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.
From Sports Illustrated
Analysis by Patrick Gotimer in SRM 435 (section 1)
Johnny Manziel has been, is, and will continue to be the star of NCAA Football (at least until the NFL Draft).
Texas A&M is taking full advantage of the Heisman Trophy winner by using his face and name to increase the university’s visibility. In December 2012, the university already had a billboard in the infamous Times Square with a picture of Johnny along with the phrase “They call him Johnny Heisman.” (Rovell, 2012).
According to an August 22nd tweet by Reporter Darren Rovell, the fundraising department of Texas A&M Athletics raised $20,000 by auctioning off the right to sit with Manziel at dinner (Rovell, 2013).
The latest episode of “Johnny Mania” took place September 14th against the top-ranked Crimson Tide. The game that took place at Texas A&M’s home facility, Kyle Field, was a rematch of the 2012 game in which the Aggies upset Nick Saban’s powerhouse program.
While the game received and deserved national attention, it did not appear to be a rematch of Alabama and Texas A&M, rather the Crimson Tide versus Johnny Manziel and CBS is probably to blame for that.
CBS set aside a camera that would be strictly focused on Johnny Manziel. The goal of having Manziel always front and center was to catch any and everything Manziel did. Manziel has become so popular that CBS was obligated to set aside a camera for Manziel specifically. Mr. Football is not helping the situation either (Deitsch, 2013).
But all of the marketing attention of Johnny for Texas A&M and the NCAA is not positive. This is because the marketing attention he receives shows a good, well-behaved Manziel and the media attention shows anything but a well-behaved Manziel.
It may not seem fair but Manziel is under the microscope. Media is constantly following him so everything Manziel does is scrutinized.
In June of 2012, Johnny was arrested for disorderly conduct and possession of a fake ID. While this was pre-Heisman Trophy, it never would have surfaced had Manziel not become so popular.
A year later, Manziel made headlines for his off-field antics again after he used Twitter to post “Shit like tonight is a reason why I can’t wait to leave college station…whenever it may be.” He was responding to a parking ticket he received at Texas A&M but understandably, A&M doesn’t want their famous quarterback to be talking about leaving A&M as soon as possible (Newsday, 2013).
In January, Manziel was photographed with a bottle of alcohol. Under-age drinking happens consistently across the country and this actually was not the case; under-age persons can drink with consent of their parents if their parents are present and Mr. and Mrs. Manziel were at the club. Regardless, Johnny received a considerable amount of criticism for the photo.
Manziel was even ignorant enough to attend a University of Texas fraternity party. The University of Texas happens to be one of Texas A&M’s rivals and Manziel was easily recognized and escorted from the fraternity house while students threw beer at him (Newsday, 2013).
Lastly, and probably most notable was Manziel’s antics that showed during the Texas A&M opener. Manziel was suspended for the first half of the game versus Rice University for allegedly selling memorabilia he signed for a profit of $10,000 (Rovell, 2013). Once Manziel entered the game in the second half, he was quickly side lined for taunting a Rice defenseman after having already signaled at another Rice athlete that he would not sign an autograph for him.
Because of Manziel’s behavior, Peter King from Sports Illustrated issued this comment:
But Manziel, to many teams right now, would be undraftable because they’re scared of his mood swings and off-field questions. But it only takes one team out of 32 to fall for him. And some team will, unless he self-destructs between today and draft day (Daniels, 2013).While Johnny has the right to do what he wants, his actions will continue to be scrutinized if he is not careful which will hurt the reputation of Texas A&M, the NCAA, and himself.
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Analysis by Jacob Harris in SRM 435 (section 1)
The game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas A&M Aggies will be one of the most watched college football events of the year. CBS, who has ties with the SEC will be making its first television appearance of the 2013 football season with this huge game. CBS will be adding an extra camera to solely focus on Johnny Manziel, which they will call the Johnny Cam. No matter what is going in this game, whether Johnny is playing or is drinking Gatorade on the bench, this camera will solely focus on him, and him only. Craig Silver, coordinating producer of college football for CBS Sports, said that this camera will not be a distraction to the purpose of the game. Silver claims that this camera has nothing to do with any of the off the field media attention that Johnny received over the past offseason. He promised that it wouldn’t turn into the Manziel show, but viewers will get their fair share of the former Heisman Trophy winner (Deitsch, 2013).
From a sports marketing view, I think that CBS has gone overboard and ruined the integrity of this game just to gain more hype and attract more viewers. CBS turned the Alabama vs. Texas A&M game into the Alabama vs. Johnny Manziel game. That’s not only disrespectful to the rest of Johnny’s teammates, but it’s disrespectful to the rest of the college football world. CBS wants to promote Johnny Manziel and have a camera follow him for all the wrong reasons. He has been the most talked about college football player this offseason not because he was the former Heisman Trophy winner, but because of all the trouble he was getting into and the suspected “illegal” activity he was caught doing. Instead of focusing on what is important about college football such as the environment, the passion and loyalty of the fans, and the drive of the players to represent their school, CBS has decided to turn this in to the E channel and have their main focus on a drama filled Johnny Manziel. Not to mention that previously in the season Johnny received a lot of criticism for his unsportsmanlike gestures he made to the other team.
I believe that Sports networks are trying to turn these Educational Institutions into business organizations just to make an extra dollar. Their success rate in turning their marketing and promotions attempts into added viewers and popularity is quite impressive, but it’s gone about the wrong way. If this was the NFL, I would have no problem with it because all of the players are paid to receive this attention. College players are not allowed to receive a dime. Nothing can be sold by any university or business that has a college players name on it, so companies like CBS should not be allowed to market a single player just for the benefit of themselves. Not only did CBS market an unpaid athlete to gain attention, but they promoted the athlete who accumulated more criticism for his behavior this past offseason than any other athlete in sports beside Aaron Hernandez.
To sum up this article and how it applies to our class, I think this is a good example of what’s wrong with college sports these days. The extremes that Networks and Universities go to so that they can make an extra dollar is ridiculous. It has been completely forgotten that these people are student-athletes, not professionals, and that how they need to be marketed. We have learned that integrity is one of the most important qualities is this business and as a consumer myself, I’ve lost a great deal of respect for CBS and Texas A&M. I already didn’t have any for Johnny Manziel.
