C'Mon NCAA, Pay to Play

I will admit I love playing video games as much as any other gamer. In fact my favorite genre is sports gaming, particularly games created by EA Sports. My all time favorite is John Madden Football. The game that is runner-up to that one is NCAA Football. Though both games deal with the same sport, it’s not surprising that many of them do not pay the players for the right to use their name and likeness.

This creates a major problem for many current and former players of college sports who feel that they should be compensated fairly for the use of their image and legacy.  Ed O’Bannon former UCLA forward who helped lead the school to a national championship in 1995, is one player who’s currently involved in a suit with the NCAA about this very thing. In 2009, O’Bannon filed a class action lawsuit seeking to stop the NCAA from licensing the images and likenesses of former college athletes in DVDs, photographs and other products.

According to the lawsuit, the NCAA has improperly benefited from using former Division I football and basketball players’ images even after they stopped playing and seeks an injunction to stop the practice.

It also seeks damages and an accounting of the money made by the NCAA from past licensing. In addition, the lawsuit says the NCAA has violated antitrust laws by not allowing athletes to negotiate their own licensing deals.

In my opinion, this is an unfair move by the NCAA to make even more money off the backs of student athletes. To be honest, many players are not even graduating from many of these sports programs. Instead they are usually on the team for one or two years then it’s off to the pros. Considering that trend, one has to ask how much is the education they are getting actually worth, if they can easily choose getting paid over sticking college out for two or three more years.

If the players for top-notch NCAA teams are not going to get paid per game, I believe they should at least be able to market their image and likeness to the public. It’s as if the NCAA is trying to own these guys completely. I’m talking mind body and soul. These players’ pictures, and legacies are being sold over and over and they cannot make a profit off of it. No wonder you have situations like you had at North Carolina, where players received benefits and most recently the Terrell Pryor tattoo and memorabilia debacle at Ohio State. My heart goes out to these guys and I’m in full support of their right to fight the NCAA on this particular issue. Some players can’t even pay their phone bills or car insurance on their own. It’s a violation if they receive money or favors to help finance such things.That is a crime if you ask me, to bind a person to one entity with the sole promise of a free education makes me shake my head in frustration as to how many can think players are getting a fair deal by the NCAA. 

A Chit Chat Interview with James McQuage

I recently interviewed James McQuage for about 45 minutes in an effort to gain further insight into the sports and media production industry. I chose Mcquage for this interview due to his background in sports broadcasting. He is an experienced professional with expertise in video editing. In fact, he was once the lead editor for the WHIO-TV news in Dayton, Ohio. Currently, he is in his second year with ESPNU working as a production log editor or logger for many of their collegiate sports events.

A graduate from UNC-Pembroke, James and I attended the same university and both received bachelor’s degree’s under the same major department, Mass Communications. He is an active freelance videographer and editor.  McQuage also completes projects for colleagues, friends, and family who all seek his highly recommended editing skills. Before I started asking questions, we took a moment to reminisce about our history together. I told him that it was great to see him doing what he loves to do. When we were in our senior year, James was excited to get into the professional broadcasting industry. In fact, he was interviewed by ESPN that year for a similar position to one that he currently holds; we both found it to be a bit ironic. Now that time has passed and my own interest in working in sports has increased dramatically. If possible I would also like to join him someday at ESPN. It is this reason for which I told him I wanted to ask him questions that specifically pertained to his experience in the industry so far. The topics I wanted to include revolved around his passion for his job, his interests in sports, as well as his day-to-day operations and professional outlook.

         The first thing that I wanted to know in the interview was, “What personal qualities are important to being successful at your profession?” Mcquage answered, “Time awareness is vital to logging a live game. Being punctual, I guess, is a better way to say it. The atmosphere is very social so blending in is also important quality a candidate should have. ” I asked him “On a typical what do you do at your profession that enables you to meet your company’s expectations of your position?” To which he answered, “Its great because on a regular day, all I have to do is watch ESPN and keep an eye on college sports. Know how to say someone’s name is important.”

At this point I was excited to learn more about his profession and what part of his job did he find most satisfying and what parts were most challenging? James mentioned, “With sports entertainment I think the most satisfying is the most challenging. I mean there is nothing like logging the big game, being in charge of keeping ESPNU updated, so they can have the fastest turnover of highlights and replays as any other station. It is stressful but its great.”

