X.com’s Downward Spiral Affecting Boston Sports Scene

Elon Musk’s Twitter has become a haven for right-wing extremists, bots, and trolls, making it a toxic environment that benefits the worst of us. The platform’s recent decisions, including restoring banned accounts and allowing blocked users to see each other’s tweets, have further exacerbated the issue.

The situation took a turn for the worse when X.com’s AI chatbot, Grok, shared anti-Semitic posts and praised Adolf Hitler, sparking widespread outrage. This incident has made it clear that Twitter is no longer a suitable platform for sports discussion or journalism.

Meanwhile, Bluesky, a relatively new platform reminiscent of Twitter in its innocent beginnings, is prioritizing sports content to grow its platform. The platform’s ambition is to become the best place for real-time sports discussion, and building this connection is crucial due to reluctance from media members with large followings on X.

However, not all media members have been convinced by Bluesky, with some choosing to stick with X despite concerns about its toxicity. ESPN’s Mina Kimes and Bill Barnwell, as well as The Ringer’s Howard Beck, have championed Bluesky, but the growth has been incremental at best.

A recent development that highlights the impact of social media on Boston sports radio is 98.5 The Sports Hub picking up Tuesday’s WNBA matchup between the Connecticut Sun and Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever. This move demonstrates how popularity can influence decision-making in the sports media world.

In a separate story, Lyndon Byers, a beloved figure in Boston sports media, passed away at the age of 61. Byers’ death has sparked tributes from colleagues, including Greg Hill, who worked with him for 23 years and praised his heart of gold and ability to connect with anyone.

Source: https://www.boston.com/sports/sports/2025/07/12/bluesky-x-twitter-social-media-sports