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Year in sports media: TMZ, not ESPN, breaks biggest stories; Simmons follies; NBA cashes in

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My latest column for the National Sports Journalism Center at Indiana looks back at the year in sports media.

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When I first launched Sherman Report in April, 2012, I initially was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough material on sports media to support a regular blog. I soon discovered just the opposite was the case.

There was so much news and content occurring, I had to make an executive decision. I couldn’t be The New York Times and run “all the news that’s fit to print” on sports media. I had to make choices about what I post, and that still covers considerable territory.

One thing is for sure: the world of sports media never is dull. It was another eventful year in 2014.

Here’s what stood out:

TMZ, not ESPN: The two biggest stories in sports in 2014 were broken by TMZ, an outlet dedicated to trashy gossip about celebrities. Yet it was their video and audio tapes that exploded the lives of Ray Rice and Donald Sterling and subsequently dominated the national conversation.

TMZ was lauded for the scoops, although paying for stories hardly qualifies as journalism. But does it matter in the new media landscape? People just want information, and TMZ delivered.

NFL rules: Despite the furor over the Rice and Adrian Peterson stories, the NFL’s ratings for women viewers actually increased. Overall, the league drew some of its biggest numbers for games in years. A new Thursday night package on CBS and NFL Network also did well despite several blowouts.

Fans might have been outraged, but they still wanted to follow their fantasy players.

Conflicted: The Rice story, which placed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell under fire, also put the spotlight on ESPN. Would the network bash the head of its most important league partner? ESPN ombudsman Robert Lipsyte called the network’s journalism “inconsistent” in his farewell column. However, when it came to Goodell and Rice, “Outside The Lines” delivered solid and often damning reporting on the commissioner.

And Keith Olbermann strongly advocated for Goodell’s dismissal. That had to make for some interesting meetings between ESPN president John Skipper and top NFL brass.

Simmons follies: It was an eventful year for Bill Simmons. As editor of Grantland, he had to issue an apology for a story that outed the subject as a transvestite, perhaps contributing to the person committing suicide. He also moved from “NBA Countdown” to hosting his own NBA show.

Then he earned a three-week suspension for calling Goodell “a liar” in a podcast. Simmons reportedly was none too pleased about being sent to the sidelines. With his contract up next year, there will be plenty of speculation about his future in 2015.

Slam dunk: The NBA hit the jackpot with a new $24 billion TV deal with ESPN and TNT. Funny thing: $24 billion doesn’t even sound like an outrageous amount of cash during a period when sports TV rights continue to explode.

Striking out: The new Dodgers Network left many fans in the dark in LA. Several big distributors balked at the fee. The impasse could mark a change in the landscape, at least on the local front for individual teams.

Soccer fever: For a couple of weeks during the summer, the U.S. was captivated by the World Cup. ESPN pulled in some big numbers for the games in Brazil. Wake us again for the 2018 Cup in Russia.

Eyes on Sochi: Bob Costas had the most famous case of pink eye in TV sports history. The ailment caused him to miss several days of his host duties of the Winter Olympics. No matter, as NBC delivered strong ratings. Like the World Cup, nothing sells in the U.S. like a heavy dose of nationalism.

Falling series: Baseball, meanwhile, continues to slide in reverse—at least for its postseason. Despite San Francisco and Kansas City going to seven games, the World Series averaged only an 8.2 rating, the second lowest in history. Mind-numbing, endless games continue to make many of the telecasts unwatchable, especially for those in the younger demographics. Baseball knows it has a serious problem with the pace of play. Implementing changes, though, will be difficult.

The R-word: Announcers became part of the story on the controversial Washington nickname. James Brown and Phil Simms were among those who said they weren’t going to use it, simply referring to the team as “Washington.” Overall, the story received unprecedented coverage, with increased protests to have the nickname changed. However, owner Daniel Snyder is entrenched.

Lineup changes: Fox Sports decided it needed two people to replace Tim McCarver as its lead analyst: Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci. The new team had some rough spots, as Reynolds, in particular, wasn’t warmly received by several critics.

