From SBNation.com and ESPN.com
Analysis by Chris Huffman in SRM 334 (section 2)
For our current event we decided to talk about athletes using steroids; mostly about baseball players using them. Steroids have been a highly talked about subject in the MLB because of various reasons. Players feel that they are too small or do not have the natural athletic ability to compete with the top players in baseball today.
Two of the most recent baseball players that have been caught using steroids are Yankees third basemen, Alex Rodriguez, and the Brewers leftfielder, Ryan Braun. Both started out denying they had ever used steroids or any illegal substances that are banned by the MLB. Later both of them were found guilty and faced suspensions during the season this year.
I believe that our media portrays both of them as lying and cheating the game of baseball because they both denied using illegal substances by the MLB and were later found guilty. I think that if they would have came clean at the beginning then it would not have blown up like it did. People would have been more forgiving about the mistakes they both have made and might of gotten off with a lighter suspension as well.
This article is relevant to the course because of how it was all over sports center as well as twitter too. Many people voiced their opinions about the suspensions and about how they felt about them taking banned substances. In the video on youtube the woman reporter talks about how parents are tired of worrying about their kids being introduced to things like this. They believe that their children are going to start thinking they have to take substances in order to receive a college scholarship or in order to make it professionally in sports, which scares the parents because of the harm it can do to their children’s body.I believe if the MLB and all leagues around the world made a stricter policy, for example, instead of giving athletes three chances, they should only give them one or two at the most. I believe this because it is taking away the integrity of the game and eventually people are going to get so tired of it they will stop watching sports because they will believe it has become a scam.
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Analysis by Titus Till in SRM 334 (section 2)
Steroid use by professional athletes has been an issue within professional sports leagues such as the MLB and NFL. This problem has tarnished the names of some of the most decorated athletes in recent years. Particularly, one of the most recent cases is the scandal that the New York Yankees all-star, Alex Rodriguez, is involved in. A-rod is currently in the process of appealing his 211-game suspension that resulted from his alleged involvement with the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis. Another similar case involves the Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun who recently was suspended for the remainder of the season without pay. The suspension will withhold Braun from 65 games and it is estimated that he will lose $3.25 million as a result.
The use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs within professional baseball may have been a life saver for the MLB. Before the steroids era, baseball was losing fans at a rapid pace and the league was close to being extinct. When big names such as Mark Mcwire and Sammy Sosa came along and began to put up outstanding numbers and perform above and beyond the expectations of a professional athletes fans began to come back to baseball and sell out stadiums to watch these amazing athletes to perform. After many years of excelling in hitting home-runs, these players were found to be guilty of using steroids. This brought so much media attention to this problem and since then, reporters cannot wait to get their hands on a juicy story such as the Alex Rodriquez or Ryan Braun situation.
In the NFL, there are not as many cases around the league where you will find players using performance enhancing drugs or steroids but that does not mean they aren’t out there. The NFL has a policy that gives a 30 day suspension for the first offense of banned substances and a 1-year suspension for the second offense. The third offense is unknown due to the fact that no one has ever failed 3 drug test in the NFL. This is an issue that is relevant to this course because it is a very scandalous and news-worthy story when a professional athlete caught using performance enhancing drugs. The media has used this issue to bring the MLB back to life after almost going into extinction. Athletes that have used steroids in the past were able to do things unfathomable to the rest of the world and they may not have been able to do it without steroids.
From Metro
Analysis by Kevin Barr in SRM 334 (section 1)
The article I read was released by Metro which is an online publication. The article discusses the recent surge for the Redskins to change their name due to the fact that the team’s mascot is actually an offensive slur towards Native Americans. The article shared opinions and quotes of multiple notable news sources such as ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and the Washington Post. The entire article had varying opinions about why they think the Redskins should change their names, but all had come to the same conclusion that a name change should be imminent. It also described a poll of Native Americans trying to seek out how they felt about the name and the results varied from year to year making the evidence inconclusive.
The media is whole heartedly attacking the Redskins organization. I believe it has a lot to do with the big media outlets attempting to be politically correct. The major news outlets know the difference between getting the best ratings and coming off as respectful and politically correct. I am sure producers and editors are forcing their particular media journalists and analysts to give off the most nationally accepted opinion when it comes to serious topics such as offensive slurs. We have learned in class how the media has evolved over the past century. The media no longer controls everything that is put out, but when they do publicize something, they must be wary of the consequences of that particular action. This directly relates to the Redskins name change conversation because it doesn’t seem possible for a news source to vocalize their opinion on this topic unless it would please the masses overall.
