Perception issue: Tribune ownership of Cubs primer for Red Sox’s Henry owning Boston Globe

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In my latest column for the National Sports Journalism Center site at Indiana University, I look at what is in store for the Boston Globe sports staff in the wake of Red Sox owner John Henry purchasing the paper. I write from my experience at the Chicago Tribune during its ownership of the Cubs.

Here are some excerpts:

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Upon hearing the news that Red Sox owner John Henry plans to buy the Boston Globe, I reflected back to the first time when I directly encountered the issue of the Tribune Co. owning the Cubs.

In the winter of 1987, as the Chicago Tribune’s beat writer for the White Sox, I joined manager Jim Fregosi and a few players for a caravan through Central Illinois. Nothing like Peoria in February.

Fregosi was doing a Q/A for a group when someone asked, “Why does the Tribune favor the Cubs over the White Sox?”

Fregosi, one of my all-time favorite guys in 32 years covering the sports, knew he had just been served a hanging slider. Turning in my direction, with a very mischievous grin on his face, he said, “Yes, Ed Sherman, tell us why the Tribune favors the Cubs over the Sox?”

Now Fregosi wasn’t trying to make a point; he never complained about the Trib’s coverage as it related to the Cubs. Rather, he enjoyed putting me on the spot and watching me squirm.

I tried to plead my case, saying the Tribune, not the Sun-Times, had made the trip on this cold winter night. I insisted there wasn’t any pro-Cubs bias in the sports department and the Sox got a fair shake in terms of coverage.

The Sox fans in Peoria didn’t want to hear it, responding to my response with a collection of non-believing groans. I’m fairly sure it made Fregosi’s night.

It was the first time I had to deal with the perception issue between the Tribune Co. and Cubs. And it wouldn’t be the last.

The sports staff of the Boston Globe is bracing for a new day when Henry officially takes over ownership of the paper. Several writers voiced their apprehension in an article that ran over the weekend in The New York Times.

“This was the last circumstance anyone would want,” said longtime column Bob Ryan, who still works as a contributor to the Globe. “It’s nothing anyone would wish. It’s scary, to say the least, for all involved.”

Indeed, it is difficult to think of a larger conflict of interest. Not even if the Mayor of Boston bought the Globe because the Red Sox are much bigger in the Hub. From this point forward, the Globe now will be covering the team owned by the paper’s owner.

Welcome to our world, Boston.

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I worked as an associate sports editor for the Tribune during a period in the 90s. If anything, my recollection is that we almost bent over backwards to give the Sox better play over the Cubs at times.

When I would hear about a Cubs bias, I used to tell people that the Tribune sports desk had many more Sox fans than Cubs fans. I was among a South Sider legion that included Bob Vanderberg, who continues to write books about the Sox. We all have fond memories of Dan Moulton, a cranky but beloved character nearly popping a vein after a Sox reliever blew a save.

Yet despite my protestations, people always thought the Tribune was in the bag for the Cubs. The paper owned the team. Hence, whenever the Cubs won (rarely, I might add during the Tribune‘s main ownership tenure), the newsroom surely exploded in a chorus of  “Go, Cubs, Go…”

No matter what you say, people are going to believe what they want to believe. Perception easily was the biggest issue the Tribune sports staff encountered when it was the main owner of the Cubs.

The perception wasn’t just limited to fans. Malcolm Moran, director of the National Sports Journalism Center, recalled he had questions when he left The New York Times to join the Tribune during the 90s.

“When I started at the Tribune, I had to sign a series of documents, many of which related to ethical requirements,” Moran said.  “As I signed one after the other, I remember thinking, ‘You own the Cubs, and you’re telling me about ethics?’ There is a fine line between a conflict of interest and a perceived conflict, and both are dangerous. I never saw any evidence of favoritism. But I did wonder, in that tainted home run summer of 1998, whether the assignment of writing about Sammy Sosa’s hop was the result of a corporate agenda.”

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And there’s more. Here’s the link to the entire column.

 

 

Peter Kostis won’t be at PGA Championship; recovery “going well” from colon cancer

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The bad news is that Peter Kostis won’t be part of CBS and TNT’s coverage of the PGA Championship this week. The good news is that his recovery is “going well” from surgery for colon cancer in June, according to CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus.

Kostis, not wanting to miss a major, had hoped to be back for the PGA. However, McManus said he isn’t ready just yet.

