Ruvimbo - #BlackWomenDiscoverJan 2, 2023
mekka okereke 

Question for #BlackMastodon

If I could get some of my pro athlete friends (mostly #NBA, #WNBA, #NFL, #Powerlifting, #MLB, #MLS, #NWSL ) to join Mastodon, what would you want to see / hear from them?

Many avoided Twitter for obvious reasons: "I don't be on Twitter like that. Have fun tho!"

I won't say this question is only for BlackMastodon because everyone is going to answer anyways.

They'd probably be on their own instance to make it easier for other instances to defederate from them

Jan 1, 2023 at 9:37pmWeb
Show threadmekka okereke Jan 1, 2023

For me, what I do want to hear about is their life outside of sports, off-season workouts, social benefit causes and interests, etc.

I don't mind hearing about self-promotion.

What I don't want to hear about is pushing crypto or NFTs. At all.

Show thread(((Pro-choice Morgana)))Jan 1, 2023
@mekkaokereke This would be an excellent year to not hear anything about crypto and NFT.
Show threadBoredomFestivalJan 1, 2023
@morganarae @mekkaokereke Last year was a great year for that, too, but so is this year
Show threadcourtneyJan 1, 2023
@mekkaokereke *nod* The human things, not the consumer things.
Show threadNot a doctorJan 1, 2023

@mekkaokereke

... or other #Schemes (MLM, etc.)

Show threadTod Hilton Jan 1, 2023
@mekkaokereke I thoroughly enjoy Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's newsletter with his general commentary and wisdom about all aspects of life. He's a perfect example of what I like to hear from celebs.
Show threadTheurv 🏳️‍🌈Jan 1, 2023
@mekkaokereke I think the other thing I’d love to see is making sure their voices are intact so we don’t just hear from leagues and team owners who are much whiter and don’t share the same perspectives on social issues, workers rights, community engagement etc. You need those communications channels in place before anything happens not as a reaction to bad things
Show threadAmelia Bellamy-RoydsJan 2, 2023

@theurv @mekkaokereke This is a good point (about getting player's perspective, not just execs').

It wasn't quite your question, Mekka, but if pro athletes were to join the fediverse, it would be great if it was on a server hosted by the players' associations, rather than the leagues or teams. Still get the verification benefit & discoverability of an official instance, with staff assigned to moderate it & funds to handle scale. But there would clearly be an independence, too.

Show threadmekka okereke Jan 2, 2023
@AmeliaBR @theurv Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I mean, yeah sure, teams and leagues will eventually be on the Fediverse too. But something more individual focused would be good too.
Show threadLong Truong Jan 2, 2023
@mekkaokereke @AmeliaBR @theurv I just want Kevin Durants burner account to be on the Fediverse.
Show threadTheurv 🏳️‍🌈Jan 2, 2023
@mekkaokereke @AmeliaBR with the amount of corruption and geopolitics of global sports leagues - having players empowered to speak to fans also is a key way to reduce the amount of corruption the league holds by default. And since sport has always had leaders in other issues that’s an area I’d love to see continue both on and offline
Show threadGuillotineJan 2, 2023
@AmeliaBR @theurv @mekkaokereke If the associations can't be bothered, this would be a chance for sports media outlets.
Show threadTheurv 🏳️‍🌈Jan 2, 2023
@Guillotine @AmeliaBR @mekkaokereke or the agencies representing athletes - it’s in their interests to protect branding by having verified channels. And most agents hope to stay with atheletes throughout their career even if they move around teams
Show threadDr. OctothorpeJan 1, 2023
@mekkaokereke I would love to hear from current and former/retired pro athletes about their plans after their playing days end. There’s a gap in mainstream discussion around the reality of what happens afterwards, particularly when plans are derailed by a career ending injury. What post-career training is actually provided for them by the career track/pipeline vs. what advice have they had to solicit via back channels?
Show threadMynameisvuJan 2, 2023
@mekkaokereke I'd love to know more about them outside of their sport. Like that rapid interview KD did was fantastic...
Show threadJosiah MannionJan 5, 2023
@mekkaokereke I mean, I would *love* to see Crystal Dunn coming on here to bang on about social justice issues in athletics and elsewhere.
Show threadJen BoureyJan 1, 2023

@mekkaokereke If you have any friends that have already retired from their sports I'd love to hear stories about how they transitioned to a non-pro-athlete activity level.

As a former HS athlete I've struggled my whole life with reigning in overachiever training tendencies (and waffling between being too sedentary and overtraining and all the health issues associated with both!) I'm interested in how pro sports folks navigate this and what wisdom they might be able to share?

Show threadNot a doctorJan 1, 2023

@mekkaokereke

I would want them to bring their authentic selves.

I understand that Z Sportsplayer may feel the need to represent the brand, however, with that one caveat, I'd like to hear about their lives same as anyone. Maybe they learned to make the best pirogi. Maybe their kid tried melting crayons in the microwave. Maybe their cousin came out and they're not sure how to acknowledge them. Maybe they're fascists (and I can block them). And maybe they have the most adorable pug.

Show threadDoubleTreble 🥰🇵🇸🌍🇺🇦😺💚🧶🫖Jan 1, 2023
@mekkaokereke
I guess for me as non sporty Brit anything they have to say would be interesting 🤔 Bring it on....
Show threadKat O’BrienJan 1, 2023
@mekkaokereke sports is, for me, one of the biggest things currently missing here. Caveat, I am a former sportswriter.
My favorite athlete follows on Twitter are people who share opinions, commentary & insight into life outside sports & mindset. A few examples (some of whom I know personally & some I don’t): Thomas Q. Jones, Andy Roddick, Serena Williams, Brianna Turner. Several others who used to be more active that I enjoyed include Michael Young, Skylar Diggins, Brandon McCarthy.
Show threadEricaJoy Jan 1, 2023
@mekkaokereke i’d want to see them be chill and comfortable…i’d want to see them have a place to just be people, if they wanted that.
Show threadjwillJan 1, 2023

@ericajoy @mekkaokereke Seconded. If they can just be themselves and bring all of themselves or whatever part of the real them to Mastodon, it'd be awesome.

For examples the ones that have a deep interest/hobby outside their sport and feel ok to share it. Like the NFL players that crotchet/knit.

But I guess that also means the crypto bros so you'll win some and lose some. 😉

Show threadlast senpaiJan 1, 2023

@mekkaokereke Not really interested in hearing from athletes, at all.

(I'm answering the question because it was directed at #BlackMastadon not #BlackSportsEnjoyerMastadon)

Show threadesmerelJan 1, 2023

@mekkaokereke I love seeing what these folks do in their free time - what are their hobbies, how do they keep themselves distracted during boring set days or whatever.

I love that Judy Dench does sweary cross stitch and Kristen Ritter knits and Henry Cavill plays warhammer and Rosie Greer did needlepoint. I love seeing what people’s passions are outside of their jobs.

Show threada*lfonso adriasol&Jan 2, 2023
@mekkaokereke whatever they want to share as long as its themselves and not some PR firm posting as image. this being a public forum I wonder how realistic that might be
Show threadGuillotineJan 2, 2023
@mekkaokereke While those sports aren't the ones I'm very interested in, I always like to hear about athletes nutritional habits. I've read some of books about the theoretics but alaways find it interesting how everyone is implementing those in their personal/family life or how local cuisines approach these subjects differently. It's why I follow some athletes on instagram. As food is my livelihood, pro athletes foodporn can be educational.