Barry Jackson

Sports Buzz

Why Fox didn’t show many Cuba protests during WBC game. A look at what you didn’t see

Cuban journalist Carlos Manuel Alvarez carrying a Cuban flag with the words Patria y Vida runs on the field as Cuba infielder Andy Ibáñez (77) looks on during the game between the United States and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
Cuban journalist Carlos Manuel Alvarez carrying a Cuban flag with the words Patria y Vida runs on the field as Cuba infielder Andy Ibáñez (77) looks on during the game between the United States and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com

During FS1’s cablecast of the United States-Cuba World Baseball Classic game at loanDepot park on Sunday night, there wasn’t much air time given to fans holding signs protesting Cuba’s communist government.

Cuban writer Carlos Manuel Alvarez carrying a Cuban flag with the words Patria y Vida runs on the field as Cuba infielder Andy Ibáñez (77) looks on during the game between the United States and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
Cuban writer Carlos Manuel Alvarez carrying a Cuban flag with the words Patria y Vida runs on the field as Cuba infielder Andy Ibáñez (77) looks on during the game between the United States and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com

A Fox spokesperson said Monday that the network was using the world video feed for the game, and this was not a case of Fox deciding to ignore those signs.

The broadcast did not show three people running on the field during Sunday night’s game, but that was a customary approach. Networks generally ignore such antics because of fear that airing them would encourage that kind of behavior.

Cuban artist and activist Danilo Maldonado know as El Sexto is stopped by stadium security after rushing the field during the game between the United States and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
Cuban artist and activist Danilo Maldonado know as El Sexto is stopped by stadium security after rushing the field during the game between the United States and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com

The United States defeated Cuba 14-2 to advance to Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic championship game.

Cuban activist Antonio Fernandez is stopped at second base by stadium security after rushing the field during the game between the United States and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
Cuban activist Antonio Fernandez is stopped at second base by stadium security after rushing the field during the game between the United States and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic semifinal at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
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Barry Jackson
Miami Herald
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Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports Buzz column since 2002.
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