Trading

Are Social Media Changing How Athletes Get Traded?

TIME IDEAS

June 27, 2012

by Doug Glanville

Players—and fans—are starting to learn about impending trades before they're official.

The Red Sox traded their popular third baseman, Kevin Youkilis, earlier this week. He had been fighting injuries and declining performance after being a key cog in bringing a couple of World Series titles to Boston. Unlike most trades, he knew it was coming—and so did his fans. Advance word had gotten out and spread through social media. As a result, his fans gave him a standing ovation at his last game.