A number of prominent sports communities on Reddit are considering a change that would considerably shake up the content seen by their subscribers. This movement, initially gaining traction on the r/hockey subreddit, has spread to other major sports leagues’ communities, as subreddit moderators and users ponder banning posts that originate from the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Discussions about this topic are actively taking place on subreddits dedicated to the NFL, NBA, MLB, and MLS, garnering widespread attention among users. The primary concern appears to be the recent login requirement implemented by X; now, when users click a link to X in Reddit, they must log into an X account to access the content, which can be frustrating for those seeking to view information quickly.
Given that Reddit’s value lies in aggregating content from various platforms, many users feel hindered by this new restriction. As a solution, some are suggesting that subreddits require embedded videos or screenshots of X posts instead of direct links, in light of the login requirements.
If such rules were to be enacted, major sports subreddits would undergo significant changes. Currently, four of the top five posts of the day on r/NBA are links to X, and various sports subreddits are filled with X links on their front pages. A potential ban on X could also have far-reaching effects on reporters, team accounts, and websites that depend on traffic from these Reddit communities; often, Reddit serves as a platform that amplifies reports or stories initially posted on X, and viral threads can substantially affect someone’s business.
To note, the X alternative Bluesky currently does not require login for content viewing, leading some users to propose sharing links from that platform instead. Should these bans be implemented, it would be one of the most significant indicators yet of users’ growing dissatisfaction with ongoing changes to X that compromise the once user-friendly experience.
