Lance Allan: Sports Glance with Lance
ESPN PHONIES AT IT AGAIN
WORLDWIDE LEADER IN HYPE & SELF-PROMOTION
Maybe it took me awhile, but I finally figured out that ESPN stands for Eagerly Self Promoting Network.
Yeah, it was brought to my attention by my pastor Jonathan Misirian of Southbrook Church that someone by the name of Matt Mosely of ESPN.com wrote a blog, criticizing our treatment of the LeRoy Butler/Brett Favre story. In case you missed it, I did an interview with LeRoy, who insists that Brett Favre is not only coming back, but that he'll likely play for a division rival like the Lions, Vikings or Bears. You can check it out at http://www.todaystmj4.com/bloggers/lanceallan/18391614.html or at http://www.todaystmj4.com/bloggers/lanceallan/18390904.html
Well, Matt used to work for a respectable place like the Dallas Morning News. Now he takes pot shots at people on his blog, basically hinting that the Butler interview was a ratings stunt, and that there's no way Favre would play for a division team. It's funny...after our report aired, ESPN called the next day, and couldn't get a copy of the interview fast enough.
What was failed to be mentioned was the fact that I said this was LeRoy's opinion, and that I didn't think there was any way that the Packers would trade his rights to an NFC North rival.
You know, I've been down this road before. When you're in the media, you have to have thick skin. I'm not always perfect, and everyone has different opinions. But believe me, this was no ratings stunt. I'm like Brett Favre, when he said that he didn't get "up" for the Bears more than let's say the Saints...because you're cheating yourself and the game. I give the same effort every day. If I "amp" it up for ratings, then I'm cheating our viewers during the 8 other months of the year.
But for anyone from the Worldwide Leader in Hype and Self-Promotion to take a shot at someone else is the kettle calling the pot black, and then some. This is the same network that didn't even acknowledge NASCAR when they lost the TV contract, and now they can't promote it enough. Boy, that's fair and balanced journalism, and pretty hypocritical.
And I love when they have a report that says "reporter X has learned..." yeah, usually that writer or reporter has "learned" the information by reading it from the Associated Press or newspaper reporter, or "learned" it from a local TV or radio report. Don't be fooled sports fans, it's one of their most unethical tricks.
I could go into all of the sexual harassment suits, jock sniffing and unethical blend of advertising, promotion and "reporting," but you get the point. Most of the time if you want credible reporting, you should look elsewhere...and like Public Enemy sings, "Don't Believe the Hype" of the Worldwide Blowhards of Sports.
It's funny, I sent an e-mail to Matt Mosely hitting on these very same points, and I haven't heard back. Seems like they should be known as the Worldwide Leaders of Hit and Run Journalism....who obviously feel it's beyond them to respond after ripping someone else's credibility. As far as I'm concerned, they have next to none in my book.
Emails and opinions encouraged at lallan@todaystmj4.com
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