ESPN, we didn’t expect this from you

Aug 4th 2009
Tags: Just my thoughts

ESPN, we didn’t expect this from you

ESPN has always been about the personalities. Sure, they have the best sports coverage around, but so many of us are hooked on their anchors, their reporters and their podcast hosts.

That’s what makes news like this, first reported by NPR, troubling.

Stop trying to control the message. Stop putting the hammer down on what makes your organization great. Let your personalities shine. No more arbitrary rules.

I’m not alone. Hell, maybe the Sports Guy, TMR and whomever else has the guts should go off on their own. I hear Adam Carolla knows a thing or two about podcasting.

The actual memo, published by Deadspin, is even more out of touch. Have you even been listening ESPN? How can you be so bad at this?

Progressive companies like ESPN stand to benefit from social media the most, for two big reasons. One, letting their reporters off their chain lets us know we’re getting unbiased, unfiltered stories from a source we can trust. Most of the ESPN reporters and anchors are genuine sports fans who want nothing more than to share what they know and we love them for it.

Two, it’s damn entertaining. We know sports isn’t a cut and dry business and ESPN has never been a cut and dry company. This has all changed.

Are they worried about brand image? They’ve spent millions of dollars on ad campaigns showcasing their most-watched and read stars like Bill Simmons, Ric Bucher or Matthew Berry, and have now seemingly muzzled them. Like it or not, my trust has been eroded. How do I know if I’m getting the real scoop?

You’re irrelevant in this new media age now, ESPN. You’re wrong and you just don’t know it yet.

Edit: looks like there’s more. Still seems off.

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SteveBelt

In the immortal words of Amy and Seth from SNL: "Really, Tyler, Really?" This surprises you how? This is ESPN, after all. This is Disneyland in Connecticut, where employees aren't employees, they are cast members.

I'm personally surprised Disney let the reigns go this free for this long by the talking heads that work at ESPN. Mind you, not surprised in a good way, just intrigued that it took this long for someone to step far enough out of line for the hammer to come down. Remember, this is the same network that gave Dana Jacobson a weeks vacation (suspension) for her drunken angst against Notre Dame at an ESPN Roast.

Oh, and regarding the integrity of ESPN...what integrity? If it isn't Boston, LA, or NY, it isn't news.

tdhurst

I KNOW you're right and I agree that I shouldn't be surprised, I was holding out hope that a network that has been built by personalities would see the light.

Chuck Reynolds

They're somehow trying to cover their ass? I don't know... it's stupid and only a step backwards for them. I hope they reconsider

phxwebguy

Oh... And another thing. People's behavior and how they conduct themselves online is an iherent risk of participating in Social Media. ESPN and other organizations should know that going in. I am sure that all of these personalities were probably on Twitter long before the "Higher HQ" and their intent is not to defame ESPN but to keep in touch with the community and fans. I am not a fan of the decision but I do think that it makes sense in the military and other security sensitive organizations. But, no National Security is going to be compromised if an ESPN employee is tweeting about the bottle of red wine they just had.

There I'm done. ;)

AdamMackWright

This was going to happen...i'm surprised it took this long. TMR has posted things about being out at night hooking up with girls, Sports Guy has made poorly timed jokes about Nick Adenhart, the Angels pitcher who was killed...and the other day an anchor's page (can't remember who) was hacked and posted "I am horny", which ended up sitting there for a few hours before anyone caught it. It was fun while it lasted but ESPN is owned by Disney...it was inevitable.

Now if you really want to take ESPN to task...what about their non-reporting/gag order on the Ben Roethlisberger Sexual Assault accusations?? If his name had been Donovan McNabb, i bet they wouldn't have been so hush, hush.

siwrites

I follow Bucher, and I follow him solely for NBA news. That's what has always made these pro sports guys great. I don't give a shit about Ric Bucher or Marc Stein or their personalities (for which they both have none). I want breaking news from them. I want rumors. I want things they hear. If ESPN wants to shit on that, then they've just lost a viewer.

phxwebguy

I seriously don't know what to think. I was in a bit of disbelief when I saw that. ESPN of all people? So ESPN is going back to a faceless organization. Sure their commercials can be funny but seriously. Taking tweeting away from the employees?

Hey ESPN, you see what MLB is doing? All reporters, regional and national... sharing stuff on Twitter BESIDES BASEBALL. Like the killer Mexican place in San Diego or the best place to stay in Houston or that we should watch the MLB Network. Oh... and someone else who gets it.... FOX. Its a sad day really when FOX out smarts you ESPN. #justsayin

tdhurst

(you can call me tyler)

ESPN, we didn’t expect this from you

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