Meanwhile, ESPN decided to elevate Chris Fowler to its No. 1 voice for college football, relegating Brent Musburger to the new SEC Network. Fowler is a superb talent, but it is going to take a while to see if he truly has a distinctive voice on play-by-play. Fans also realized how much they missed Musburger on the big telecasts when he did the Alabama-Auburn game in primetime for ESPN.

Not No. 1: Fox Sports 1 celebrated its first birthday in August as a work-in-progress. Airing postseason baseball games helped draw viewers to the network. However, its studio shows still barely register compared to ESPN, and not getting a slice of the NBA deal was a big setback.

Last words: Rick Reilly said he is finished writing columns, saying he wants to pursue other projects. If so, it’s the end of a great aspect of his career. However, a part of me believes he will pop up again somewhere else.

Also, the extraordinary Gary Smith left Sports Illustrated.

Shortstop to publisher: Who knew that Derek Jeter wanted to get into media? Shortly after playing his last game, he launched The Players Tribune, a site that allows athletes to bypass traditional media to tell their stories. Of course, many of their stories will be vetted, if not written, by their PR crew and agents.

Hall protest: Dan Le Batard decided to let Deadspin readers determine his Baseball Hall of Fame selections as a protest to the voting policies. He took plenty of heat. I always considered Le Batard as a serious journalist. However, this stunt was beneath him.

Worthy: My favorite sports media story was Roger Angell receiving the Spink Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame. It was way, way overdue for the 93-year-old who still has his fastball after all these years.

And finally: Many thanks to the fine folks at the National Sports Center Journalism at Indiana University for allowing me to use this space in 2014. It is a privilege.

Happy holidays to all. See you in 2015.

 

Terrible Bears still get Buck-Aikman on Sunday

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Even though the Bears have been dreadful, Fox Sports still is sending its A-team to Soldier Field Sunday. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be on the call for the Bears-Detroit game.

It is interesting to note that Fox’s top crew is doing a game that will air in only 28 percent of the U.S. Meanwhile, Fox’s biggest game in terms of coverage area Sunday is Atlanta-New Orleans, which will be seen in 38 percent of the U.S. Kevin Burkhardt and John Lynch will work that game.

Fox Sports spokesman Dan Bell said: “We have three games featuring three potential NFC playoff teams this weekend (also Green Bay at Tampa Bay) that the top crew could broadcast. This game was chosen because Detroit is one of the best teams in the NFL and is currently leading the NFC North; the crew could possibly broadcast one of their playoff games; and all of our NFL crews enjoy coming to Chicago to broadcast games.”

Chicago in late December over New Orleans? OK.

From a Bears perspective, the game will give Aikman plenty of time to weigh in on the Jay Cutler situation.

Ben Finfer: The aftermath of the radio rant heard around the world

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My latest Chicago Tribune column is on Ben Finfer, whose epic rant traveled far beyond a FM sports talk station in Chicago.

From the column:

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It was the rant literally heard around the world.

After learning that WGWG-LP 87.7, a.k.a. “The Game,” was shutting down while on the air in November, Ben Finfer unleashed his anger for all to hear.

“I had respect for my bosses until five minutes ago,” Finfer told listeners. “Who treats people like this?”

The 10-minute tirade quickly went viral. It got picked up by sites such as Deadspin and Big Lead and ran on outlets in New York, Washington, Toronto, and even London.

Indeed, the last thing Finfer ever expected was to be a story in the United Kingdom.

“I guess people love when you rip on bosses,” Finfer said. “I didn’t think it would blow up the way it did, but I also know how things work in 2014.”

Finfer also now has a better knowledge on the fickle state of talk radio. After he and co-host Alex Quigley play out the string for their noon-3 p.m. show on The Game, which will close at the end of the year, Finfer will go into 2015 looking for a new job.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way for Finfer and others who joined the new enterprise last winter. He was comfortable as the producer for “The Mac & Spiegs” midday show on WSCR-AM 670, along with working some weekend shifts as a host.

