Jason Collins' signing noteworthy, but one day it won't be

The media frenzy is coming. There is nothing the Nets, the NBA or Jason Collins can do to stop it. The Nets will play in L.A., Portland, Denver and Milwaukee

Chris Mannix | Feb 23, 2014

Jason Collins' signing noteworthy, but one day it won't be /

Jason Collins (98) will be reunited with fellow ex-Celtics Paul Pierce (34) and Kevin Garnett in Brooklyn. — Jason Collins (98) will be reunited with fellow ex-Celtics Paul Pierce (34) and Kevin Garnett in Brooklyn :: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

The media frenzy is coming. There is nothing the Nets, the NBA or Jason Collins can do to stop it. The Nets will play in L.A., Portland, Denver and Milwaukee before heading home next week, and Collins will be swarmed by reporters at every stop. It comes with the territory. Collins is a pioneer, breaking one of the last barriers in professional sports. It's a big deal now. Someday, it won't be.

Published Feb 23, 2014

CHRIS MANNIX

Chris Mannix is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated covering the NBA and boxing beats. He joined the SI staff in 2003 following his graduation from Boston College. Mannix is the host of SI's "Open Floor" podcast and serves as a ringside analyst and reporter for DAZN Boxing. He is also a frequent contributor to NBC Sports Boston as an NBA analyst. A nominee for National Sportswriter of the Year in 2022, Mannix has won writing awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Pro Basketball Writers Association, and is a longtime member of both organizations.