ESPN's Self-Evaluation of East Coast Bias
by Ted Bartlett on Aug 15, 2008 12:45 PM MDT
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PrintA few years ago, ESPN implemented the idea of hiring an independent ombudsman to periodically review and criticize the journalistic practices at the Worldwide Leader. Really, it was an excellent idea, due to their dual roles of reporters and content providers, and I think some improvement has happened since then.
The current ombudsman is a lady named Le Anne Schreiber, I personally think very highly of her objectivity and standards of journalism. Her story of today examines a topic near to the hearts of many MHR faithful. She explores whether there is actually an east coast bias at work in the way ESPN covers sports (particularly in the case of the article, baseball.)
I, like everybody else have gotten upset with the way ESPN endlessly hypes certain rivalries (with Red Sox-Yankees and Duke-North Carolina chief among them.) I do mostly think that her main point is salient though, when she asserts that while the focus is squarely on high ratings, the driver for high ratings is high quality content and matchups, so the most compelling personalities and storylines tend to rule, regardless of the geography associated. Brett Favre played most of his career in the smallest media market in professional sports, and was covered to death (especially lately) because of his undeniable star quality.
I also think that the NFL doesn't lend itself as well to the possibility of geographical bias, because of full revenue-sharing, and a top-down focus on parity. A team in any market can be successful (in terms of wins and losses at least) in the NFL. The TV people can love on the Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys all they want, but if all three are bad teams, nobody is going to want to watch. You look at San Diego and Indianapolis as examples of small market teams right now which are in the mix for a championship, and they get their due coverage.
I have been a long-time critic of ESPN, mostly because I think they dramatically underperform in terms of quality of content, relative to the resources they have. I can only think of a few ESPN personalities who I think really add consumer value (Peter Gammons, Bill Simmons, Chris Mortensen... that's about it in my mind.) I think Ms. Schreiber's article is worth considering, and that it's probably more objective than we or an on-air personality at ESPN can be . Please base comments more on her column than on my fanpost, as mine is just baseless opinion :)
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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I wouldn't exactly call San Diego a small market(2 million people in the city limits),
but I suppose you would call them small market when comparing their fan base to other comparable markets. lol ;) I think even Denver has a larger fan base than San Diego, but less than half the population. oakland would be considered a small market(smaller than Denver even), but it has a rather large fan base as well. So it begs the question, what is a large market compared to a small market?
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
what hurts SD
IMO is the large number of military members and retirees. Plus their fanbases are not always there. They have never drawn over 3.5 million for the Pads, adn the Chargers attendance is solely based on how good/bad the team is. Whereas the Broncos attendance is always 75000+ for each game no matter if they are 5-11 or 11-5.
Plus I for one am tired of the constand east coast drum banging. Frankly I dont care about the Redsox and yankmees, or all the NY teams, Philly can go away. I hate the treament of all Colorado teams. Its like the Mountain timezone doesnt even exist
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 15, 2008 1:55 PM MDT up reply actions
Hey...look at my list of favorite teams ok?
Denver Broncos
Sacramento Kings
San Diego Padres
Maybe its in my personality to pick teams hated by the media. lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
the queens
err Kings were kinda loved by ESPN when they had that 3-4 year run when they were playing the Lakers. Plus it didnt hurt that Christie was whipped and everyone in the entire US of A knew it.
Oh man you must be happing life as a Pad fan right now. Their coach is in SF and your Pads are battling Wash for the #1 pick. It wont matter though. They wont be able to sign any pick. Why do you think they drafted matt Bush
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 15, 2008 3:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Lucky for me I don't follow baseball at all. :P Are the Padres any good? lol
btw, I converted to a Kings fan in 2001 when I started being around my wife’s family so much…now I think I should switch back to being a Lakers fan. Less disappointing. ;)
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
HOF
The treatment of Colorado teams is especially brought out in the HOF voting. Gradishar should have been elected 15-18 years ago, and he still has to wait. The NFL Network did a Top 10 show of best players not in the Hall, and he wasn’t one of them. They had Steve Tasker on that list instead. Crazy!!!! Gradishar should have been #1 or 2 on that list.
