The Voice - Student Newspaper

East Coast versus West Coast, bias favors Eastern sports

By Sergio Vaquera
Reporter, The VOICE

If you're a sports fan then you've probably heard the phrase "East Coast bias," most commonly heard on the west coast.

Have you ever wondered what it really meant?

The term, 'East Coast bias,' is used with the idea that media favors East Coast sports over West Coast sports.

There is greater coverage and positive remarks being said with respect toward eastern sports then there are toward western sports.

Is there bias media coverage on sports due to the fact that most of the major radio and television networks are stationed on the east coast or is it legitimate bias for one part of the country over the other?

Right now the SEC (Southeastern Conference) has a deal with CBS to broadcast its football games.

The Big 10 also has a contract with CBS for basketball and another with ABC/ESPN to broadcast its football, basketball, and volleyball.

The same goes for the Big East and their contract with ESPN and CBS for men's and women's basketball.

You watch ESPN during MLB season and every Sox/Yankees game is hyped up even if it is only a month into the season.

Is the bias real? It would seem so. However, you must take into account that the east coast is a few hours ahead of the west coast.

Writers may not get to fully appreciate the beauty of a Spurs/Suns game.

Many of the major western sports games occur when the east coast is heading to bed.

So, is geography to blame for the lack of respect for western sports?

There is still attention given, but only to teams in California such as the LA Lakers, USC Trojans, or LA Dodgers.

However, being in California, you have a major market and thus have the power to sustain interest without national attention.

To favor one region over the other seems outrageous, especially when sports play such a vital role in today's society.

There should be a balance with positive coverage for the western sports as there already is for eastern sports, even though there is a separation not only in distance but time.

One thing is for sure, the debate over "East Coast bias" will continue in the realm of sports for years to come.