May

16

What They’re Saying, May 16, 2008

May 16, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Internet, Newspapers | Leave a Comment

The sports media columnists are at it again. Here are some of what they are writing today…

Le Anne Schreiber has her latest Ombudsman report on the workings at ESPN…

Plenty of local media notes today.  David Barron at the Houston Chronicle has some local sports radio fodder.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has the story of the Brewers making an appearance on Fox’ national baseball coverage tomorrow.

Mel Bracht at the Oklahoman has the latest news coming out of Bristol, CT this week concerning the revamped SportsCenter.

George Thomas at the Akron Beacon Journal adds his thoughts on the ESPN move.

Neil Best at Newsday reports on the Mets’ radio voice calling a game from the cheap seats.

Elsewhere in Gotham, Richard Sandomir at the NY Times writes that more women are playing prominent roles behind the mic.

Bob Raissman at the NY Daily News reports Fox has softened its practice of televising as many Yankees-Nets match-ups as possible.

AT the NY Post Phil Mushnick looks at how youth is being served in big-stakes poker.

Barry Jackson at the Miami Herald writes about how the NBA likes to keep the inner workings of the NBA Draft lottery behind closed doors.

John Schiebe at the LA Times discusses how NBC will ultimately handle the tragedy of Eight Belles in this weekend’s coverage of the Preakness.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star also has a piece on NBC’s Preakness coverage

Over at the LA Daily News, Tom Hoffarth has his take on the ESPN news.  Here’s more from his blog.

More ESPN notes from John Maffei at the North County Times.

In Boston, the Herald reports that NESN contributor Jim Rice will soon be making a new pitch.

At the Boston Globe, Nancy Marrapese-Burrell tells us a former Red Sox bench player is making strides in the media.

Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune has some Minnesota sports radio news..

From Baltimore Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun has a local take on the coverage of The Preakness.

You can get some Windy City media news from Teddy Greenstein at the Chicago Tribune.

Jay Posner at the San Diego Union Tribune takes on the local Padres’ announcing team for blaming the poor play by the team on others outside the clubhouse.

Dave Darling at the Orlando Sentinel has a talk with ESPN’s Steve Phillips.

May

16

The Herald’s John Tomase Responds

May 16, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Internet, Interviews | Leave a Comment

Another chapter in the erroneous report that the Patriots videotaped the Rams walkthrough at Super Bowl XXXVI came about today from the Boston Herald beat writer who penned the  story, John Tomase.

In my post earlier this week I questioned the reality that some reporters rush to judgement on stories in this 24/7 news cycle we all live in.  Tomase revealed as much when he wrote:

The confirmed presence of a member of the team’s video staff at the walkthrough reinforced my belief that it was filmed. Secondhand sourcing took on added weight. When I got word that other reporters had picked up the scent, it only steeled my resolve not to get beat.

In the piece Tomase gave readers a general overview of how the story developed.  He then admitted where, in hindsight, the story all went awry:

I already had been able to verify that a member of the team’s video staff had been setting up a camera at the walkthrough, but on the final, crucial point of whether the camera was actually rolling, I made a devastating leap of logic and assumed that’s what I was being told rather than confirming it explicitly. I considered the fact that it was taped unassailable.

And this is the exact point at which the story broke down.

Despite other media reports, Tomase said he did not rely on only one source for the story.  Outside this blog, I have wanted Tomase to revel his sources, especially if they had deliberately misled him in any way.  This guy’s reputation is on the line if if I had been purposely misled, my internal defense mechanism would have kicked in.  But it appears these sources did not intentionally mislead Tomase.  You can sense this in his tone:

There has been a clamoring for me to identify the sources used in my story. This I cannot do. When a reporter promises anonymity, he can’t break that promise simply because he comes under fire. I gave my word, and the day I break that word is the day sources stop talking to me.

I accept that explanation.  I would have liked to have seen more details as to the specific evidence Tomase amassed in developing the story.  Those did not come.

Although he did sound contrite, I am sure some will not be forgiving after reading Tomase’s piece.  New England fans are really steamed over the media coverage of this story, this one included.

Let’s hope all of us in the sports media have learned something from this episode.  Although I doubt we did.

May

15

Random Video Clip #17

May 15, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Random Clips | Leave a Comment

Big Brown will try to secure the second leg of horse racing’s triple crown this weekend at the Preakness Stakes. His attempt reminds us of the run by Funny Cide in going two for two five years ago…

May

14

SportsCenter On Overdrive

May 14, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Television | Leave a Comment

It is with much confusion that I read the news release from ESPN promoting the expansion of SportsCenter.  According to the announcement, SportsCenter will begin airing live each weekday morning beginning at 9:00am ET.  The show will feature three sets of anchors and remain live until 3:00pm.  The main anchor will be former CNN, NBC, and CBS personality Hannah Storm.