However, at age 34, Finfer yearned to have his own daily show. He didn’t hesitate when WGN-AM 720 president Jimmy de Castro offered him the opportunity on what would be the town’s third sports talk station.

“This was exactly what I wanted to do,” Finfer said.

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On the rant:

Finfer was livid about receiving the news from Twitter, not de Castro, and exploded on the air.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t do a lot of thinking of what I would say,” Finfer said. “It was very surreal to find out that way. I probably could have said it with a bit more tact and nuance, but I don’t regret what I said.”

 

Tennessee-Jacksonville: Worst prime-time game ever?

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Throw out the records when these two teams meet.

Really. Please.

Tonight’s Tennessee-Jacksonville has to be the worst prime-time game ever. Both teams are 2-12.

I don’t have the official data, but I can’t imagine there’s ever been a prime-time game this late in the season with two teams combining for a 4-24 record.

The rules mandate that each team plays on Thursday night. And the NFL wants to keep these short-week games intra-division affairs to maximize traditional rivalries.

Voila, Tennessee-Jacksonville in a battle for No. 1. The No. 1 draft pick, that is.

Good luck to Jim Nantz and Phil Simms in making this game interesting.

 

 

Quenneville on ‘Road to Winter Classic’ debut: ‘Hey boys, I’m not (bleeping) happy’

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Blackhawks president John McDonough wanted authentic and he got it.

The debut of “Road to the NHL Winter Classic” on EPIX featured footage of Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville wearing out the F-word during their 4-3 victory over Montreal.

“Hey boys, pucks are going through us like we don’t give a (bleep),” Quenneville said.

Later, Quenneville let them know where they stood with him during a languid segment of the game. “Hey boys, I’m not (bleep-ing) happy, he said.

The raw language is a trademark of the “Road to the Winter Classic” series. The behind-the-scene films, airing on consecutive Tuesdays at 9 p.m. through Jan. 6, follows the Blackhawks and Washington Capitals before and during their outdoor game at Nationals Park on Jan. 1.

All told, the first show featured 31 expletives, according to Greg Wyshynski’s “Puck Daddy” column for Yahoo! Sports. Capitals coach Barry Trotz also unloads a few. Referee Paul Devorski even fired one back at a complaining Trotz, saying, “You were on the (bleep-ing) power play all night.”

The expletives, though, do help make the game footage the most riveting aspect of the show. EPIX’s cameras captured the aftermath of Jonathan Toews having his head slammed into the boards in Boston. Quenneville tells him he has to come out of the game to be examined for a concussion.

“You’ve got to do it, Jonny,” Quenneville said.

Away from the ice, there were several good moments. The cameras caught Toews dumping some of his sticks. “I can’t score (with them),” he said. “I’ve got to blame something. I can’t blame myself.”

Another segment has Blackhawks winger Bryan Bickell with his face swollen and badly bruised after a rough game. Showing a hockey player’s mentality, he says, “At least we won.”

Perhaps the most compelling segment was Trotz and his wife taking their son Nolan to the zoo. Trotz explains the challenges and joys of raising a son with Down’s Syndrome.

The show marked EPIX’s debut on the “Road to the Winter Classic” series. Previously, it had aired on HBO. That means HBO’s familiar and terrific voice for sports documentaries, Liev Schreiber, won’t be part of this series. New narrator Bill Camp tries to fill the void, but it’s not the same.

Indeed, there will be an adjustment period with the shift to EPIX. Since many viewers don’t get the relatively new premium channel, it will mean many of them will have to watch the series on their computers instead of big screen.

Still, the series definitely is worth watching. The shows typically pick up steam after the characters and storylines are established.

If you don’t have EPIX, you can watch the series on demand by signing up for a free trial at EPIX.com. The series also will air live on the NHL and teams’ sites.

Chicago news: Harrelson pumped up about White Sox moves; won’t cut back schedule

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Forget about Ken Harrelson working a reduced schedule of White Sox games in 2015. The team’s aggressive off-season has the veteran play-by-play man pumped up and ready to go the distance.

