Money Players

Steve Rushin leaving Sports Illustrated

Steve Rushin is ending his 19-year run at Sports Illustrated. He will be missed. At least two other SI writers have been reportedly been let go. These departures appear to be part of a larger trend by SI to rid itself of much of its breathable "Air and Space" and turn the magazine over to a higher power: swimsuit models.

Of course, a picture of a scantily clad woman tells a 1000 words. By that word count, Rick Reilly better up his game.

I don't have a problem with magazines that show (tasteful) photos of beautiful woman, but leave it to the pros (Maxim, FHM, etc.). Sports Illustrated is Axe-ing readers to accept bread and circus over good writing. No subtlety here: "Spray more. Get more."

So goodbye Steve Rushin. Get ready for more Jenn Sterger. The title "Air and Space" remains appropriate, although now good writing will be replaced by gobs of silicon.

 

Additional reading
NBCSports.com's John Walters fond farewell to Rushin
Chicago Tribune's Teddy Greenstein on Rushin

2/26 UPDATE: The Big Lead's post mortem on Rushin and SI

Hating (and loving) Tim Hardaway

By Marc Isenberg

Last week John Amaechi announced, er published, he is gay. This turned out to be a spot check for our nation to see if we're okay with the subject of homosexuality. Most passed. A few were stupid enough to express their true feelings. Tim Hardaway let it be known: "I HATE GAY PEOPLE."

There are places in our society, unfortunately, where comments like this are still acceptable..like at a KKK rally, for example...assuming Tim kept his hood on. Of course, Dave Chappelle, who reappeared courtside at last night's NBA's All-Star Game, already did this bit.

Hardaway apparently never saw the connection between hatred of gays and African Americans. Blacks were banned from many professional sports leagues and denied entrance into many schools simply because of the color of their skin. Now Hardaway would like to impose a similar ban on gays. Hardaway should be reminded that every million that he ever earned in his NBA career is the direct result of our society coming to its senses that equality and tolerance mattered.

Related articles

Hardaway has offered his apologies.
David Zirin on reactions to Amaechi.
Mitch Albom on homophobic locker rooms.

UPDATE: ESPN.com columnist Mary Buckheit writes her "coming out" column, even if she swore she never would.

This is a University of Arizona and Tim Hardaway fan.
Guess he felt safe that no one would clock him.

Be Like Mike and Thabo

Last week I chalked up  negative comments made by Ty Thomas regarding his participation in this weekend's NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie mistake. Sam Smith, famed Chicago Tribune NBA writer and author of The Jordan Rules, has observed Thomas first hand and offers a different opinion.

"[Thomas] has been often rude and condescending to the team's staff and the NBA. He often acts like he has little time or interest for anyone but himself...[H]ere was a player appearing to confirm just what many believe, that the NBA is composed of a wandering band of ungrateful thugs who are selfish, spoiled brats just in it for the riches they can gain. My experience over the last quarter-century is that is not true, that the vast majority of players, despite the occasional Rasheed-ish or Fortson-esque outburst, are decent people who truly appreciate and treasure the game."

Smith then tells the story about Bulls rookie Thabo Sefolosha, whom Smith descibes as "a wonderful young man."

"After games, the players are ripping off tape and dirty clothes, tossing them into a big basket or tub for good-natured equipment man John Ligmanowski to dispose of or clean. Despite the fact they are supposed to be some of the best marksmen in the world, Ben Wallace excluded, the clothes and tape rarely seem to hit their mark. Everyone gets up and leaves. But Sefolosha went over to pick up his clothes or litter and deposit them where they belong. He apparently didn't want to make more work for Ligmanowski."

Should Sefolosha ever find himself involved in any kind of controversy, the media will, I am sure, give him the benefit of doubt, rather than presume immediate guilt.

The media's job is to report. But before they report, they observe. Writes Smith:

"This is one of those things you hear at parties from reporters, the stuff we don't write. See, we are not as bad as advertised. In fact, we try to write about the games and try not to embarrass the players. We really are more guilty of romanticizing the players than tearing them down."

For the love of money

By Marc Isenberg

Chicago Bull rookie Tyrus Thomas was fined $10,000 by management for making insensitive remarks about

A) Jews
B) Homosexuals
C) People in Louisiana who talk funny
D) The NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest

Answer is of course D.

Here's what Thomas said:

"I'm just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day." He added, "I'm just into the free money. That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there."

Does that qualify as inappropriate?

Bulls GM John Paxson (My absolute favorite Bulls GM in the last 20 years) thinks so.

"This fine is an appropriate response to the remarks Tyrus made concerning his participation in the slam dunk contest. It is a poor reflection on Tyrus individually and a poor reflection on the Bulls organization, and I am certainly disappointed. The league office has chosen Tyrus to participate in one of its All-Star events and that is an honor that should be accepted with humility. I spoke to Tyrus this morning and am confident he understands that he made a mistake with his words and that he also understands the importance of representing the Bulls and the NBA in a positive way."

