship creates a very unhealthy environment for the celebrities that can lead to situations like this, but I think it's also just an inherent part of the gig, unfortunately.

You didn't actually explain why it was necessary for the sport , just that sponsors like it.

So as I said, what's wrong with a spokesman? That abides those demands

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I know most of you don't watch sports but she could have gone and just not answer any question or just the ones she wanted. This has been done before by other athletes. Her point is further proven or taken more seriously based on that. The fact she's withdrawing is worse because people depend on her being there her sponsors and everyone from the ball kids, judge, venue itself plus all the things they sell food/merch/parking/etc....I understand she has a problem but she just gave more people problems.

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UnfairRepresent posted...

You didn't actually explain why it was necessary , just that sponsors like it.

So as I said, what's wrong with a spokesman? That abides those demands

Because sponsors and people in charge of these events have obviously determined that it's necessary for the brand. Don't get me wrong, the whole thing is a massive showboating waste of time, but that's one part of how they generate the insane revenue that she's partaking in.

UnfairRepresent posted...

You didn't actually explain why it was necessary for the sport , just that sponsors like it.

So as I said, what's wrong with a spokesman? That abides those demands

Only the coaches/personal trainers are allowed to speak only if allowed by the contract in most cases they aren't or they're required to be sitting with the athlete as well answering some questions.


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El Mexicano Texano posted...

I know most of you don't watch sports but she could have gone and just not answer any question or just the ones she wante

"Fuck her mental health, she could have just suffered AND not joined in at the same time, therefore her suffering doesn't matter"

WTF psychopath logic is that?

You're not following what her problem was. Having a camera shoved in her face and minions flashing lights and asking questions was causing anxiety and depression, regardless of if she answered it or not

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El Mexicano Texano posted...

I know most of you don't watch sports but she could have gone and just not answer any question or just the ones she wanted. This has been done before by other athletes. Her point is further proven or taken more seriously based on that. The fact she's withdrawing is worse because people depend on her being there her sponsors and everyone from the ball kids, judge, venue itself plus all the things they sell food/merch/parking/etc....I understand she has a problem but she just gave more people problems.

Disruption is how things change. We need to start taking mental health seriously and accommodating everyone's issues. We can't force everyone into tiny boxes or exclude people for having the gall to be wired differently.

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Nemu posted...

Because sponsors and people in charge of these events have obviously determined that it's necessary for

So in other words, it's not necessary at all

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UnfairRepresent posted...

So in other words, it's not necessary at all

i mean if you consider revenue to keep the sport alive to pay the athletes as not necessary, sure.

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I hate this idea that athletes are somehow "blessed" and that they owe someone something.

You don't owe anyone ANYTHING for being literally the best at a sport. You got there through your own hard work.

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UnfairRepresent posted...

So in other words, it's not necessary at all

If you want to go down that route, nothing but the act of the people playing the sport and some cameras are necessary, but that obviously means they're not going to be paid nearly the amount they're making. It's a cog in the media machine that gives them their paycheck. Vapid or not, worthless or not, unnecessary or not, it doesn't matter because it generates dollars for the sponsors, places that host the events, etc. Every bit of fanfare is unnecessary, but it's part of the job and lifestyle these athletes pursue. If she wants to just play the sport, there are lesser leagues for less pay that won't attract as much attention.

chrono625 posted...

i mean if you consider revenue to keep the sport alive to pay the athletes as not necessary, sure.

She's literally quit the tournament because of this demand you can't explain

How is that good for revenue?

Or keeping the sport alive?

You've done nothing to explain why she can't have a spokesperson even before you get into mental health

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The job of tennis player is to play tennis. That's what she actually wants to do, along with all other tennis players. All this other stuff is extra added by third parties. I've seen people repeatedly suggest that she just shouldn't live her dream and play tennis if she doesn't want to be forced to do unrelated media crap. That's ridiculous. Other people do it because they like the limelight or they don't wanna rock the boat or they want the money and don't care that much or they don't have the level of depression that she does. But that doesn't mean she should have to deal with this extra stuff if it harms her.

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It's a stupid contractual obligation that should be removed from the contracts. Willing to bet her leaving the tournament hits them harder than they would ever benefit from her doing interviews lol
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Smashingpmkns posted...

