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"Timeline of events in the Ray Rice case"

From the Baltimore Sun

Analysis by Leah Travers in SRM 334 (section 2)

As a Maryland resident and Ravens fan, I decided to choose the handling of Ravens running back Ray Rice. This is a perfect example to look at when discussing the importance of public relations and media image. I want to look at how the NFL, the Ravens, and Ray Rice used different styles of media to communicate with fans and to clear up their image. The most used tools were news and press conferences, but others examples are commercials and interviews. They say actions speak louder than words and one image can redefine someone, but what is it about the second leaked video of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancé that got everyone changing their opinions about him? Could the league and the Ravens have pretend it wasn’t as bad because they didn’t see the action occur, even though we all know Rice punched her? 

“The decision to let Ray Rice go was unanimous. Seeing that video changed everything. We should have seen it earlier. We should have pursued our own investigation more vigorously. We didn’t and we were wrong” said Bisocitti. Image is everything now-a-days. The steps taken to shape a player, a team, or a leagues image is what will keep them successful in a business that all depends on what sponsors and fans think about them.

Mr. Goodell is in the hot spot after how he handled this scandal. Thoughts like “Why didn’t the NFL investigate the situation more?”, “do they even care about what the players do?”, and “are their apologizes sincere?” Mr. Goodell used a news conference to announce to the public that “he got it wrong” and “will get it right.” Another quote that I pulled from his news conference was his view of the NFL. "At our best, the NFL sets an example that makes a positive difference. Unfortunately over the past several weeks we have seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong and that starts with me." Personally, I wonder how many people really do see the NFL this way. But in attempt to clean up the leagues image they are now initiating a “long-term commitment to help people affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.” They are partnering with the National Domestic violence Hotline and the Sexual violence resource center to help women who have suffered from abuse. Which the NFL is funding the resources that these centers have lacked. The NFL also created a commercial of players speaking about “no more” domestic abuse. This commercial shows the support of players in Goodell’s decision to make the disciplinary actions towards domestic violence harsher more effective (first-time offense = six-game unpaid suspension, repeat offender = lifetime NFL ban).

The Ravens called the press conference in May with Ray Rice and his wife Janay. They both publically apologized for their actions. The Ravens then proceeded to tweet “Janay Rice says she deeply regrets the role that she played the night of the incident.” Why was Janay Rice even at this press conference? One thought I came up with is that they wanted the press and fans to see that if his wife can forgive him so can the world. If his wife will stay with him, the Ravens will stay, and so should the sponsors. The Ravens deleted their tweet. Mrs. Rice recently has admitted in an interview that if it weren’t for the Ravens suggesting her presence at the press conference, she wouldn’t have gone. Janay Rice wouldn’t have apologized as well if it hadn’t been suggested it. What I don’t think the Ravens expected was the back lash towards this tweet. A #WhyIstayed- viral hashtag campaign began over Janay and Ray Rice’s relationship during the aftermath.

Ray Rice has reach out to the media many times in the form of press conferences, public apologies, interviews, and statements. We see him going to intervention programs, couples counseling, and the prospect of him advocating for domestic violence when the time is right. The situation is now out of his hands and in the fate of those around him. Do they believe his apologizes or do they see these tactics as a way to save his career? After fighting for the right to stay in the NFL, Rice is now waiting in limbo for someone to pick him up. The question is if anyone is willing to take Ray Rice into their brand and risk the consequences, positive or negative.

"Chris Jones Dismissed by Louisville: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction"

From Bleacher Report

Analysis by Tyler Murphy in SRM 334 (section 1)

Within the past two weeks the University of Louisville released a statement that their basketball player Chris Jones was being released due to his charges with the police department. Jones was charged with rape and sodomy, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Another issue arose when a female student reported Jones had texted her and threatened to “slap the f*** out of her.” The Louisville head basketball coach, Rick Pitino had come out and said that he will no longer be apart of the team and no further comments will be made.

We did our power point on crisis management and what the University could have done to further prevent this crisis. The athletic spokesman for Louisville, Kenny Klein, had no comment on the report and let the media be the first to tell the public. Travis and I both agreed that he should’ve addressed the fans and public before the media to keep the image at Louisville upheld. The university a have had multiple incidences in the past 2 years dealing with suspensions and releases of players on the team.

I commend the University for releasing the player after finding out the true evidence, but something needs to be done to prevent these accidents from occurring because its starting to become a regular occurrence. Background checks before scholarship offers, curfews during the season, and more strict rules to abide by are multiple options for actions that could be taken to limit these problems.

Overall the crime has already been committed and there is nothing else to be done except serve your punishment. The university, along with Chris Jones, but can learn from this incidence and ensure that nothing like this happens again. On the university side, if it does happen again, they need to handle the situation better and address the media before the fans hear from other sources.

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Analysis by Travis Oyler in SRM 334 (section 1)

Over the past two weeks, The University of Louisville Men’s Basketball program has been in the media spotlight over the suspension and dismissal of one of their star players. Chris Jones, a senior at Louisville, was suspended and dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons. Jones was first suspended from the team February 17 for sending threatening text messages to a female. With Jones out of the lineup, Louisville lost their following game to Syracuse by a score of 59-69. Jones was then allowed to rejoin the team under strict disciplinary measures, and in their next game, Jones led Louisville in a comeback to beat Miami. Jones was then dismissed from the team the next day after being charged with two counts of rape. Louisville will now go on this season without their star point guard.

This article is relevant to sports communication because the negative attention that Louisville now faces will have to be battled with good public relations and crisis management. Personally, I believe that Louisville did all of the right things before Jones was finally dismissed from the team. When Jones sent threatening text messages to his girlfriend on February 17th, Coach Rick Pitino did the right thing by immediately suspending Jones for one game. Louisville gave Jones a second chance to get his act together by placing him back on the team with strict disciplinary measures, but Jones slipped up again on February 22nd, when Jones allegedly raped and sodomized two women and broke his curfew. Louisville made the call to dismiss Jones the next morning which was the right move to protect their brand, but they could have done a better job of getting their version of the story out before the media could get a word in. Overall this situation is a great example of why organizations need to utilize good public relations and crisis management to protect their image.