The announcement itself is not revolutionary.  SportsCenter is the network’s signature product and it’s expansion to being live every morning makes sense.  It should do very well within the male demographic looking for fresh sports news content each morning.

What doesn’t make sense is the apparent duplication of services across the ESPN family of networks.  In making the announcement ESPN indicated it had no plans to scratch ESPN First Take, a sports morning show that airs on ESPN2 right after the telecast of the Mike & Mike Morning.  It seems to me that the revamped morning SportsCenter and First Take will have a similar format…highlights combined with more interviews mixed in with commentary.  Why duplicate yourself?  And what about the content already found on ESPN News?  What will be different?

I’m sure we’ll see how this move will benefit viewers as the August launch of the new SportsCenter will coincide with the Beijing Olympics.  Much will be happening overseas to keep the content fresh.  Once that is over then SportsCenter, First Take, and ESPN News may be sounding very much alike.

I think ESPN should rethink the way they should handle these morning shows and use their networks differently.  Remember in the 1990’s when ESPN used to replay their sporting events early the next morning?  Why not do that again on ESPN2 while the new version of SportsCenter and ESPN News do their reporting?  Unless the network is hamstrung through their broadcast agreements with the leagues, I think that would be a great move to make.  Those who want news can find it on SportsCenter or ESPN News.  Those who missed the game have their chance to see it as it was first telecast.

Apparently ESPN feels these news programs will each find their niche and be a successful product on their own.  Time will tell.

May

14

Is Being First Really Worth It?

May 14, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Internet, Newspapers | Leave a Comment

No one wants to admit when they’re wrong.  Especially members of the media.

But that’s what happened yesterday following NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s meeting with former Patriots’ videographer Matt Walsh in the Spygate case.

The Boston Herald did admit it erred in its report two days before the Super Bowl that the Pats had taped the Rams walk-through prior to Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans back in 2002.  We now know through Goodell that as far as the NFL’s investigation and Walsh’s comments are concerned, no taping ever took place.

There is some great local commentary on the Herald’s error by Bruce Allen at Boston Sports Media Watch and David Scott at Scott’s Shots.  Both are a must read.

The Herald will be facing much more deserved scrutiny in the days and weeks ahead over its apparent shoddy work.  What bothers me is that the practice of throwing out innuendo to see if it sticks is becoming more and more prevalent across all sports media platforms.

We are all to blame.  In the world of the 24/7 news cycle no one wants to be left behind.  The pressures are enormous.  The money involved more so.  There are more journalists (including bloggers) digging for stories for print, television, radio, and online sources. 

All of this leads to the mentality that any news, no matter the source or circumstances, must be reported, for fear that not doing so will result in less readers and loss in revenue.  I have never subscribed to this.  I guess that’s why I don’t get as many readers as others. (Check my BallHype rating in the right sidebar)  I pride myself in first attempting to be right, not necessarily first.  Heaven knows I am far from perfect.

We in the blogosphere should take some responsibility for this.  The Deadspins of the world have created this reality.  Ethics be damned.  It is what it is.  I still believe their content has an audience and should not be restricted.   But some of their work does not pass the credibility test, in my opinion. 

When those sources gain credibility, others in the media feel the need to match it.  That may have been the case with the Herald story.  The practice lessens the general quality of reporting.  Thankfully a good deal of those in the media still take their journalistic integrity seriously.  As that generation passes on, I fear the craft will suffer. 

Maybe Buzz Bissinger was right after all..

May

13

Speculation on Parade

May 13, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Television | Leave a Comment

I am spending my lunch hour watching ESPN’s special coverage of the meeting today between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and former Patriots videographer Matt Walsh…and I am being told emphatically that the New England Patriots are Satan.  At least according to those on the ESPN set.

Trey Wingo, Mark Schereth, and Chris Carter are spewing so much speculation and innuendo that anyone watching can come to no other conclusion.

There were so many examples of attempting to mislead the viewer that I lost count. At one point Wingo speculated that although there is no proof the Patriots taped defensive signals during any of their Super Bowl victories, he questioned why the Patriots’ offense was so much more effective in the second half of Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers, insinuating that the Pats used information collected during the first half.  Even though Wingo did make note that the Panthers scored more points in the second two quarters as well, the emphasis was squarely on the Patriots.

Schlereth and Carter both questioned the taping of opponents not in their division, insinuating that the Patriots must have used the tapes during the game in question, as there was no guarantee they would meet these non-divisional foes later that same season. 

Even after Goodell addressed the media and said Walsh indicated the tapes were not used during he course of the game, Schlereth and Carter would not let it rest.  They kept hammering the speculation that despite the proclamation, it doesn’t mean it did not take place.

Today’s coverage does nothing to paint the media as being responsible.  The conduct of the ESPN crew is another example of the need for the media to perpetuate rumors to further a story.

So if you can’t beat’em…join’em.