It's a stupid contractual obligation that should be removed from the contracts. Willing to bet her leaving the tournament hits them harder than they would ever benefit from her doing interviews lol

Agreed

Immediately shuts down the "Awchaully it's for the sponsors and to keep the sport alive!" guys who know what they are saying is complete shit

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legendary_zell posted...

The job of tennis player is to play tennis. That's what she actually wants to do, along with all other tennis players. All this other stuff is extra added by third parties. I've seen people repeatedly suggest that she just shouldn't live her dream and play tennis if she doesn't want to be forced to do unrelated media crap. That's ridiculous. Other people do it because they like the limelight or they don't wanna rock the boat or they want the money and don't care that much or they don't have the level of depression that she does. But that doesn't mean she should have to deal with this extra stuff if it harms her.

It's not "playing tennis." It's "competing in a worldwide event with a payout of over $1 million if she wins and probably just as much or more from sponsors." She can play tennis anywhere, any time if she's fine with less money. Part of the reason she's able to make that much money is because there is demand for public figure athletes who represent major brands and move tons of money simply through existing.

just negotiate the media appearances separately. just pay the people who want to talk extra to talk, or (more simply, at least for the short term) take reasonable penalties for not talking.

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UnfairRepresent posted...

"Fuck her mental health, she could have just suffered AND not joined in at the same time, therefore her suffering doesn't matter"

WTF psychopath logic is that?

You're not following what her problem was. Having a camera shoved in her face and minions flashing lights and asking questions was causing anxiety and depression, regardless of if she answered it or not

Funny you ignored the rest of the post what about the people who depend on her to play? What are they supposed to do now? What about their mental health and stress they will probably get because they won't get paid from the day she was supposed too?


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Nemu posted...

It's not "playing tennis." It's "competing in a worldwide event with a payout of over $1 million if she wins and probably just as much or more from sponsors." She can play tennis anywhere, any time if she's fine with less money. Part of the reason she's able to make that much money is because there is demand for public figure athletes who represent major brands and move tons of money simply through existing.

She still exists

Soooooo

Medussa posted...

just negotiate the media appearances separately. just pay the people who want to talk extra to talk, or (more simply, at least for the short term) take reasonable penalties for not talking.

or let her send a spokesperson

Problem solved

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UnfairRepresent posted...

She's literally quit the tournament because of this demand you can't explain

How is that good for revenue?

Or keeping the sport alive?

You've done nothing to explain why she can't have a spokesperson even before you get into mental health

since they are too nice to say it, I will. You cant have a spokesperson because that idea is dumb as fuck. You really think people wanna see a spokesperson answer questions on her behalf? Fuck no.

UnfairRepresent posted...

She still exists

Soooooo

Not if she doesn't shill her brands and put on a smiling mask to hide her misery. It's a clown show, but it's a clown show that brings in the big money.

El Mexicano Texano posted...

Funny you ignored the rest of the post what about the people who depend on her to play? What are they supposed to do now? What about their mental health and stress they will probably get because they won't get paid from the day she was supposed too?

It's almost like she shouldn't have been forced to quit the tournament by the organizers or something

All those things are on the head of the people who wouldn't allow her to play tennis, not her.

Your wild victim blaming isn't helping your psychopathic logic

Also hilarious that you complain about being ignored while ignoring every point that was raised

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Bleuets posted...

since they are too nice to say it, I will. You cant have a spokesperson because that idea is dumb as fuck. You really think people wanna see a spokesperson answer questions on her behalf? Fuck no.

Why not?

plenty of athletes/celebrities have done it before

it's not a new idea I just made up, it's a long established thing

Fuck Don King was famous for it

Nemu posted...

Not if she doesn't shill her brands and put on a smiling mask to hide her misery. It's a clown show, but it's a clown show that brings in the big money.

Except it doesn't bring in a dime because she quit

Also again theres nothing there that would be negated by a spokesperson

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Nemu posted...

It's not "playing tennis." It's "competing in a worldwide event with a payout of over $1 million if she wins and probably just as much or more from sponsors." She can play tennis anywhere, any time if she's fine with less money. Part of the reason she's able to make that much money is because there is demand for public figure athletes who represent major brands and move tons of money simply through existing.

I doubt any of that money comes from speaking to the media specifically. It mostly comes from her and the other player's athletic prowess and the history of these events as the places where the best players play and prove themselves. Sponsorships and all that is a separate thing from answering rote questions from the media. It's all the anxiety without any of the money, plus a risk of a PR disaster.


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