“We’re going to miss him. He’s an important part of our coverage,” McManus said. “But as I said to Peter numerous times: ‘There will be other PGA Championships. The important thing is for you to get healthy and whole so you can continue your career at CBS Sports.’

“He will be back soon. All systems look like they are going in a positive direction.”

When Kostis went public with his condition, he issued a statement that included this sound advice:

“I am currently home recovering from successful surgery for colon cancer. It was detected early during a regular physical and colonoscopy. My great team of doctors in Phoenix will be putting me through preventative chemotherapy. Because of early detection the prognosis for a full recovery is excellent. I had zero symptoms or family history. I urge everyone, if you are over 50 get a regular colonoscopy exam whether you think you need one or not.”

Definitely a good idea if you fall in that category.

 

 

 

Nearly as many people watched Hall of Fame Game as MLB All-Star Game

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This is staggering when you consider that the vast majority of players in the Hall of Fame Game never will see a down of action during the regular season.

From Sports Media Watch:

Sunday’s Cowboys/Dolphins NFL Hall of Fame Game earned a 6.2 final rating and 10.1 million viewers on NBC, up 417% in ratings and 413% in viewership from Saints/Cardinals on NFL Network last year (1.2, 2.0M), but down 9% and 11%, respectively, from Cowboys/Bengals on NBC in 2010 (6.8, 11.3M).

Meanwhile, the All-Star Game, baseball’s marquee event, did a 6.9 rating with an estimated 11 million viewers tuning in.

There was this from SMW:

Among adults 18-49, Sunday’s game drew a 3.8 rating — up 322% from last year’s game on NFL Network (0.9), but down 10% from the 2010 game on NBC (4.2). The 3.8 rating is the highest in the demo for any television program since the NBA Finals in June, topping the MLB All-Star Game on FOX (3.2).

What does it mean? The ratings show the massive popularity for the NFL knows no bounds. Not so much for baseball.

 

 

 

Change-up: Cubs player interviews departing beat reporter

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One of the great guys in the business, or any business, Paul Sullivan, is leaving the Cubs beat at the Chicago Tribune. His long tenure eclipsed the definition of cruel and unusual punishment when it came to being subjected to bad baseball on almost a daily basis.

The good news for Sullivan fans is that he will be doing enterprise reporting on the Cubs and White Sox for his new assignment.

In a twist, Cubs second-baseman Darwin Barney performed the exit interview with Sullivan prior to his last game Sunday:

DB: Are you still at the Sun-Times after this? What’s the title of your new job?

PS: I’m at the Tribune. My title is Chicago baseball writer.

DB: So you’re going to the dark side? The Tribune side? Hey, what’s up, Hanley?

Hanley Ramirez: “Barneeeeey …”

DB: Sorry. So this is almost like getting traded from the Cubs to the White Sox?

PS: Yeah, it’s going to be a big adjustment, but I’m very excited about it.

And there was this:

DB: That’s your fondest memory?

PS: No. actually my favorite moment was during the playoffs in ’84 when I climbed a tree out there (on Waveland Avenue) to interview someone watching the game in the tree. My press pass fell down and a guy picked it up and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it here for you when I get down. Can you get me in with you?” I said, “I’ll be down in a minute.” I get down and he was gone with my press pass and got into the park.

DB: So you’re saying you climbed a tree in the ’80s to do an interview?

PS: Yes. People were in the trees watching the game. This was before all the rooftops got big.

Good luck, Paulie.

 

 

Nine for IX documentaries should be appointment viewing; tonight’s film is on Katarina Witt

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The latest in ESPN’s excellent Nine for IX documentaries is The Diplomat (Tuesday, 8 p.m.).

From ESPN:

Known as “the most beautiful face of socialism” Katarina Witt’s success gave her a unique status in East Germany. It also triggered constant surveillance by the Stasi, East Germany’s notorious secret police force. This film chronicles how Witt, one of the greatest skaters of all time, fought for her future in socialist East Germany, how she faced the great changes that occurred after the fall of The Berlin Wall and, ultimately, how she ended up both a beneficiary and victim of the East German regime.

Last week, Austin Karp of Sports Business Daily ran the following item:

ESPN averaged 377,000 viewers for the premieres of the first four “Nine for IX” documentaries. The top audience remains the first premiere, which was “Venus Vs” on July 2 with 460,000 viewers. Since the start of “30 for 30” in October ‘09, the four “Nine for IX” films would rank as four of the five least-viewed documentary premieres on ESPN.