Although the economy is in a downward spiral, I wanted to know how his company and his position were affected by it and what was his outlook for the future? James replied, “The current economics is great for sports. More folks are at home watching sports and our rating have never been higher. We are the fasting growing branch of ESPN. We will be adding more logging station, which consist of 3 monitors, 2 computers, high definition recording station, also including the software. We have recently updated to a new Avid Assist, which gives us a quicker turnover time from live game time to Avid live recording feed. The turnover is quicker by 5 seconds. I can only suspect our turnover time will get better which will make us ever faster with the replays, and live cut ins.” 

At this point the interview was coming to a close and it was time for him to return back to his job. Before letting him go I proceeded to ask him one last question, which was, what special advice would you give a person entering this field? With a short sigh and chuckle he answered, “To be a logger you have to practice. I would say start off by writing the main players of each play over 10 yards in a football game. The main things are Who, What, and how long. Also, note the time of the game in which it happened the better you get, note the time of day it happened. Our recordings are live so we record on the time of day.”

Ultimately, I felt like the interview was a success one. It left me with more of a respect for his position and others that are behind the scenes at ESPN. 

Social Media Analysis: Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith is a sports journalists for ESPN whom I have had an interest in working with for over 5 years. I find his analysis of the NBA and NFL entertaining and informative. Through the use of social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, it is easier to stay on top of what's next from him professionally. He has a twitter account which he updates daily with at least a tweet or two to fans, players and colleagues. In this video I analyze his social media presence over the internet and offer a few opinions on how I could be of use to his career.  

How's Sports Holding Up Despite A Down Economy

It is not uncommon these days for sports teams to struggle making money. As a country, we are in a recession, some might call it a depression but nevertheless many people are still supporting their favorite teams. In a recent article by Charles Davidson, Atlanta Federal Reserve Staff Writer, he mentions many ways how the sports industry still accumulates a heavy fan following, despite the down economy. However though loyalty still remains for some pro teams and major universities, teams and schools in smaller markets are hit harder by the economic downturn. This paper will shed light on Davidson’s information as well as offer some creative ways teams can attract fans.

According to Davidson (2009), “Sports as an industry, especially the most high-profile leagues and franchises, is weathering the downturn comparatively well. Even as unemployment has risen dramatically—more than tripling in Florida, for instance, from July 2006 to July 2009—many people are still spending at least some money on sports”. In the south football is a passionate and emotional release for many fans. In 2008 five Southeastern Conference schools brought in a collective $303 million dollars. Which resulted in ESPN and CBS paying the conference a 3 billion dollar deal to broadcast their games on their networks over the next 15 years (Davidson, 2009). Concluding that despite a crippling economy, people still want to see and support their favorite teams.

Although success still looms for some minor league and pro teams, many others have not been so lucky. The Jacksonville Jaguars experienced blackouts for some of their home games due to them not selling out prior to kickoff (Forbes, 2009). After 22 years of existence the Arena Football League folded altogether in 2009 (Davidson, 2009). Even Nascar and stock car racing have experienced the effects of the economy. According to Davidson, high fuel prices and rising unemployment have caused racing fans and automotive industry sponsors to cut spending (2009). 

However, despite the rough situation many teams find themselves in financially, some have weathered the storm by implementing new and creative ways to generate income and sustain their fan loyalty. Even during a lockout scenario like the NBA is currently facing, teams find it important to continue to market their team brand in an effort to combat the apathy a typical fan may experience during tough business negotiations. For example, this year the LA Lakers ran a campaign on their website in which all their team jerseys were on sale for 50% off the regular price. This was a marketing idea sure to attract the eyes of die-hard fans but also a mechanism to accumulate merchandise dollars despite games not being played. In some cases joint ventures in which the state allocates funds through sports teams in an effort to stimulate the industry as well as the local economy are established. In Davidsons article he writes that,

Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami this summer agreed to use hotel room taxes to finance the majority of a stadium for baseball's Marlins that will cost—after paying off bonds over 40 years—about $2.4 billion. Officials broke ground on the new ballpark in July.

That same month, Louisiana's state government finalized a deal to help keep the Saints in New Orleans through 2025. That arrangement includes spending $85 million in state funds to renovate the team's stadium, the Louisiana Superdome, and leasing space for state agencies in a New Orleans office building owned by Saints owner Tom Benson (2009).