Tasker...lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
No
Tasker…sad
"It's all over Fat Man"
- Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
"I wouldn't say he's nowhere near T.O."
- Pacman Jones on Brandon Marshall
by DesertBroncoFan on Aug 15, 2008 4:18 PM MDT up reply actions
Who in the world is Steve Tascher?
*Puzzled Face.
I can think of 4 other Broncos right off the top of my head that should have been on that list:
-Floyd Little
-Lionel Taylor
-Karl Mecklenberg
-The afforementioned Gradishar
Schreiber
I gained a lot of respect for her when she seemed to own up to the idea that the Favre love fest on MNF (GB at DEN) was just plain da&#ed silly.
Still, the personalities at ESPN seem to hype themselves more than the players, the games, or the sports, and it lessens the quality. There is also way too much fluff, and too little focus during NFL games.
The same dynamic happened with MTV. It started as a music channel, and the VJs where second place to (and star struck) by the celebrities they interviewed. Then the music videos became less of a focus (much less), and the DJs tried to become celebrities themselves. Now, instead of being a cultural center and trend setter, MTV is just another cable channel (and has little to do with music and music videos anymore).
It also happened in political programming on TV. There was a time when we had shows like Firing Line, the original McLaughlin Group, the original Capitol Hill Gang, and the original Cross Fire. Firing Line never went down hill (WFB RIP), but the other shows spiraled from intelligent, informative and respectful debate, down to talking points, arguing, and cheap applause lines.
ESPN and FOX Sports are similar problems. Loud, fluff, and less about analysis and more about egos.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
MTV
IMO, I think the scary thing about MTV is that it’s become more of a cultural center as it has moved away from being a music video station. The Real World used to be about getting real people on TV. Now it’s just the newest cast of hot sub-24 year olds getting drunk. Even though the programming is worse (Tila Tequila?), they still own the young demographic.
I think ESPN is going a similar mainstream direction. Segments like “Jacked Up” that glorify people getting laid out get top billing, while the scheme breakdowns only get limited airtime.
On the other hand,
…MTV once appealed to a wider demographic. It is still seen as an icon of the eighties, but I don’t think it still holds weight as a current icon. Just my opinion.
Solid points!
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 15, 2008 7:08 PM MDT up reply actions
Beavis and Butthead changed my life back in the day....
lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
I am biased towards South Park myself...
…for kids behaving badly. : )
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 15, 2008 7:12 PM MDT up reply actions
I never wached
either B and B and Southpark. I guess I dont get what the big deal over Southpark is.
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 16, 2008 11:45 AM MDT up reply actions
Because it's really, really funny.
Stan, 1102- Cartman Sucks
Though I believe it has lost some of its edge dating back to Season 9.
I think
the female commentators (i. e. Michelle Tafoya) need to go. They are always spewing BS in the middle of great plays.
Not to sound overtly sexist, but women have no place commentating on football. Now the WNBA, that’s a different story.
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
Terrible.
If this was an attempt at humor, then it failed. If it was not, then I have to say that I’m disappointed.
Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/
So
You enjoy when they talk through all the action huh? Is your wife reading over your shoulder or something?
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
Also
Anyone that says they enjoy Michelle Tafoya’s input is full of it.
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
I cant stand her
Not only does she disparage all my favorite Colorado teams she is boring. I hate it when she fills in for Mike Tirico on the Tirico and Van Pelt show. I would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than her uninformed crap
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 15, 2008 4:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Too true
I realize my previous comment sounded sexist, but she really gets my blood boiling.
Michelle Tafoya- " so Brett farve is wearing his lucky socks today and took his poodle for a walk before coming to the stadium.blah blah blah blah."
