"I think everyone should have the right to speak out. What I'm saying is, it removes the fantasy. It removes the escape for a fan." -- Fred Roggin
The NBA has come under backlash recently for marquee players sitting out road games, stirring a discussion on what else is ailing the NBA.
Fred Roggin and Rodney Peete engaged in a debate on the topic during "Lunchtime with Roggin and Rodney on Tuesday.
One particular factor that Roggin believes is driving away the casual fan is the socially active nature of players in the league today, arguing that, in a sense, outspokenness has removed the mystique for fans that come to the game for an escape from reality. While Peete partially agrees, he reminds us that it is a tricky situation when it comes to professional athletes and social justice.
"A lot of these players are socially active, and we criticize guys like Michael Jordan who weren't," Peete said. "It's a fine line and it's difficult to separate the two. I understand where you're coming from. The fan is coming to the arena and doesn't want to see guys wearing a sweatshirt that says 'I can't breathe' because something happened recently in the news. They just want to go watch a basketball game. I get that.
"But I think the bigger problem is sports in general, and especially games, are oversaturated."
The guys also discuss how the league has taken the fun away for fans by being so commercially oriented.
Listen to the full discussion below.