MEDIA BLITZ
By John Molori
Sports media has some of its own March Madness
From a media perspective, March Madness is about more than just college basketball. This has been a month of interesting insights, strange statements and dubious developments.
Poor Kobe
Excuse me if I don’t shed a tear or feel admiration for Kobe Bryant. The Lakers star, currently charged with sexual assault in Colorado, is the subject of a Sports Illustrated story this week. The gist of the piece is that Kobe has held up remarkably well under the strain of his legal woes.
While writer Karl Taro Greenfeld did say that Kobe created his own troubles, the piece was filled with sympathy for his plight. In describing Kobe, Greenfeld writes, “Kobe Bryant sits by himself in the training room, dolefully chewing a Snickers bar and staring straight ahead.”
Later in the piece, he writes, “What we are watching, for better or for worse, is a unique athlete thriving despite remarkable adversity and ceaseless scrutiny.” Greenfeld goes on to lament Kobe’s two life options: a new multi-million dollar contract or a jail cell.
Elsewhere in the story, he lauds Bryant’s game, calling him “new and improved.” Greenfeld is not Bryant’s only not-so-secret admirer.
Teammate Rick Fox states in the article, “To go from that type of legal setting to the basketball court in one day requires amazing concentration.” Head Coach Phil Jackson told Greenfeld, “No one can understand what kind of pressure he is under.”
No one, with the possible exception of the woman he allegedly assaulted. Bryant is totally innocent until proven guilty, but spare me the sympathy and admiration. At best, he is an adulterer and at worst, he is guilty of sexual assault. The adversity and scrutiny is self-inflicted. His isolation is his fault.
Fox says that moving from the courtroom to the court requires concentration. Maybe, but being in that situation in the first place requires amazing stupidity.
Liar, Liar
I’ve finally figured out what it takes to be a big time Boston sports talk host. Job one is to read quotes from well-known players, and then proceed to question their veracity.
Recently, Greg Dickerson, filling in for Gerry Callahan on Sportsradio 850 WEEI’s “Dennis and Callahan Show,” repeated quotes from Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez. Martinez’ told reporters that he was throwing the ball very well and feeling extremely healthy.
Dickerson proceeded to question Pedro’s honesty, wondering if the pitcher was saying these things simply to make himself look good for a potential free agent bonanza after this season.
Similarly, WEEI’s “Big Show” host Glenn Ordway read numerous quotes from a recent Grady Little GQ Magazine interview.
In the story, the former Red Sox manager stated that several Red Sox players were afraid to make mistakes given the legacy of the Red Sox. Little said that many players confided in him that they did not want to become the next Bill Buckner.
Ordway doubted what Little was saying. I have absolutely no problem with questioning statements, but why take the time to read the quotes if you are merely going to dismiss them as untruths. Seems to me to be a colossal waste of airtime.
Ron’s rights
Once again, I have to give kudos to Ron Borges for having the guts to state his convictions amidst growing dissent and attacks. Borges continues to be, perhaps, the sole beacon of accountability especially when it comes to the New England Patriots.
His recent comparison of Tom Brady’s new Patriots deal with Peyton Manning’s record-setting Colts contract met with almost universal disdain.
Borges was simply saying that Indy gave Manning a more lucrative deal than New England gave Brady. That is accurate. He also quoted an unnamed agent who agreed with that assessment.
In response, Borges was vilified on WEEI, Fox Sports Net’s “New England Sports Tonight” and other media outlets. I cannot help but think that the venom directed toward Borges is corporate in nature.
WEEI has a long-running feud with Borges’ newspaper, The Boston Globe. Similarly, “New England Sports Tonight” is sponsored by The Boston Herald and regularly features Borges’ Herald counterpart and rival, Michael Felger. Felger has been one of Borges most vocal critics.
It’s hard to find any fault with these New England Patriots, on the field or in the front office, but questioning their methods is not taboo. Critics of Borges like to say that he has a personal vendetta against the Patriots.
Maybe he does, but it’s just as clear that many Boston media people are suffering from Patriots love sickness. Which is worse, a reporter who questions a team or a reporter who doesn’t question a team?
Ring rot
When it comes to pro boxing, everything old is, indeed, new again. In addition to announcing that he wants to fight again, former heavyweight champion and HBO boxing analyst George Foreman has signed on with Sylvester Stallone’s new unscripted “Contenders” series on NBC.
Meanwhile, former welterweight and middleweight king Sugar Ray Leonard has also joined the series set to premiere in January. On the program, young boxing hopefuls will get the chance to train with the legends of the sport.
On Saturday, five-time world champion Vinny Paz will fight Tocker Pudwill at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. Paz is shooting for his 50th win in his final fight. The bout will be broadcast on Comcast CN8 at 8:00 p.m.
The lingering popularity of this over the hill gang is an indictment of the current state of boxing. Like men’s tennis, the sport is sorely lacking, not only in talent, but also in marketable superstars.
Foreman, Pazienza and Leonard are from an era that featured the likes of Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran just to name a few.
Contemporary boxers cannot hold a candle to these fighters in terms of media savvy and popularity. Even talented boxers like Roy Jones, Jr., who recently signed as an analyst with HBO, fall short in the charisma category.
Kudos to the graybeards for keeping the fire burning while today’s boxers fail to carry the torch.
Spinning a web
It’s no surprise that Internet sales of Lowell, Spinners tickets set records this week. Owners Drew and Joann Weber and president Shawn Smith know how to market a team and provide affordable family fun.
While the Red Sox owners have turned Yawkey Way into a Hometown Buffet and engage in the sinister practice of charging different prices for the same seats depending on the opponent, the Spinners offer a kinder, gentler alternative.
On Monday, lowellspinners.com received 100,000 consecutive hits for tickets, more than most Major League teams receive.
Similarly, ESPN and ESPN2’s ratings for the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament are up 133% over last year. Sunday’s 9:00 p.m. telecast was seen in 658,160 households, the most viewed first round telecast ever.
The women’s college game continues to grow more competitive. The game features the best of what the men’s game used to be, passing, team defense and quality shooting, not just dunks, treys and pose downs.
The Spinners and the NCAA women’s tourney are providing good products. It’s comforting to see the public jumping on board.
John Molori’s Media Blitz column is published in The Boston Metro, The Providence Journal, The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, The Lowell Sun, Patriots Football Weekly, BostonSportsMedia.com and MethuenOnline.com. John can be reached via E-mail at JOMOL3@aol.com.