Just because we don’t have any evidence, it doesn’t mean that the other 31 teams did not also tape oponents’ signals.  Also, even though we don’t have any evidence, it doesn’t mean that Mark Schlereth and/or Chris Carter did not take steroids.  Sounds ridiculous? You bet.  Stick to what we know.  Playing the speculation game does no one any good.

May

7

Winter Sports Radio Ratings, Part 7

May 7, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Sports Radio | Leave a Comment

More Winter ‘08 Arbitron ratings for some of the sports radio stations from across the country. The numbers reflect all listeners ages 12 and up…

Cleveland (#28 Radio Market)
WKNR 2.0 (#15 in Market)

Norfolk, VA (#43 Radio Market)
WGH 1.0 (#20 in Market)
WXRG AM/FM 0.9 (22)

Raliegh-Durham (#43 Radio Market)
WRBZ 1.0 (#16 in Market)
WCMC 0.8 (17)

Greensboro, NC (#45 Radio Market)
WBLO 0.4 (#23 in Market)

Richmond, VA (#56 Radio Market)
WRNL 1.3 (#16 in Market)
WXGI 0.9 (17)

Knoxville, TN (#71 Radio Market)
WNML-FM 2.2 (#8 in Market)
WVLZ 0.5 (17)

Ratings courtesy of Station Ratings

May

6

Winter Sports Radio Ratings, Part 6

May 6, 2008 | by Keith | Categories The Rest | Leave a Comment

Here are more ratings numbers from the Winter ‘08 Arbitron ratings book for local sports radio stations from across the country..

Phoenix (#15 Radio Market)
KTAR 2.0 (#19 in Market)
KGME 0.7 (27)

Charlotte, NC (#25 Radio Market)
WFNZ 1.8 (#17 in Market)

Sacramento (#27 Radio Market)
KHTK 3.2 (#12 in Market)

San Antonio (#30 Radio Market)
KTKR 1.3 (#19 in Market)

Nashville (#44 Radio Market)
WGFX 3.3 (#12 in Market)
WNFN 0.9 (20)

Oklahoma City (#48 Radio Market)
WWLS AM/FM 3.5 (#11 in Market)
WKY 0.4 (23)

Memphis (#49 Radio Market)
WHBQ 1.0 (#18 in Market)
KQPN 0.5 (26)

Rochester, NY (#54 Radio Market)
WHTK 1.4 (#15 in Market)

Birmignham, AL (#57 Radio Market)
WJOX 3.2 (#13 in Market)
WSPZ 0.8 (20)

Ratings courtesy of Station Ratings.  Numbers reflect all listeners ages 12 and up.

May

3

More Buzz…Less Angry…Still Half Misguided

May 3, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Internet, Newspapers | Leave a Comment

In case you missed it, Buzz Bissinger talked about blogs again yesterday durng an interview on NPR.

He was a lot more calm in this interview, which was part of a larger discussion focusing on his work chronicling the life of Barbaro.  He said he regretted his tone on the Costas NOW program but is still passionate in his oppositon to blogs.

He mentions on a couple of occasions that not all sports blogs are bad.  That’s a good first step.  He still, however, seems to not understand the purpose of blogs.  He also continues to be confused as to the difference between a post and a comment.

I still agree with Bissinger in that the unintended goal of some sports blogs is to dumb down the level of discourse and to cater to the lowest common denominator.  And sometimes these blogs get the greatest number of hits.  There is a level of “gotcha” reporting on some blogs which can be seen as entertaining, yet damaging to athletes.  Bissenger says these stories sometimes impacts an athlete’s relationship with ALL reporters.

There is an audience for this content.  I don’t want to see it curtailed.  It’s disappointing that many of today’s youth take the juvenile behavior of some of blogs as to be the authority in sports coverage.  Many of us can see the difference.  Many others do not.  It’s this credibility that Bissenger, and I, feel is of concern when it comes to the future of sports journalism.

May

3

Winter Sports Radio Ratings, Part 5

May 3, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Sports Radio | Leave a Comment

Here are more local sports radio ratings from the Arbitron Winter ‘08 ratings period. The numbers reflect all audiences ages 12 and up:

Atlanta (#8 Radio Market)
WCNN 1.5 (#23 in Market)
WQXI 1.0 (25)

Miami (#12 Radio Market)
WQAM 1.6 (#22 in Market)
WAXY 1.0 (26)

Seattle (#14 Radio Market)
KJR 2.1 (#19 in Market)

Tampa (#19 Radio Market)
WDAE 3.0 (#13 in Market)

Kansas City (#32 Radio Market)
WHB 3.6 (#13 in Market)
KCSP 1.3 (20)

Milwaukee (#36 Radio Market)
WSSP 0.6 (#24 in Market)
WAUK 0.6 (24)

Columbus OH (#37 Radio Market)
WBNS 2.1 (#15 in Market)

Numbers courtesy of Station Ratings.






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