As the volume of political discourse in sports media continues to rise stemming from Super Bowl LX, former WFAN host Brandon Tierney is drawing a firm line about where he believes that conversation should end.
During a recent episode of his YouTube program, BT Unleashed, the longtime sports radio host delivered a blunt message to commentators who routinely blend partisan viewpoints into their analysis. He argues that many in the industry have overestimated both their influence and their audience’s appetite for political takes.
“You’re not nearly as important as you think you are,” Tierney said. “Nobody gives a s**t about what you think about politically. They really don’t. I know that you think that they do. They don’t. So get over yourself, because the days of people caring what you think about politics, if you’re a sports guy, they are quickly coming to an end.”
Tierney framed his comments not as a rejection of civic engagement, but as a warning about professional boundaries in a media environment already saturated with opinion-driven programming. He suggested that sports fans typically turn to games, analysis and personality-driven discussion as a break from the daily churn of political conflict, and that repeatedly steering conversations toward ideology risks undermining that relationship.
Moreover, he criticized content creators who intentionally weave political commentary into sports coverage in pursuit of social media traction, describing that strategy as short-sighted and corrosive to long-term credibility.
“If you think that I’m going to waste my time, or I’m going to waste your time shoving this stuff every which way sideways. Just to get a few more followers or buy some social media equity. Get lost,” said Tierney. “You couldn’t pay me to play that game. That game is played out, that game is weak.”
In Tierney’s view, the incentives of the digital age have encouraged some broadcasters to chase engagement metrics at the expense of trust. Especially when the short-term spike in clicks can create downstream consequences for personal brands and station identities.
“There’s repercussions,” he said. “It might not be immediate, but downstream. That’s coming back to roost. I can’t tell you how disenchanted I am and how disgusted I’ve become with so many reckless opinions and the infighting. It is a joke, absolute joke.”
While sports and politics inevitably intersect at times, particularly when leagues or athletes address social issues, Tierney contended that commentators should approach those moments with discipline rather than reflex. He argued that the role of a sports host centers on insight, perspective and entertainment, not ideological combat.
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