“(The moves) sort of convinced me,” said Harrelson, 73. “They said to check the schedule and see what games I wanted to do. I was looking (at missing some games). But now with this thing, it’s going to be a fun year.”

Harrelson had talking of cutting back to spend more time with his family; he now is a great grandfather. However, he couldn’t envision sitting at home watching games on TV, especially if the Sox live up to expectations.

“I know I’d miss being there,” Harrelson said. “It would be something I’d be sorry about. These opportunities don’t come every year. Next year will be my 40th in broadcasting and 56th in baseball. You put those numbers together and say, ‘Wait a minute, we’ve got a good club. Let’s watch them play.’”

Harrelson had high praise for Sox general manager Rick Hahn.

“Some people are surprised that he’s been so aggressive,” Harrelson said. “His persona is that he’s a laid-back guy. That’s the last thing he is. He’s done a terrific job.”

Is Gruden really done with coaching?

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Perhaps watching the terrible Jay Cutler validated Jon Gruden’s decision to re-up with ESPN through 2021. Who needs that headache?

Mike Tirico broke the news during halftime of Monday’s game. The deal means Gruden is out of coaching through ESPN’s current contract for “Monday Night Football.”

Technically, that means Gruden can’t coach again until 2022, when he will be 59. By then, he will have been away from the sidelines since 2008.

Sure, Gruden could return after a 14-year absence. Dick Vermeil did it and won a Super Bowl after a long side trip to the booth. But it seems unlikely.

It still seems hard to believe that given Gruden’s passion and intensity for the game, he will have coached his last game at the age of 45. Then again, John Madden called it a career at 41.

Gruden obviously knows he has a good thing at ESPN. Perhaps he also knows his limitations and that he will live a longer life without the immense stress of being a NFL head coach.

From ESPN’s perspective, the network wanted assurances that Gruden is all-in and committed to being in the booth on Monday nights. He probably earned a few extra bucks to take the coaching option off the table.

However, what if Gruden gets the itch in 2017? What if his dream opportunity arises? Would ESPN let him out of the deal?

You know, contracts are made to be broken.

ESPN, though, probably is going to hold Gruden to this deal. That’s why the language is in there. Clearly, he doesn’t want to be tempted either.

No more speculation on Gruden’s future until 2022. By then, he probably will sign a new deal to keep him in the booth.

Here’s the official release from ESPN.

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Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden has agreed to an extension with ESPN that will keep him on sports television’s signature series and out of coaching through the remainder of the company’s current NFL rights agreement, the 2021 NFL season. [Gruden discussed the extension during halftime of tonight’s Saints-Bears MNF game in Chicago.]

Since joining ESPN in May 2009, Gruden has teamed with play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico to help make MNF the most-watched series in cable television history. Gruden has earned four Sports Emmy Award nominations in the Best Analyst category while helping MNF earn four show nominations for Best Live Series.

Additionally, the Super Bowl-winning coach has been widely praised for his groundbreaking SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp series which has become a popular element of ESPN’s annual coverage in the lead-up to NFL Draft. Over the past five years, the in-depth, one-on-one interviews and film sessions have featured Gruden mentoring top quarterback prospects such as Andrew Luck, Johnny Manziel, Cam Newton and eventual Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson.

Gruden has also contributed to ESPN’s NFL Draft and Super Bowl week coverage, major college football bowl games and other platforms. Next month, he will be part of the MNF team that calls ESPN’s first-ever NFL Playoff game, as well as the NFL Pro Bowl (Jan. 25).

“Jon has been a game-changer for ESPN and for Monday Night Football, entertaining and engaging fans with his vast knowledge of the game and his dynamic personality,” said John Wildhack, ESPN executive vice president, programming and production. “Jon has quickly become one of the premier analysts in all of sports and we’re thrilled he’s made this long-term commitment. We look forward to having him as part of our NFL presentation for many years to come.”

Beyond his analyst role, Gruden has committed himself to giving back to the game through the FFCA, a Tampa-based football think-tank he founded in 2008. The organization plays an important role in youth development with a specific emphasis on supporting high school athletic programs. ESPN will continue to work with Gruden to support these initiatives.

