And in this corner … (A media battle for the ages)

Tyson and Holyfield can’t hold a candle to these guys.  All earlobes remained intact, but the fur was definitely flying as deadspin.com editor and writer Will Leitch squared off against author/journalist Buzz Bissinger on HBO’s “Costas Now.”

In the sport blogs v. mainstream media battle that ensued, Bissinger did not conceal his contempt for bloggers, like Leitch, and the Internet.  Simply put, Bissinger accused bloggers of dumbing down our society.

The author of “Friday Night Lights,” Bissinger threw all bloggers into the same pot of vulgar, profane, offensive, unethical, uncredentialed, dishonest, cruel, journalist-wannabes who, by the way, can’t write.  (Did I miss anything?) 

There are a few problems with that assessment.

First, I don’t think most bloggers are trying to pass themselves off as professional journalists.  They are simply finding their voice and making themselves heard.  The Internet enables them to do that, and more power to them.  (Note to Professor Sledzik:  I really did learn something from reading ”The Cluetrain Manifesto.“)

Second, deadspin.com is what it is, which, to me anyway, is a gossipy, raunchier (especially because of the unfiltered comments), online sport version of the National Enquirer.  Deadspin’s banner describes itself:  “Sport News Without Access, Favor, Or Discretion.”  It seems that Deadspin does enjoy humiliating celebrities, just as it seems the Enquirer does.  The point is, writing didn’t have to go online to become unprofessional or unethical.  

Bloggers are simply conversationalists. (I read that somewhere. I am far too new at this to come up with anything original.)  They enter the public arena with their opinions, however crass and grammatically incorrect.  But, hey, this is a democratic society, isn’t it?  Don’t we want all citizens to find their voices and get engaged in the debate, whatever the debate may be?  How does this harm journalists?  Maybe because they can no longer control the message?  (Again, thank you Cluetrain authors.)

I understand Bissinger wants to defend his profession against those who fail to maintain its integrity.  I feel the same way about public relations.  Both professions are plagued by people practicing without ethics, skill, professionalism or general regard for the truth.  Unfortunately for both journalism and public relations, you don’t need a license to drive, so to speak.  So it is difficult to enforce journalistic and PR codes of ethics.

But I have to agree with Huffington Post writer, Sarah Schorno, who wrote in a post entitled, “Bob Costas Just Doesn’t Get It,” that we should consider this an evolution of the media:  “Consider it media Darwinism.  The best writers will survive …”  Not everyone is a good writer, but most readers can recognize good writing.  

So, Mr. Bissinger, perhaps you can find some consolation in this:  All journalists can be bloggers, but not all bloggers can be journalists.        

        

 

 

 

Clemens Calamity and Bad PR

ESPN’s Skip Bayless calls it the biggest fall from grace in sports history. There’s no denying Roger Clemens’ reputation is in freefall following reports of illegal steroid use and now an alleged affair with a country singer. As I’ve listened to sports pundit after pundit voice dismay over this continuing saga, I can’t help but wonder if Clemens has had any good counsel throughout these last months.

Obviously, we don’t know who’s lying.  But to believe Clemens, you have to not believe practically everyone else. So for the sake of argument, let’s say he has been less than truthful.

I realize there are a lot of people practicing public relations out there who do not have the background or formal education to truly understand what professional public relations is all about. For instance, it is not about hedging the truth and being evasive, so my only option left is to believe Clemens hasn’t had the benefit of good PR counsel.

If he has been less than open about steroids and the alleged affair with country music singer, Mindy McCready, he has already done more damage to himself than the press could. There are ramifications when the truth is not so pretty, but it would have been better than what Clemens is facing now.

The truth hurts? Maybe. But there’s a whole lot of hurt out there now for not just Clemens, but some innocent people as well, such as his family. Any PR practitioner purporting to help Clemens — or anyone else in such a situation — would be wise to heed the Arthur W. Page Society’s seven principles of PR management with particular emphasis on the first: “Tell the truth.”

Goodell to NFL Players: Stuff It!

