TNT’s coverage of Utah State vs. Missouri on Thursday was not universally praised.
The No. 10 Aggies faced the seventh-seeded Tigers in a South Region matchup in Sacramento on the first day of March Madness 2023.
With less than two minutes remaining in the second half and Utah State trailing by 12 points, cameras panned for several seconds to an emotional Aggies cheerleader.
Unsurprisingly, the now-viral video sparked outrage on social media, with some fans criticising the coverage.
“Bruh why does TNT keep showing the crying Utah State cheerleader?? Chill,” one user remarked, while another said, “Seriously, TNT? Highlighting a crying cheerleader?”
Fans also emphasised how emotional the tournament can be for student-athletes, whose collegiate careers could end with a loss.
This Utah State cheerleader was going through it ???? pic.twitter.com/Rqhpz3zBaZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 16, 2023
Fans also emphasised how emotional the tournament can be for student-athletes, whose collegiate careers could end with a loss.
“Felt bad when the camera kept showing her, probably her last game as a cheerleader,” one fan tweeted.
Another issued a similar sentiment, writing, “She probably a senior and this is her last ride too.”
