I know from some personal experience that "alternative viewpoint" is something writers are often ordered to write. They do what they are told but don't necessarily believe what they are writing. I believe that is even more rampant on sports talk. Some of them may actually be that stupid and some are just doing what they are told. I honestly don't know how to tell which is which. One thing that I do know is that when these talking heads are proven drastically wrong it doesn't shake them a bit. They make a quick excuse and are on to the next subject.
Professionalism and integrity used to go together.
Now it seems sacrificing integrity is a requirement to perform the job.