For starters, these films are airing in the summer, when TV audiences are traditionally lower than in the fall, winter and spring, when the bulk of the 30 for 30 films air.

However, I am sure there is going to be the perception that fewer people are tuning in because this series is about women. That would be unfortunate.

These films are outstanding. They definitely should be appointment viewing for everybody. And that goes double if you have young daughters.

There aren’t many films that highlight women in sports, especially for nine straight weeks. In fact, they go beyond sports. They are history lessons, documenting in many cases the challenges women have encountered through the years. In the process, many of them have become important role models.

ESPN should be lauded for investing considerable time and money into this initiative. Just like the 30 for 30 concept, which was supposed to be a one-time deal, hopefully, Nine for IX will continue past this year.

 

 

 

Of course we watched: ARod’s freak show pulls in big ratings in New York, Chicago

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We were eating dinner last night with the TV on, something my wife hates.

“I want to see ARod’s first at bat,” I tried to explain.

“Why do you care? He’s a cheater,” she replied.

For better and mostly worse, I explained it might have been the most significant moment of the season. And I wasn’t alone.

In the no-surprise department, the Alex Rodriguez show delivered a season-high 4.34 rating for a Yankees game on the YES Network. At its peak, from 8:30-8:45 p.m., coinciding with his first at bat (cheap bloop single), an estimated 756,000 New York households were tuned into the game.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, where ratings have plummeted for the woeful White Sox, the game did a 3.09 rating on CSN Chicago, the second highest of the season after the season opener. The game peaked at a 4.37 rating during the 7:30 p.m. quarter-hour (approximately 152,286 Chicago TV homes tuning in for A-Rod’s first at bat).

As much as he is detested, people love to watch a good villain. And they don’t come any bigger now than ARod.

 

 

 

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Update: Erin Andrews will join Buck-Aikman team from Thanksgiving game through Super Bowl

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Update:

Fox Sports vice-president for communications Dan Bell checked in on Erin Andrews’ role as a sideline reporter on NFL games this year. Earlier today, I mentioned that she was working on the No. 4 team. I made that assumption since that team was listed fourth on the Fox release.

Bell said that isn’t the case. In an email, he said:

“Erin is not working on the #4 crew. Her crew to start the season is one of our top crews. There is the A crew of Buck, Aikman and Oliver then five other crews contending for a postseason slot. Erin will also join the top crew starting with our Thanksgiving Day game through the Super Bowl.”

That makes more sense considering Fox Sports hired Andrews to serve on its high-profile events.

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Indeed, it will be a busy fall for Andrews.

After hosting the revamped Fox College Saturday pregame show on Fox Sports 1 on Saturday mornings, Andrews then will head to an NFL game on Sunday.

Fox’s NFL lineup for 2013 has Andrews working with Kevin Burkhardt, a new addition, and John Lynch.

Here’s the complete lineup for Fox. Note the addition of Ronde Barber, who will work with Dick Stockton:

Joe Buck, Troy Aikman & Pam Oliver

Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Laura Okmin

Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch & Erin Andrews

Chris Myers, Tim Ryan & Jennifer Hale

Dick Stockton, Ronde Barber & Kris Budden

Sam Rosen, Heath Evans & Molly McGrath

ESPN has to credit Fox Sports for initial report on suspensions

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ESPN has been dominating this story. T.J. Quinn and others have been doing terrific reporting the latest twists and turns.

So it was a bit stunning to see SportsCenter having to credit Fox Sports when the news finally broke a few minutes ago.

ESPN had Fox Sports on its crawl for several minutes before it was changed to “ESPN and media reports.”

You can be sure the execs at Fox Sports savored those moments.

 

Hearing from all my new NASCAR friends: ‘Did you write that with one or two pinkies in the air?’

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I knew I was stepping into it when I wrote a post about NASCAR last week.

For those who missed it, I wrote:

I don’t know anybody who watches NASCAR. Nobody. I never have had a friend or acquaintance say, “Did you see that race on Sunday?”

That’s why it is staggering to me that NASCAR’s new TV deals with NBC and Fox will be worth $8.2 billion. That $820 million per year, beginning in 2015.

Again, if two networks would be willing to shell out $8.2 billion for a sport, you would think I would know at least one person who watches it on a regular basis. And I know a lot of people.

A large part of this is due to the fact that I live in Chicago, not exactly a hotbed for NASCAR.

