Last week, I questioned the sincerity of Terrell Owens tears when he was talking about his teammate, Tony Romo. Here’s one interesting e-mail exhange between a viewer and myself.
I understand your point of sportscasters having an opinion, and never said they shouldn’t, and I agree that the sportscast needs to be relevant, exciting, fun etc…. However, my opinion is that sportscasters (and I’m not singling you out, there’s quite a few in the business that this can apply to) need to be objective about what they report, just like newscasters do. A sportscaster taking shots at the opponent of a local team, is similar to say, Katie Couric taking shots at President Bush while doing the news. The main issue that I have with it is simply the medium in which it’s presented. Basically you are on TV using the station’s 8 billion gigawatts to give your opinion with no way for John Q. Public to present an opposing opinion. Again I point out the difference between sportscaster and talk show host, you can say on air “The Rangers suck!” I disagree but can’t defend my position publicly, whereas a talk show host can say that, and I would be able to argue it (and have in the past, although this season is a different story). Back to the newscaster analogy, Rush Limbaugh can bash Clinton all day long on the radio and it’s okay (it’s his gig) Al Terzi can’t (it’s his gig). Sorry for the long rambling email, just wanted to get my views across in a somewhat coherent manner! Have a great day. Bill
I then replied to Bill with this:
I would agree with you Bill if the sportscaster always slanted one way. But if you’ve watched me, I don’t take the same sides, even when my own teams are involved. I blasted Belecheat and got hammered for it. I critisized Tom Coughlin and thought he should be fired when the Giants were 0 and 2.> I blasted Arod when he stole the Sox thunder during the World Series, and Sox fans who know I really hate the Sox praised me for it. I usually do with what I think is right, not what team or player is involved.> > As for you Katie Couric comparison. You’re right about Katie….but you’re comparing me to the wrong person.> My role in our newscast as the sportscaster is much like that of Tim Russert’s in NBC’s newscast. If he blasts Bush, and then Obama, and then whoever, no problem,. Katie can’t, Russert can. Terzi can’t, I can. After you accept that premise, it’s a matter of credibity. If Russert blasts the same guy, or the same side all of the time, he loses credibility. If I do the same thing, I lose credibility.>
Joe Zone
And here’s what Bill came back with:
Y’know what, you won me over! A very compelling argument, and good explanation (the comparison to Russert is what sealed the deal). My apologies for misunderstanding your gig and you have gained a converted viewer! However, if you start blasting the Rangers….(on second thought they’re pretty pathetic of late, blast away).
Bill