“Being a part of Monday Night Football alongside our ESPN crew is a dream job,” said Gruden. “I love calling big prime-time games every week and spending time with the best players and coaches on the planet, while also finding new ways to teach and talk about football year round. There’s no place I’d rather be.”

Gruden served as an NFL head coach for 11 seasons with the Oakland Raiders (1998-2001) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-08). He compiled a career record of 100-85 and led his teams to five division titles. Gruden’s best season was 2002 when the Buccaneers finished the regular season 12-4 and captured the Super Bowl XXXVII title with a 48-21 victory over the Raiders, the team he had coached just one season earlier. At the time, the championship made then 38-year-old Gruden the youngest head coach ever to win a Super Bowl.

Gruden began his NFL coaching career in 1990 with the San Francisco 49ers as an assistant in charge of quality control. He quickly ascended through the ranks, also serving as the Green Bay Packers wide receivers coach (1992-94) and the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator (1995-97).

ESPN’s Monday Night crew obliterates Jay Cutler: ‘Whole nation witnessed what he is’

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It was open season on Jay Cutler Monday night.

It is hard to remember the last time ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” crew went after a player harder and with such intensity. Then again, the Bears quarterback gave them plenty of ammunition.

During the game, Jon Gruden showed his disgust on several occasions. He knew it was going to be an ugly evening early on.

“I don’t know what can happen next, but this is hard to watch,” Gruden said. “The Bears look chaotic and disorganized on offense.”

When the Bears went to the locker room trailing 14-0, Gruden said: “One of the most disappointing first halves I’ve seen from anybody in a long time.”

During the second half, Gruden saw enough, pleading with Marc Trestman to make a change.

“If I’m Marc Trestman, I’m going to take a look at Jimmy Clausen to see what I have here down the stretch. It’s just not happening for Cutler,” Gruden said.

The piling-on continued in ESPN’s postgame show. Steve Young, Ray Lewis and Trent Dilfer dissected Cutler. Here are some sound bites:

Young: “The whole nation witnessed what Jay is and what Jay could be.”

Lewis: “All the talent in the world. I don’t care how far he can throw the ball, how fast he can run…Who made the decision when you saw this guy, my future, the Chicago Bears future, I’m going to give this guy $100 million? And now I’m looking to shop the same guy?

“Who looked at this talent and said, ‘That’s the guy who can lead us to the Promised Land.’ Now we have to address who is bringing these people in?…I don’t know if Jay is proven. I never have seen him prove anything.”

Young: “(Coaches say) we can mold him. It’s like he’s the $6 million man. We can do this…There’s not enough guys to bring in (to replace Cutler). That’s why Jay keeps hanging around. There’s not enough alternatives.”

Dilfer: “He keeps hanging around because the league still is enamored with their old-school quarterback evaluation of height, weight, arm strength. It creates this long leash for this guy. It creates this wow factor. You go, ‘Oh my God, if I can get him to do that, I can get the best quarterback in the league.’”

Lewis: “A leader is born from the heart. Leaders don’t lead from talent. When you watch him, there’s nothing that speaks leadership. There’s no way he is the leader of this team….You don’t duck your head every time you throw an incomplete pass. If I’m going down with the ship, I’m not going down like that.”

Young: “It’s maddening because you know it’s in him.”

 

 

 

Sneak previews of “Road to Winter Classic”: Rough night for Bryan Bickell; Barry Trotz’s trip to zoo with son

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Here are a couple of clips to put you in the mood for the “Road to the Winter Classic” series, which debuts tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET on EPIX.

Bryan Bickell shows the results of a hard night at the office.

Barry Trotz takes his son to the zoo.

EPIX, a premium channel that debuted in 2009, is available in 50 million homes. However, since EPIX isn’t offered by several carriers, including Comcast, the largest distributor in the Chicago area, the series also will air online on the NHL, Blackhawks and EPIX sites to reach a wider audience.