Maybe because there are no sports actions to discuss so they choose to highlight the positive things that players, as concerned citizens of this country, are doing. Why does this bother you so much? How is it harmful?
Did I not just explain that? Yes.. as long as everyone ascribes to the same politics.. it is harmless... but if not, it creates a political litmus test where a sportswriter or TV personality expects a certain level of agreement in politics.. which elevates himself above merely reporting on sports.. and if he happens to ask the wrong person the wrong question and gets the wrong answer.. suddenly it can create political division within a team or between players and fans and on and on...
look at the NBA Finals ratings.. people do not want politics to be such a large part of sport.
I'll say no more on it. There's nothing wrong with Harper or the message or anything like that. What's wrong is the sports media trying to be "current" and "important" compared to talking about basketball or whatever sport they cover. That's my objection.