By Ken Reed
Sports Illustrated has a history of picking its “Sportsman of the Year” based on factors beyond on-field, on-court, or on-ice achievements. Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King, David Robinson, and Johann Olav Koss are just a few examples. That makes this year’s selection of LeBron James, the Nike sweat shop King, even more inexplicable. Compared to others who’ve won this award, James has almost no social conscience, at least when it comes to his primary sponsor. He’s all about LeBron and LeBron’s wallet.
However, within the same SI issue, Alexander Wolff has a nice feature on ten athletes who are using their athletic platform to help others. (See “Atheltes Who Care,”) It’s an inspiring read.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
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