Meanwhile the camera isn’t showing the double reverse for a touchdown to take the lead. You miss the action while she innundates you with human interest BS or re-hashed information you’ve already heard before.
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
Nope.
Your previous comment didn’t sound sexist, it was sexist. Look, I don’t believe I’ve come across a female commentator whose contributions helped the broadcast all that much, but I think you’re missing the point.
Women often get the most useless assignment: the sideline reporter. I sincerely doubt that they get to pick the stuff they talk about. In fact, the only reason why the camera is on them and not the action is because some jackass probably thought to himself “well, I sent her to go talk about all that fluff because the men will handle the real football stuff, so at least we should get our money’s worth since she’s easy on the eyes!”
Every broadcast has too many people involved and the vast majority of male commentators are utterly useless anyway. Bottomline is this: I prefer a million times to watch Erin Andrews than to listen to flagship guys like John Madden or Joe Morgan.
Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/
I dont like sideline reporters
Male or female they dont add a single thing to the game whats so ever
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 16, 2008 11:46 AM MDT up reply actions
Even the interviews are worthless.
“So Tony Dungy, how do you prepare for the second half down by three?”
Dungy – “We’re just going to take it one play at a time.”
Suzy Colber – “So Joe Namath, how do you feel about Chad Pennington?”
Namath – “I wanna kiss you!”
Sideline reporters are the most worthless, cliche-ridden waste of time known to man. I just want to listen to Vin Scully for three hours, and my sould would be at peace. As for women, I have yet to hear one that presents a good insight to the game, but if there was a woman who put something in that was her own natural, informed, and educated opinion, (not the by-product of affirmative action) I would not have a problem with it.
by papigrande on Aug 16, 2008 2:02 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
So I'm not the only one.
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
I don't thik women shouldn't be sports reporters,
I just don’t think a good female football reporter currently exists.
call me sexist then, I don't really care.
But I do know male reporters aren’t allowed in WNBA locker rooms, while female reporters can go in any sports locker room. That’s not exactly fair.
And the women would get the good stories if they actually knew anything about the nuances and technicalities of the game,so thanks for proving my point for me EJruiz.
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
I'll Let You Be.
Ignorance is bliss, I guess. I can tell that you’ve had arguments like this before (the forced, preconceived counter-arguments are a dead giveaway) and have no intention of being introspecitve. As evidenced by the first reply to your comment, you should realize that when you post here you do so as a member of a group and your opinion can easily be transposed to the rest of us. When it comes to the Broncos, or even football in general, that’s just fine; but when it comes to this sort of nonsense, it’s not cool.
Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/
Whatever you say pal.
You’re the only one that seems to have a problem with what I said. Well, you and raider pete. But as we all know, fader fans don’t count.
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
Maybe I can find a more sexist avatar so I can accomodate you EJ.
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
Doris Burke....
is excellent as an analyst for ESPN basketball broadcasts. She has legit qualifications, being a former coach, and it’s obvious she knows what she’s talking about. There’s no reason a woman couldn’t emerge who is as good with football as she is with basketball. Personally, I like Suzy Kolber, and think she’s pretty knowledgeable.
"I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important --like a league game or something." DICK BUTKUS
by Ted Bartlett on Aug 16, 2008 4:47 PM MDT up reply actions
Schlereth
The one person that I always want to hear more from is Mark Schlereth. I know there’s a little Broncos bias, but the irony of someone who participated in the OL Media Kangaroo Court being a national TV personality (complete with an soap opera appearance) is truly awesome.
He always articulates a good argument from the players point of view, which can’t be said of all of the other former players that cycle through ESPN.
Shannon Sharpe doesn't get much love as a broadcaster, but
he almost always picks the Broncos to win. ;) I love him for it cause the pukes on either side of him give him crap for it off camera, I know they do.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
Sharpe
Sharpe is just fun to listen to, regardless of how off topic he goes.