Yesterday, the big NFL news was former New England Patriots staffer, Matt Walsh, getting legal and financial indemnity to speak with the Commissioner about Spygate.  Today, we’re back to the really important stuff:  Hair.

This morning on ESPN’s “First Take,” commentators Skip Bayless and Jamelle Hill discussed the issue.  Hill voiced her safety concerns, while Bayless said it was more of an image issue, comparing the athletes to gladiators.  Per my earlier post, I still think it should be framed as a safety issue.   You can see at right how dangerous being tackled by the hair could be for a player like Steeler Troy Polamalu.   

Regardless, Commissioner Goodell has now weighed in on the locks debate.   Meeting yesterday with the NFL Players Advisory Committee, Goodell said the NFL proposes that players tuck their long hair into their helmets during games. 

However, an interesting concern was raised during the meeting.  In the Goodell article linked to above, writer Chris Mortensen said there are concerns about so much hair compromising the protective features of helmets.  Goodell said the NFL will consult with helmet manufacturer, Riddell.  

According to the Mortensen article, the proposed policy would affect 62 players.   Long hair is defined as reaching below the player’s nametag on the back of the jersey.  Currently, hair past the helmet is considered part of the uniform and can be legally grabbed for take-down.  Scary.  I hope it doesn’t take a serious injury for the NFL to examine this as a safety issue.

The players group has not yet accepted the commissioner’s proposal.  The bottom line:  While teams will not ask their long-locked gladiators to cut their hair, players may have to stuff it to play.   

 

Are Agents Ruining Sports?

Charles Barkley often bemoans the state of professionalism and declining skill-level in the NBA today.  He blames the multi-million dollar contracts offered to teenagers coming out of high school without ever playing a minute of ball at the professional level — and until recently without ever playing at the college level.  The hunger to prove yourself gets satisfied pretty quickly with $42.3 million.

There are also the hungry agents promising each of these young celebrities-in-waiting that they, too, can be a star.  All of the money and notoriety can certainly turn anyone’s head and skew priorities. 

But, what about the pride and satisfaction of striving to be the best in the sport that’s paying them millions to participate?  Can they do it all?  Talk on the endorsed-T-Mobile while drinking endorsed-Gatorade while viewing the next script while taking singing lessons while …. hey, can you throw me the ball?   

With these agents vying for potential superstar athlete/clients while they are still in high school, are sports — and even these kids — being well-served?  It seems professional sports are becoming just another road to Hollywood and away from the sport or an education or even reality.  Some agents, who probably dream dollar signs, market their athlete/clients with sports as an afterthought.  That leaves the fans, spending hard-earned dollars to attend games (or should we call them events?) short-changed and these young athletes rich – for a while – and still hungry for a life-long celebrity lifestyle that is hard to maintain.

In the April 14, 2008, issue of Sports Illustrated, Selena Roberts wrote about athletes wanting the celebrity status to last forever.  Roberts quoted an NBA player who said he wanted to ensure a lifestyle that means “never going to baggage claim again.”  And many believe the way to ensure that is to head straight for Hollywood.  The problem for sports — and sports fans — is that on their way, they often neglect to nurture the skills that brought them to the celebrity dance in the first place.

Unlike Michael Jordan who, as Roberts pointed out, gained his fame “title by title,” many young superstars sign with agents who promise immediate Hollywood-style fame.  You can dunk?  Well, then you can act-sing-accept-your-Oscar while still leading your team to the championship.  Roberts said the William Morris Agency, one of the largest entertainment agencies in the world,  considers players to be entertainers first and athletes second.

Look, I agree with the U. S. Army.  Be all that you can be.  So I am not saying athletes shouldn’t strive for whatever they can get, aim for the stars, have it all.  But, I also agree with Charles Barkley.  Watch some classic NBA games from the last couple of decades.  Jordan, Barkley, Magic and Bird all strove to be the best, taking pride in the game and their skills.  And they are all still successful, smartly leveraging their fame and fortune into post-NBA achievements. 

They’re all also admired and remembered for their athletic skills.  All can probably choose to go Hollywood whenever they want, but more importantly, these guys went Springfield, as in Springfield, Massachusetts, the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame.  I think they would have made it there without the help of a super-agent.     

