The key to using ex-Twitter is to build lists - it means not having to mess with the algorithm. I have one called “tennis” which you can follow and steal there. Reliably free of anything but tennis players posting their Ws (and Ls).
Enjoyable read Molly, thank you. I agree with you entirely the demise of formerly Twitter for the sports interested has left a hole. I used to have deck of feeds for the best writers columned by sport, and it was a necessity professionally for my work in sport comms. Now I simply don’t have the energy or the mindset to have wade through the drivel to find something I value. Stay with Substack, it’s only going to get better!
For what it’s worth, I hope any of the comms pros at the ECB get a chance to have the England players review their approach to Alex Hartley, a media siege reactive when you are down does not create a good psychological environment to improve performance. In my experience not fronting it and answering tends to add to the pressure. It just needed one of them to go out and say we don’t accept that, we are trying our guts out here and we are fit and pumped ready to try and turn it around.. if even if you don’t mean it. A senior player doing that sends a message to your teammates that despite the results, you are still up for the fight and you are all in together…
Yes, you should. For the Cycling Community, it's a very very good alternative. Smaller, but without the negativity. It takes some time to build your network, but once you've done that, you'll feel the same joy of the early Twitter days.
Great piece. I would add, not only has Musk broken 'sports Twitter' but he has also made it a platform for amplifying white supremacy and far right groups such as the AfD and EDL. At some point there will come a moral reckoning for organisations on there as to whether they can keep feeding this machine - sports bodies and athletes included.
First, HELL YES NAOMI GIRMA TO CHELSEA MY USWNT AND CHELSEA HEART RUNNETH OVER!!!
But also, Molly, you quite literally hit the nail on the head with how I feel about missing old sports Twitter. I have written a lot about this recently myself. I also have taken the app off of my phone and only go on it when there are seismic sporting events that I want to check in on. My blocked account list and muted words are quite robust so my feed almost always "sticks to sports", but that it because I put in a lot of work to make that happen. I really appreciate what you wrote here, especially your perspective as a woman in the sporting landscape. I have seen the dumpster fire replies are to women who work in and commentate on sports. It's truly a cesspool.
Loved the read as usual. I must admit I'm similar with you regarding missing the old Twitter and how it was seeing all the takes and funny responses to sport happening live. It was great during the Women's World Cup in 2023. Early days but not getting the same from BlueSky, but it'll get there I'm sure.
It's been interesting down under with the women's ashes and the Aus Open. Especially with the bit of backlash from players about the local coverage and the post-match interviews. Whether we see a change, we shall wait and see!
Thanks Lewis. Your point about post match interviews at the Aus Open is interesting too - Ben Shelton was very clear about his thoughts. He did have a point for some of what I’ve seen, but I also might have missed the worst offenders!
The key to using ex-Twitter is to build lists - it means not having to mess with the algorithm. I have one called “tennis” which you can follow and steal there. Reliably free of anything but tennis players posting their Ws (and Ls).
Enjoyable read Molly, thank you. I agree with you entirely the demise of formerly Twitter for the sports interested has left a hole. I used to have deck of feeds for the best writers columned by sport, and it was a necessity professionally for my work in sport comms. Now I simply don’t have the energy or the mindset to have wade through the drivel to find something I value. Stay with Substack, it’s only going to get better!
Glad it’s not just me. Ahhh the decks were so useful too!! Tweet Deck itself was a godsend too. Thanks for reading
For what it’s worth, I hope any of the comms pros at the ECB get a chance to have the England players review their approach to Alex Hartley, a media siege reactive when you are down does not create a good psychological environment to improve performance. In my experience not fronting it and answering tends to add to the pressure. It just needed one of them to go out and say we don’t accept that, we are trying our guts out here and we are fit and pumped ready to try and turn it around.. if even if you don’t mean it. A senior player doing that sends a message to your teammates that despite the results, you are still up for the fight and you are all in together…
A very enjoyable read Molly and it sums up my feelings about the old Twitter too. I miss it.
I’m hoping Substack will become a decent replacement and I have yet to try Blue Sky, but I shall as I keep hearing good things.
I’m sure over time we will find the “right” alternative. RIP Twitter!
Definitely agree with the Alex Hartley praise. BlueSky is proving a decent replacement for x.
I should probably get on the Blue Sky train shouldn’t I?
Yes, you should. For the Cycling Community, it's a very very good alternative. Smaller, but without the negativity. It takes some time to build your network, but once you've done that, you'll feel the same joy of the early Twitter days.
Great piece. I would add, not only has Musk broken 'sports Twitter' but he has also made it a platform for amplifying white supremacy and far right groups such as the AfD and EDL. At some point there will come a moral reckoning for organisations on there as to whether they can keep feeding this machine - sports bodies and athletes included.
Here's a piece I wrote on this subject. https://thesportsmarketeer.substack.com/p/x-rated-once-a-hub-for-sports-fandom
First, HELL YES NAOMI GIRMA TO CHELSEA MY USWNT AND CHELSEA HEART RUNNETH OVER!!!
But also, Molly, you quite literally hit the nail on the head with how I feel about missing old sports Twitter. I have written a lot about this recently myself. I also have taken the app off of my phone and only go on it when there are seismic sporting events that I want to check in on. My blocked account list and muted words are quite robust so my feed almost always "sticks to sports", but that it because I put in a lot of work to make that happen. I really appreciate what you wrote here, especially your perspective as a woman in the sporting landscape. I have seen the dumpster fire replies are to women who work in and commentate on sports. It's truly a cesspool.
Thank you for writing this wonderful piece!
Loved the read as usual. I must admit I'm similar with you regarding missing the old Twitter and how it was seeing all the takes and funny responses to sport happening live. It was great during the Women's World Cup in 2023. Early days but not getting the same from BlueSky, but it'll get there I'm sure.
It's been interesting down under with the women's ashes and the Aus Open. Especially with the bit of backlash from players about the local coverage and the post-match interviews. Whether we see a change, we shall wait and see!
Thanks Lewis. Your point about post match interviews at the Aus Open is interesting too - Ben Shelton was very clear about his thoughts. He did have a point for some of what I’ve seen, but I also might have missed the worst offenders!
i am so here for your challengers take - SO OVERHYPED
Thank you!! I genuinely couldn’t believe how rubbish I thought it was..