Based on research and statistics I found while doing this current event project, I learned that the average fan and the media had completely opposite opinions of the name change decision. I realized that because fans now have the majority of the power in the media due to their seemingly limitless access to social media and blog spots. Everyone is able to put out their opinions without being put under the microscope unlike major news outlets that have consistent pressure to say the “right” thing.
The media is constantly becoming more wide open in today’s world and it gives the outside public an opportunity to be involved. Social Media and debate TV shows are leading the way in this opinionated society and I see no sign of this new era media stride slowing down.
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Analysis by Will Pompa in SRM 334 (section 1)
The Washington Redskins name was established in 1933 starting what is said to be one of the most recognizable and followed franchises in professional sports. According to the Metro sports section article “NFL of a Controversy” the Redskins name is a racial slur towards Native Americans. Many Native Americans have protested for a name change since the Redskins name is derogatory towards their culture. Starting in 1993 when the Redskins were in the Super Bowl, Native American tribes expressed their discontent with the name and it has spread like a wild fire by means of the media ever since.
“NFL of a Controversy” article has shown that the Native Americans would like the Redskins to change their name but the Redskins are opposed to doing so. Daniel Snyder stated “We’ll never change the name. NEVER—you can use caps.” The article showed that the Redskins organization and those who are tied to the organization in some way are against changing the name. Those that are not tied to the organization emotionally or financially such as the media have a different view. For the most part the media wants the Redskins to change their name. Ever since the Native Americans brought the idea of a name change to the media in 1993 the media has coincided with the Native Americans to bring about a name change. This controversy creates great story material for the media which in turn shows why the media would be pushing for something to change in the NFL.
The media has to be politically correct. They are presenting their material to all types of audiences and being politically correct will please the majority of readers. The media views the Redskins name as a racial slur because they have to be politically correct and professional with their views on not only sports news but political news as well. This story is no longer just a local sports story. This is a story that local media outlets have brought from a small controversy to a national political debate with even President Obama weighing in with his opinion. With the help of the media the Native Americans have been able to voice their opinions and have very powerful people in the United States take their side on the name change controversy. After reading this article I was able to connect what I have learned from class to this ongoing controversy. The media is a powerful tool today (the new model of media) as it connects to many different audiences. All types of people with many different views are able to use social media, blogs and other media forms to voice their opinions. The Redskins are feeling extra pressure to change the name because of the ability of the public to interact and voice their opinions. The power of the media is driving this story. It developed from a local controversy to a national debate by means of the media developing the story, asking the Redskins organization questions, informing the general public about the meaning of the Redskins name and persuading them to join the side of the media and Native Americans to cause a change in sports. As long as there is change there will be a subject for the media to report and write about for the public’s interest.
Job Opening | Fantasy Sports Marketing and Social Media Intern
About Draft Gods
Draft Gods is a start up company based in the world of Daily Fantasy Sports. It's a membership based website where members can create fantasy teams on a daily and/or weekly basis. Draft Gods recently secured it's first investment and it's membership base is growing rapidly. To learn more see www.DraftGods.com.
Responsibilities
1) Creating and maintaining client contact lists
2) Development and execution of marketing and social media strategy
3) Marketing efforts to attract new customers and clients
4) Fantasy sports social media marketing via Facebook, Twitter and other social media tools
5) Development of press releases, fantasy sports site pages, newsletters, fantasy games blogs, and sports articles
6) SEO Optimization and Guerrilla marketing efforts
Skills
1) Excellent people skills prior marketing experience a plus
2) Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
3) Excellent computer skills including Word, Excel and Google Docs
4) Very reliable and can work independently in a remote location
5) Highly motivated and energetic
6) Must be able to multi-task and learn quickly
7) Knowledge of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter
8) Knowledge of sports and fantasy sports a must
Notes
The Fantasy Sports Marketing and Social Media position is an unpaid position, although there is absolutely the possibility of coming on full-time when the internship is over. All jobs at Draft Gods have the benefits of being able to work remotely from your home and the hours are very flexible. Please send a cover letter and resume to jon@draftgods.com.