  

I See Your Long Hair Flying When You Run …

OK, I know Bob Seger didn’t have Joshua Cribbs or Troy Polamalu in mind when he wrote those lyrics for “You’ll Accomp’ny Me.” But watching the Browns’ punt returner (Cribbs) and the Steelers’ safety (Polamalu) really brings those words to life.

Last week at the NFL owners’ meetings in Palm Springs, Florida, the assembled brass briefly considered quashing that image to improve the league’s overall image. As they considered such ethical issues as illegal taping and whistleblower provisions to protect anyone reporting illegal activity in the NFL, they discussed another weighty issue: hair. That’s right. Taking a page from the NBA’s handbook, the NFL now wants to ramp up its own image.

Never mind dogfighting, gambling, domestic abuse, and illegal drugs — and, granted, Commissioner Goodell has taken a hard stance against wayward players. But hair? Maybe it bothers me just because it is being framed as an image issue and not a safety concern.

That’s where good public relations comes in. Know how to frame your issue to get the most support. I cringe every time I think of one of my favorite players, Cribbs, getting yanked down by his hair by some mean, nasty Steeler (sorry, Bill). I think hair being used as a take-down tool is a big safety concern. So why isn’t it framed like that rather than an image issue?

I personally think Cribbs and Polamalu look kind of cute with all that hair. Yep, I said it. Even a mean, nasty Steeler can look cute (kinda). But I am concerned for their safety and well-being. Herm Edwards, the Chief’s head coach, was at the forefront of this long-hair-image-issue last week. Edwards said he was raised in a military home where rules and image were important. I have no problem with that.

But frame this issue for what it should be — a safety concern. I think the NFL, who delayed action on the issue until meeting with the players’ union later this year, would get more support for that position.

I.O.U. or U.O.ME?

Following an event during a recent Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend in Canton, I spoke for a while with a member of the HOF’s board of directors.  We compared notes on which Hall of Famers had returned for the annual festivities — the Hall has begun a tradition of inviting all back each year — and discussed why some inductees don’t return. 

This board member felt strongly that those non-returnees were showing a lack of gratitude to the NFL and the Hall by their absence.  He felt they “owed” both institutions because these players wouldn’t be everything they are and have everything they do if it weren’t for pro football.   

I am a huge football fan.  My dad started taking me to Browns and Hall of Fame games when I was still in elementary school — and that’s been a while, but we won’t go there.  Anyway, as much as I love pro football, I am not a fan of everything the NFL does, especially the way it has handled, or mishandled, the retired players’ pension issues.  Talk about owing someone something –who actually built the NFL into the sports powerhouse it is today?  The players maybe?  The NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) should show the same loyalty to those pioneers as the HOF board member thinks the players should show the NFL. 

The players who honor their induction into the Hall of Fame by returning are really honoring those who came before them, those who played with them, and the game itself.  And those are the real reasons they should return to Canton each year.   But I agree it would be nice to see more Hall of Famers come back.  Maybe when the NFL starts treating its former players with some respect and compassion, they will return the favor.   

Culture Shock

As a former employee of the federal government and of numerous presidential and congressional campaigns, I understand what politically correct means — especially in the sense of being respectful of cultural customs and behaviors.  But respect the practice of cockfighting because it’s part of someone else’s culture?  I don’t think so.

ESPN’s Stuart Scott has a column, “Two Way,” in ESPN The Magazine.  Readers are invited to share their thoughts on sports issues.  In the March 10, 2008, issue, Wes from Atlanta expressed his disappointment that some Dominican major league baseball players have been linked to cockfighting.  Scott responded that he didn’t like it either, but Americans risk being thought of as arrogant if we “expect or believe they shouldn’t do it.”  Scott suggested that because cockfighting is part of the Dominican culture, Americans “should respect that.”

Really?  Does that mean we should also respect child labor, stonings, female circumcision, and slavery?  In some parts of the world, these abuses are considered “cultural.”  I know, these are gross human rights abuses, and Scott is talking about animal abuse, but for a lot of us out there, any abuse of a living thing is condemnable.  But I guess Stuart Scott thinks we should all  just keep our mouths shut.  I mean, we don’t want anyone to think we’re arrogant or anything.