I always enjoy when internal bickering breaks out during a sports talk show, especially among old players. That’s why I love the halftime show during a NBA game on TNT. Charles Barkley egocentric opininons never cease to amaze me.
They both speak their mind
Thats why I love listening to them. What they say may be crazier than some of the stuff that you’d hear at the local asylum, but there is no politically correct bs coming from either of them. Sharpe may not add anything to the discussion, but he is almost always enjoyable to listen to. That and he is a blatant Denver homer, something that I think all of us can appreciate at least a little bit.
I love Sharpe
But I cant listen to him on TV, I refuse to. I did love it when he called out JAke Plummer a few years ago. Well next year he should be in the HOF, oh wait. Scratch that. I forgot he is a Bronco so he may not make into the hall
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 15, 2008 3:52 PM MDT up reply actions
I think one thing wrong with broadcasting is the lack of ugly people as analysts.
Linemen and linebackers like Schlereth, Tom Jackson, Lomas Brown, and even Mike Golic are better analysts than quarterbacks like Boomer Esiason. Why? Football is won in the trenches. If you lose the battle at the line of scrimmage, you usually lose the game. Linemen spend their entire careers immersing themselves in the intricacies of trench warfare. However, no one likes to hear about that. So in order for a lineman to become an analyst, he has to leanr the ins and outs of the pretty people, the QB’s and RB’s. So now Lineman Analyst has knowledge of both parts of the game of football.
Pretty people, however, seem to feel content with their knowledge of whatever positions they played. All the average fan cares about is seeing Peyton Manning throw a long bomb or Adrian Peterson breaking a big run, so that’s all Pretty Person Analyst talks about. He gloats over LDT’s spin move; he gets off on Rodney Harrison’s big hit. He never mentions the key blocks or, defensively, the key linemen that allowed the linebackers to get open space by taking on a blocker.
But to Lineman Analyst, this comes naturally. He doesn’t hesitate to mention when Mike Vrabel covered the wrong gap, allowing a big run to break. He mentions second-naturedly when Joe Thomas allows his quarterback that extra second.
These are the things I look for in an analyst, and most of the pretty people neglect to mention them.
not too mention
OL lineman are usually the smartest guys on the team.
They score higher on the wonderlick tests. Plus Esiason is a douche
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 15, 2008 6:08 PM MDT up reply actions
The people that do the hiring...
…understand “pretty”. They don’t understand sports knowledge.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 15, 2008 7:21 PM MDT up reply actions
Follow the Championships...
Since the Broncos second of back-to-back Super Bowl wins, “East Coast” teams (Giants, Ravens and the Pats thrice) have won more championships than the rest of the league combined! The other winners are the Bucs, Steelers, Rams and Colts, so no one considerably west of the Mississippi River has done much of note in the last nine seasons. I know that Left Coast and Mountain West fans feel underrepresented, but perhaps that has more to do with the product on the field than some sureptitious bias…
Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/
They have more teams though....
We got what, 9 teams west of the Mississippi?
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
Well, that settles it
its a Denver Bias!
:)
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 15, 2008 4:41 PM MDT reply actions
anti-denver, I mean
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 15, 2008 4:41 PM MDT up reply actions
I just watched a video
On Fox sports. Adam Schein just said denver will better in all phases and said Jay Cutler will have a pro bowl type year, Marshall will be talked about as an elite WR after his vacation is over. Says the broncos are better in the LBer corp. It was so nice to hear a MSMer not talk trash about the Broncos. I fell off my chair with all the nice things that he said. What a contrast from the 4 letter. (I like 2 use 4 letter words describing the 4 letter)
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 15, 2008 4:51 PM MDT up reply actions
right on. I didn't think it was possible.
Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.
Adam Schein is pro.
I give what he says a lot of weight. I think his work is insightful and well done. If he has a critical comment about Denver, I take a second look because I respect him that much.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 15, 2008 7:24 PM MDT up reply actions
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