Sport’s Illustrated’s Backlash Video in Poor Taste

Sport’s Illustrated’s Backlash Video in Poor Taste by Laura Pugh: It would seem that Sports Illustrated is not pleased at the backlash their decision, to crown Serena Williams the SI Sportsman of the Year, has received. Just before 12:30pm, they posted a story titled “American Pharoah Congratulates Serena Williams”.

The article features a picture of the Thoroughbred Racing Grand Slam Champion in a video, where he “speaks” his congratulations to Serena Williams. The article also states that despite Williams having one of the most dominant schedules in recent history, the public was mad. As if, they didn’t have a reason to be angry.

That being the case, let us recount the facts of the situation.

1.) Sports Illustrated had the fans vote on who they thought should win the cover. American Pharoah was a runaway winner, garnering 47% of the votes. Then not only did Sport Illustrated snub him, they completely ignored the Kansas City Royals, who were a clear second place in the poll. Serena Williams, by comparison, only had 1% of the vote. That, right there, would be just cause for anyone to become angry.

2.) Sports Illustrated made a point about Williams’ dominant season. To that point, I ask, what part of the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, and the only Triple Crown winner to ever win the Breeders’ Cup Classic isn’t dominant? Sprinkle in victories in the the Arkansas Derby and Haskell Invitational, and you have one of the most historic and dominant seasons in Thoroughbred Racing history. So, yes, the public is a bit miffed.

While it is infuriating that American Pharoah did not win the award, what is the most infuriating is Sports Illustrated went completely against what the connections of American Pharoah have said in regards to Williams winning the award, in the article.

Both Ahmed and Justin Zayat took to Twitter when they found out the results of Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year Award. Ahmed Zayat tweeted “ROBBED. ROBBED. ROBBED.”, while his son Justin Zayat tweeted “Total BS @SInow @SITimLayden Why have a poll if you totally ignore it? Serena FAILED at winning the Grand Slam. AP (American Pharoah) a once in a lifetime horse.

When asked if Sports Illustrated had gotten the Zayat’s permission to say such things, using a picture featuring their champion, Justin Zayat replied “No, they didn’t.”

It would seem that this article made as a response (one done in poor taste) to the backlash they are receiving. I have one question for Sports Illustrated. What else did you expect? You ignored the majority of the public and snubbed two much more deserving contenders. What did you expect would happen after that?

You deserve every bit of criticism thrown your way and more. It was your choice to go against the public and yours alone. You brought the backlash upon yourselves, now deal with it with some class.