 In the same issue, columnist Junot Diaz writes about cockfighting as well, from the standpoint of a Dominican.  He calls it cruel, inhumane and a way of life there.  He also points out the inconsistencies in the U.S. with our poultry industry.  True, and those issues are being addressed and will hopefully result in more humane treatment of animals used for food marketing.  But we are talking sport.  Most people would be horrified if they visited an animal processing plant.  They surely wouldn’t be enjoying it as a sport. 

I understand that Scott wants to be respectful of other cultures.  There were some who thought Michael Vick’s dogfighting exploits were cultural.  But, if we can’t speak out against such “cultural” practices, aren’t we in a way condoning them?  At the very least, wouldn’t initiating an open dialogue about such issues be a healthy exercise for all involved — especially the unfortunate animals?  Maybe some real change could be brought about. 

If I see or hear about something I consider to be cruel and inhumane in our culture or anyone else’s, I will say so.  Just call me arrogant.     

    

In Recognition of Black History Month

“… we are a race of beings, who have long labored under the abuse and censure of the world; …we have long been looked upon with an eye of contempt; and … we have long been considered rather as brutish than human, and scarcely capable of mental endowments.” 

   African American astronomer Benjamin Banneker in a letter to Thomas Jefferson asking Jefferson to extend human liberties and rights to African Americans (1791).

“That was my time.  I was ready for it.  Every night, I stayed in and studied.  I wasn’t going to let them say black quarterbacks were dumb.” 

James Harris, one of the first black quarterbacks in the NFL, during an interview for the book, “Third and a Mile” (2007).

Two hundred and sixteen years separate those comments.  As we reflect on Black History Month, we can say that in some instances, we’ve come a short way, slowly.  How sad for us all — black, white, red, brown — that Banneker’s plea to Jefferson to “eradicate that train of absurd and false ideas and opinions, which so generally prevails with respect to [African Americans],” might still be made today.

But I don’t want to use this opportunity to dwell on what was and should never have been.  Rather, let’s celebrate what is and hopefully will be. 

What is?  Well, in 2007, Tony Dungy became the first black coach to win a Super Bowl.  This year, Mike Carey served as the first black referee in a Super Bowl.  In 1988, Doug Williams became the first black quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory.  All wonderful accomplishments and milestones, deserving of recognition.  Know what will be even better?  When those accomplishments are so commonplace, we won’t even notice. 

Organizations focused on the mission of furthering opportunities for minorities in the NFL provide promise for what will be.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance formed in 2003 as an affinity group of NFL minority coaches, scouts and front office personnel, works with the NFL to develop hiring guidelines and talent development programs.  Hall of Famer and former Giants linebacker, Harry Carson, is the current executive director.

Also, the league’s first five black quarterbacks – Harris, Williams, Marlin Briscoe, Vince Evans, and Hall of Famer Warren Moon– recently formed a nonprofit organization:  The Field Generals.  The group is dedicated to teaching and preserving the history of the African American quarterback.

Today, it is commonplace to see black quarterbacks on the field directing their teams, although there are still few black head coaches and general managers.  It has been a long time coming, and there is still much to work toward.  But progress has been made.

And Benjamin Banneker?  Not a football player of course, but if this is the first you’ve heard of him, take this opportunity to learn more.  Read his eloquent letter to Jefferson.  Unfortunately, you won’t be able to view much of his works and inventions.  On the day of his funeral in 1806, his home and all of its contents mysteriously burned to the ground.  

   

    

DO CLOTHES MAKE THE LEAGUE?

Flashback to 2005. Remember when the NBA instituted its new dress code and ushered in the dilemma every woman in America faces daily — what-to-wear/what-not-to-wear? It was developed to improve the NBA’s image. I think it worked.

Of course, for those of us in public relations, image is oh-so-important. My previous career was in politics, so I can attest to how important image is — and how difficult it can be to correct one. But the NBA has done a pretty good job.