Using this standard, imagine how much Michael Jordan would have been fined when he originally refused to wear the Reebok sweats at the 1992 Olympics -- and the tongue lashing Jerry Krause would have given. (Actually, imagine silence.)

It is important for players and management to publicly support All Star Weekend, including the dunkfest. That often means speaking in cliches that come directly from The Approved Script for Professional Athletes. In Ty Thomas's case, I don't see anything wrong with declaring that he is motivated to participate by money. Thomas shouldn't have made these comments to the media, but the offense hardly seems worthy of a public scolding and $10,000 fine. Thomas should probably pay it and move on.

NBA Slam Dunk "Contest" or entertainment
This is not a contest, especially since it's judged by celebrities. No one should get that worked up over this, including management, basketball purists, and media. The Slam Dunk Contest is for fans, mostly kids, who want to be entertained. Not that a Slam Dunk Contest is all that entertaining. Dunks we see today are all derivative of something already done by Michael, 'Nique, or Doctor J. Doesn't  matter. We still watch, just like we celebrate Christmas (technically I don't) even after we learn that Santa really doesn't come down the chimney.

© 2007 Marc Isenberg. All rights reserved.

Deconstructing Nick Saban's "off the record" remarks

By Marc Isenberg

Nick Saban made a racially insensitive remark to a reporter. It was far from worst racial comment ever made, but still a stupid comment. I was going to let this pass without comment, until he tried to apologize.

For starters, listen to Saban's remarks.

I think it's a great case study for athletes and others when it comes to dealing with the media, making "off the record" comments, and issuing public apologies. It should be common sense, but let's review.

"Off the record" is dicey
It's generally not smart for high profile people to make insensitive remarks to reporters, even if just to repeat what someone else said, and then assume "off the record" is some kind of legally protected privilege.

"Off the record" is basically used by the media to corroborate a story or to provide background information. The anecdote told by Saban was clearly for entertainment purposes only.

Most athletes and coaches have been well trained to deal with the media. Too well. Show respect, show humility, use eye contact, say little.

Sorry, not sorry excuses
Now that the story (and the audio) is all over the Internet, Saban had to issue an apology. He said the word he used "can be taken as derogatory by some people."

By some people? Visualize a Venn diagram. According to Saban, not all people think "coonass" is derogatory. And these people (including the one who has Saban on speed dial) are qualified to decide what is and what isn't acceptable? Saban is a little slow getting started with his apology. Onward.

Saban continues: "Those comments need to be placed in the proper context, so as to understand the meaning of what was said. The words were used in paraphrasing a story told to me by a friend. I was simply using the same wording used by the person who told me the story."

This is the Brady Bunch defense. It's not me who has the problem, it's my good friend...who happens to be a LSU trustee...who takes time out of his busy schedule to tell the story equating Saban taking the Alabama job to a wife "f&%$#ing" another man. Ironic that the story is about a man who digs ditches.

And finally:

"The term in question is not language that I use or condone, and I can understand how some would take offense. However, I think it must be noted that those comments were made 'off the record' and the words merely reflected an anecdote that was told to me using that language."

So the reporter is at fault for publishing the tapes? Blaming the media is never a good defense.

In my upcoming book, Money Players: A Pro Athlete's Guide to Success in Sports, Business, & Life, I have a chapter that offers advice when it comes to dealing with the media. I asked athletes and journalists to tell short anecdotes. My favorite is from Fred Claire, former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager:

"One time, there was something written about our team which I thought was completely unfair. My first reaction was to respond immediately in order set the record straight. But Walter [O’Malley, then owner of the Dodgers] stopped me. He did not want me to get involved in things which ultimately had no bearing on our team and its performance. His line, which I’ve repeated often, was, 'Don’t argue with people who buy ink by the barrel.' Stay focused on your objectives. Ultimately, you’ll be judged by your accomplishments or lack of accomplishments, but don’t let the media determine your fate."

Saban should just take responsibility, say he's sorry, and be quiet.

(UPDATE: Miami Herald reporter apologizes for sharing recording.)

© 2007 Marc Isenberg. All rights reserved.

Sportswriters for Freedom of the Press

My (soon-to-be) father-in-law is Art Spander, a long-time Bay Area sportswriter. Last week he wrote about the trial of San Franscisco Chronicle's Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, the guys who broke the BALCO scandal, who now face 18 months in jail for "refusing to testify who leaked them the grand jury testimony on Bonds, Jason Giambi and the other jocks."

A group of well-respected sports writers, including Art, protested in support of Fainaru-Wada and Williams, wearing tshirts outside the court house that read, "Sportswriters for Freedom of the Press."

The protest was organized by Rick Telander. When I lived in Chicago I used to play basketball with Rick. He had a great influence on me, particularly when I first started writing about issues related to sports. He currently writes for the Chicago Sun Times and is author of several sports books, including The Hundred Yard Lie, an amazing book that challenges many of the myths of intercollegiate athletics.

For more information on Art's writing career and freedom of the press, read a feature on him in Sportsmediaguide.com, a website that explores the "art and craft of sports coverage."