Colin would quit if he had to cover an eSport.

[Brian Fein]

Video games involve the exact same amount of physical activity as Nascar.  Most people consider NASCAR a sport.

This is a pretty ignorant statement.  I can't believe you just posted that.

[Rich]

I'd agree that races are not sports.  They are races.

So track and field is not a sport?

[Dave Gray]

So track and field is not a sport?

I don't think it is.

[Rich]

I don't think it is.

Definition of sport:

1. an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment

Which of these criteria does track and field not meet?

[Dave Gray]

It doesn't lack, using that definition.  But I don't agree with that definition.  It's far too broad and things like air hockey and pool and darts would be considered a sport, which I don't think they are -- they're games.

My definition is the same as Fausto's: A physical competition, governed by a set of rules, where your play directly affects your opponent(s).

That's not to say that non-sports are without merit.  I think surfing is cool as hell, but it's not a sport. 

[Rich]

It doesn't lack, using that definition.  But I don't agree with that definition.  It's far too broad and things like air hockey and pool and darts would be considered a sport, which I don't think they are -- they're games.

My definition is the same as Fausto's: A physical competition, governed by a set of rules, where your play directly affects your opponent(s).

That's not to say that non-sports are without merit.  I think surfing is cool as hell, but it's not a sport. 

A definition is a definition, not what you want the definition to be.

Otherwise, what would be the purpose of language and vocabulary if we can change the meaning of words based on what we want them to mean?

And comparing air hockey and pool and darts to track and field is absurd and would not fall under that definition. There is no physical exertion in those games.

[Dave Gray]

A definition is a definition, not what you want the definition to be.

Actually, that's not at all true.   (This isn't the first time I've had this discussion.)

Dictionaries don't define words.  They do their best to extract those definitions from how people use them.  Language changes and words mean whatever their understood usage is, even if it contradicts the definition.  A dictionary can give you a good idea of what words are used for in society, but are in no way a definitive meaning.

(And there is absolutely physical exertion in air hockey.  The ability to move quickly and hit hard increases your ability to play the game.)

[Phishfan]

Otherwise, what would be the purpose of language and vocabulary if we can change the meaning of words based on what we want them to mean?

We change the meaning of words all the time. Just think of how many slang terms worked into everyday life; sick, chill, tight, etc.

[Rich]

Actually, that's not at all true.   (This isn't the first time I've had this discussion.)

Dictionaries don't define words.  They do their best to extract those definitions from how people use them.  Language changes and words mean whatever their understood usage is, even if it contradicts the definition.  A dictionary can give you a good idea of what words are used for in society, but are in no way a definitive meaning.

(And there is absolutely physical exertion in air hockey.  The ability to move quickly and hit hard increases your ability to play the game.)

We rely on authoritative sources to define words. In particular, the word "sports" as defined by SportAccord.

And now you are redifining the word exertion to suit your argument. If you need to exert to play air hockey, it's because you are in dire need of exercise, not because air hockey requires exertion.

[Rich]

We change the meaning of words all the time. Just think of how many slang terms worked into everyday life; sick, chill, tight, etc.

I thought we were talking about the actual definition of words, not slang. Those are two different things.

[Dave Gray]

We rely on authoritative sources to define words.

No we don't.  They rely on us.  You have it backwards.

Nobody asked "Webster" if it was ok to start saying "ginourmous".  People started using it as they saw fit and it was adopted into language.  "Woot" is a term of joy.  Thus, it's completely OK for you and I to have a different understanding of the word "sport".  In fact, many definitions in dictionaries have many, many choices, sometimes ones that contradict each other.  In fact "literally" now means both "literally" and "figuratively".  How is it possible, then, that a word means both itself and its opposite if what you're saying is true?

[Brian Fein]

And now you are redifining the word exertion to suit your argument. If you need to exert to play air hockey, it's because you are in dire need of exercise, not because air hockey requires exertion.

So, for a 350 pound truck driver, air hockey is a sport, but not for LeBron James?

Doesn't the definition have to be independent of the person engaging in said event?

In fact "literally" now means both "literally" and "figuratively". 

I absolutely despise the overuse of the word "literally" for emphasis, and call people out on it frequently.  Literally nothing worse.

[masterfins]

Sports = use of some type of ball and a level of physical exertion enough to cause you to sweat.

Athletic Events = same as above but no ball, no disrespect intended.

Video games = neither of the above.

I don't care whether they show video games on ESPN, but it's not a sport nor is it an athletic event; and not being a gamer I'm not watching it.  Of course I long for the days when they actually showed music videos on MTV.

[Spider-Dan]

It doesn't lack, using that definition.  But I don't agree with that definition.  It's far too broad and things like air hockey and pool and darts would be considered a sport, which I don't think they are -- they're games.

My definition is the same as Fausto's: A physical competition, governed by a set of rules, where your play directly affects your opponent(s).

So you're basically saying that the vast majority of the Olympics are not sports.

If track and field doesn't count as a sport then we might as well stop using the term.  Not every sport requires head-to-head competition.

[Pappy13]

I think we are getting a little off track here. It doesn't matter whether or not this is a sport, all that matters is that it's a competition and without question this is a competition. I don't see any reason that ESPN shouldn't broadcast it.

Now I have a theory on Cowherds comments. Technically speaking Cowherd just covered a video game by mentioning it on his show and I suspect this was done without ESPN asking him to do it so if you think about it Cowherd is saying that he'd quit if ESPN asked him to cover it, but he'll cover it without ESPN even asking him to do it. Cowherd loves a little controversy. I got a feeling that Cowherd really doesn't have a huge problem with this being on ESPN, but he spun it in a way that would cause controversy and even potentially bring a little attention to something that some people may have missed. My guess is that ESPN loved Cowherd's comments and I suspect that Cowherd did it knowing that ESPN would love it. ESPN is going to be showing other video games later this year, I seriously doubt that Cowherd is unaware of that. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Cowherd mention it again on his show...without ESPN even asking.