The league, which many accused of acquiring a thug image in recent years, was in danger of losing corporate sponsorships and fans. So it rid itself of the chains, flip-flops, T-shirts, and sunglasses (indoors). Players seem to have embraced the code, competing with one another on who can look more dapper. LeBron, who just collected an NBA All-Star trophy again last night, has had no problem with it. Jermaine O’Neal promised to be one of the league’s best-dressed and, by all accounts, has succeeded. Even two of the NBA’s “bad boys” — Allen Iverson and Ron Artest — have coped with the less-than-cumbersome rules. Iverson didn’t like the rules (or practice, if you remember), but Artest vowed to have some fun with them, like purple shoes with yellow dress pants and such. Who says proper business attire can’t be fun?

Michael Jordan probably set the standard for presenting an impeccable, professional image. Gracing the cover of “ESPN The Magazine,” (Feb. 25, 2008 edition), Jordan says the NBA doesn’t currently have an image problem. He does, however, say that kids shouldn’t come into the league until they are 21 and possess (hopefully) better judgment, which I agree with. But that is another issue.

Jordan argues for genuineness in the league, and urges it to find the right mix between corporate and street to accommodate today’s players. He wants the NBA to allow them to be who they are, and not to try to remake them in the Jordan or Magic images. David Stern may not embrace that, but LeBron and Dwight Howard, and of course Iverson, will appreciate it.

While I don’t disagree with Jordan that a “correct” mix of corporate and street can work, I also know that Stern has to look at the bottom line. Professional basketball is big business and projecting a professional image — and one that is accepted by the majority of its fans and supporters — is important to its continued success. The players are professionals and, whether they like it or not, role models who present the NBA’s image to the rest of the world. They seem to be doing a pretty good job of it right now.

DO OFF-THE-FIELD ANTICS HURT POTENTIAL FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES?

On the Saturday before each Super Bowl, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announces its selections for induction into the NFL’s most exclusive fraternity. This year, six accomplished and deserving athletes were honored. Noticeably missing from the list, however, was newly eligible wide receiver, Cris Carter. A former Ohio State Buckeye who moved through the professional ranks with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins, Carter ranks second on the all-time receptions list. He was considered by many to be an automatic first-ballot selection.

But he wasn’t.

Now the buzz among many fans and sportswriters is that Carter’s off-the-field problems kept him from being a first-time inductee. Carter was suspended by OSU for a rules violation that led to his loss of eligibility for his senior year and his pleading guilty to defrauding OSU in an agent scandal. In his early pro career, Carter battled alcohol and drug addictions. But he has used his football fame to become an inspirational speaker counseling kids to stay away from alcohol and drugs. He also has remained active in football as a member of the HBO “Inside the NFL” broadcast team. Carter has not been the victim of bad press.

This same buzz was heard when receiver Michael Irvin, the “Playmaker” for the Dallas Cowboys, was left out of the line-up in his first year of HOF eligibility. Irvin’s much-publicized issues with drugs and women did little to make him a role model, but he made the cut in 2007 and is now permanently enshrined in Canton. As an ESPN analyst at the time, having the huge sports network advocate for him on the air couldn’t have hurt.

And then there is Lawrence Taylor who, even with his multiple and memorable off-the-field escapades, was inducted in his first year of eligibility in 1999. Considered to have redefined the outside linebacker position, Taylor put it all out there in his book, “LT: Over the Edge: Tackling Quarterbacks, Drugs, and a World Beyond Football.” While the book wasn’t published until 2004, five years after his induction, Taylor’s free-wheeling reputation was hardly a secret. Still, HOF voters recognized his on-the-field talent and rewarded him with a place in the Hall.

Five of the six players in this year’s class have waited years to be inducted. Class of 2008 member, Art Monk, has led an exemplary life on and off the field but waited nine years for the honor. Maybe some really good PR would have made the wait shorter for him, but in the end, his talent got him in.

Carter will be inducted into the HOF. History and bad press are not the culprits for his being left out this year. Like Monk, Carter’s talent will get him in.