I wrote that I realize there are millions of NASCAR fans who tune into the races on a regular basis. To clarify: I KNOW PEOPLE WATCH NASCAR.

It just struck me as odd that I don’t know somebody in that group, especially given the huge dollars shelled out by NBC and Fox Sports.

Naturally, I heard from many NASCAR supporters who took offensive to what I wrote. Or at least what I tweeted about the post. Not sure how many of them actually read the whole thing.

Anyway, a few of them were entertaining. I thought I would share:

@zman6987:  I am Canadian and I watch and also attend races. So is canada part of the south?

@DJstatman482454: It’s just not for weird people from cities….. Do some research before you talk next time dude…

@psl1999nascar: Wow, Ed. Did you write that with one or two pinkies in the air???

@Jr88kyle: get out from under that rock u IDIOT! Go watch baseball and get 14min of action in 3hr game,maybe that’s more ur style!

@bungajane7: Big Nascar Fan, Chicago Gal, You have Tunnel Vision. #Gofast

@jharper1972: I don’t know anyone who watches soccer, but I know there is a world outside of my inner circle

@Cowboy_Witch: Maybe @Sherman_Report was better off keeping his yap shut; I wouldn’t have known how ignorant he is otherwise. #NASCAR

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And special thanks to @TheOrangeCone for several tweets on my post:

well to be fair, nothing good like beer or motorcycles or baseball comes from WI. Sherm wins again.

******

Anyway, thanks to all for sounding off. I’m off to watch some golf.

 

 

Bob Ryan on Red Sox owner buying Boston Globe: ‘It’s scary for all’

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Dan Shaughnessy had this opener to a notes column Saturday:

Picked-up pieces while reminding all of you that John Henry’s greatness has been vastly underappreciated.

Ah yes, it is a new day for Shaughnessy and the Boston Globe sports staff upon the news that Red Sox owner John Henry is buying the paper. And think about this: Henry spent more on signing on one player, Dustin Pedroia ($100 million), than he did to purchase one of the top publications in the country ($70 million). And unlike Pedroia’s contract, the Globe deal doesn’t expire in seven years.

If that isn’t a sobering statement about the state of newspapers, nothing is.

Naturally, Globe sports staffers aren’t thrilled about the situation. The New York Times’ Peter May got their reaction over the weekend.

“This was the last circumstance anyone would want,” Ryan said Saturday of Henry’s purchase of The Globe and other media properties from The New York Times Company for $70 million. “It’s nothing anyone would wish. It’s scary, to say the least, for all involved.”

This is what scares Ryan:

The team’s stunning collapse in September 2011 was followed by a Globe investigative piece by Bob Hohler, revealing that pitchers John Lackey, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester had been eating fried chicken and drinking beer in the clubhouse during games. Hohler also wrote that management had concerns that Francona’s deteriorating marriage and his use of painkillers may have affected his performance.

In a radio interview at the time, Henry said of the article, “It’s reprehensible that it was written about in the first place.”

Henry would now be in a position to kill such an article, which concerns Ryan, who retired from The Globe in 2012 but who has a verbal agreement to write up to 40 columns in 2013.

“Anyone in this situation has to look at it with a great deal of trepidation,” Ryan said. “It’s uncomfortable and it puts the Globe sports department, especially the Red Sox writers, in a potentially uncompromising position.”

Then there was this from Shaughnessy:

Dan Shaughnessy, The Globe’s lead sports columnist, has written critically about Henry since he became the principal owner of the Red Sox in 2002.

“There’s an inherent conflict of interest which no one can do anything about,” Shaughnessy said. “All we can hope for is that everyone is allowed to do his job professionally and that we are able to keep our independence.”

Shaughnessy and the former Red Sox manager Terry Francona wrote a book, “Francona: The Red Sox Years,” which detailed Francona’s ugly exit from the team after its collapse in September 2011. The book was highly critical of the Red Sox ownership group, and Shaughnessy said it was “not exactly a party-starter” for Henry.

Globe sports editor Joe Sullivan hopes it will be business as usual with the new owner:

“We don’t know what the new situation is going to be in terms of hierarchy, but I would hope to be able to continue to cover the Red Sox the way we always have, “ the sports editor, Joe Sullivan, said.

Good luck, Joe, Bob and Dan.

Check back for more of my views on this development. After all, I used to work at the Chicago Tribune, which to own majority interest in a certain baseball team.