Despite state efforts to assist in drawing fans to sports teams, the franchises themselves should offer more affordable ticket options for their fan-base. Teams having economic troubles should not continue to offer high-priced game tickets and food prices that further hurt the customer. Instead they should implement more options for fans that are affordable. A layaway plan for tickets prior to the season is a good idea for those who are interested in holding season passes (Lefton, 2008). Another way to boost fan attendance could be re-arranging the food menu into meal options instead of itemized or a la carte items. For example, one hotdog may cost $5 and a soda may cost the same at some sporting events. Instead of individual food purchases, it may make sense for some teams to throw in fries or some other item to complete a possible $10 meal deal.

  In the end the teams should continue to find new and creative ways to market to their fan-base in an effort to sustain their loyalty. Although many people are passionate about their teams, it should not be ruled out that as a country we are all facing tough economic situations. Without teams sharing an initial empathy towards the fan on an economic level many of them may find themselves cutting back or folding altogether.

Sources

Davidson, C. (2009). Sports Still Draws Fans Despite Recession. Retrieved from

http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/econsouth/econsouth_vol_11_no_3_sports_draw_fans.cfm

Lefton, T. 2008, December 3. Saints Offering Season Tickets with Six Month Layaway   Plans. Layaway Sports. Retrtieved from

http://www.elayawaysports.com/news/saints-offering-season-tickets-with-six-month-layaway-plans/

NFL Team Valuations. 2009, September 9. Forbes Online. Retrieved from

            http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/30/football-values-09_Jacksonville-

Jaguars_306892.html

Posner, R. 2011, August 23. Let’s be Honest: We’re in a Depression, Not a Recession,

And There’s No End in Sight. The New Republic. Retrieved from

http://www.tnr.com/article/economy/94055/posner-recession-

depressions-entitlements

The Bargainist. 2011. Lakers Store coupon-50% off jerseys. Retrieved from

http://www.bargainist.com/deals/2011/10/lakers-store-coupon-50-off-jerseys/#b

No Story Shined Brighter than the Dogfighter

 “The Biggest Plays in Sports Business”

Over the last ten years there have been numerous sports stories that attracted attention and spawned emotional reactions from people all over the world. For example, LeBron James signing with the Miami heat, (which had fans burning his jersey and sending hateful messages on twitter) or Reggie Bush returning his Heisman trophy to the NCAA. In my opinion the biggest story of this decade is the Michael Vick Dogfighting incident. Before I reminisce on the heartbreak I felt from this poor choice one of my childhood icons made, I would like to embrace his present. For that is exactly what he has been to NFL fans since his release from prison in 2009. Vick won the comeback player of the year award and was recently runner up to Tom Brady in Offensive Player of the Year votes last season. In this year’s offseason he added a new 6 year 100 million dollar contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to his legacy.

 However, his fall down the sports icon mountain was one of pure uncertainty and disdain amongst his character image. In 2007, he was one of the highest paid players in the NFL, and he had just come off a season where his former team, the Atlanta Falcons came just a game short of reaching the Super Bowl. Though he had plenty to celebrate on the field, it was his off the field dogfighting ring, which led to him becoming one of the most hated sports icons of the decade.

He wasn’t just some run in the mill dogfighter who occasionally let his pet pit-bull square off in battle, but rather he was what they call in that sector, “One of the big boys”. A guy who contributes a large amount of money towards the bets placed on the fights. When asked how many dogs he was responsible for fighting Vick told ESPN he was responsible for training and fighting an estimated 2,000 dogs. Not to mention the results of his case revealed he and a couple of his partners killed underperforming dogs by a range of methods including hanging and drowning. In the end Vick served a 23-month prison sentence for his role in the incident.

This was the hugest sports story of the decade due to his loss of steady income, endorsements, two football seasons, friends, fans, pride and influence Vick had over the generation. It is also a huge story due to its humanitarian outcome. Not only did he accept responsibility for his actions and pay his debt to society, but, he also contributed time to the humane society after his release, this in an effort to end dogfighting nation wide. Overall, people got the chance to witness the villain become the hero. In the end, I am proud to say I am a fan of Michael Vick and may his story continue to unfold for the better.

Other Sources:

 “The Biggest Plays in Sports Business”

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/179439-examining-michael-vicks-dogfighting-2009-edition