A Healthy Dose of Perspective

Stucki · 07-06-2005, 08:41 PM

In one way or another there has been a great deal of complaining about the amount and quality of coverage the beautiful game has received in the Salt Lake market. I'm sitting here at my computer playing around the forum and reading a series of posts bashing local sports talk hosts for what they are saying about our sport or what they are not saying, or what they won't allow us to say.

I want to try and put things in perspective. We just listened to two guys that are basically soccer haters talk soccer, granted in a condescending manner for the most part, for an hour.

We have another soccer hater calling our games and is actually becoming a fan. We have three sports talk stations in the market that are actually covering games, having coaches and players on the air, and are discussing soccer themselves, often without any callers, players, or RSL staff as a catalyst.

We have local television stations covering our results with video footage and often orginating broadcasts from the stadium. At least some "established" teams don't enjoy that. Sean Wheelock wrote a column a few weeks ago complaining how none of the television stations in Kansas City even sent crews to cover a home game. This for a team that played in last year's MLS cup. All of our road games have been broadcast on television and English and Spanish radio stations. Again, "established" teams don't enjoy this. Last night's game against the MetroStars was not broadcast on television. It is my understanding that television broadcasts are the responsibility of the visiting team. The Metros play in the continent's largest media market and can't get their games on television? I have been told that the Galaxy didn't have a radio broadcast for the first few years.

Both of the local newspapers have assigned a beat writer and often have multiple reporters and/or columnists assigned to cover RSL games. Even road games that the newspapers can't budget their beat writers for our being covered via free lance or AP writers.

Could coverage be better, sure. However we can't expect any station, including the station that broadcasts our games to do RSL 24/7. Not even the Jazz flagship station does Jazz coverage that much. As long as we continue to show interest, they will be forced to cover our team, whether they like it or not.

I encourage everyone to continue to call in to shows and send emails to hosts. Understand that some people don't share our passion and make that known in various ways while they are on the air. I emplore everyone to at least slow down and think before they do anything that will reflect poorly on themselves, our supporters groups and RSL. Save your passion for the team.

DadOf8 · 07-06-2005, 09:04 PM

Well said Stucki. Good comments!

MomOf8 · 07-06-2005, 09:05 PM

Very well put! I don't think it could've been said better.

devNull · 07-06-2005, 10:14 PM

I agree 100% Stucki. I have really actually been really happy with local media coverage. I basically expected to hear a bunch of broadcasters totally hate on soccer and then forget about it. Sure they hate on soccer, but they are positive here and there. I think that they are starting to see why it can really be an interesting sport. I have been very pleased with how open minded many of the hosts are as well. They have to hate on it though b/c it certainly isn't becoming of a sports caster to like soccer... 🙂 I mean isn't that career suicide for a sports caster to openly promote soccer?

I am a student at the U and pick up the Chrony (student newspaper) to basically read the RSL articles. They have been consistently getting better as the reporter seems to be learning to write better and learns more about the game. I guess it is time to give him some props via e-mail. I agree that one thing we should do is let the media know how grateful we are to have the coverage we do get. Quick w/ praise and slow to criticize. That is probably the best way to go about it.

SoccerPrime · 07-07-2005, 06:36 AM

May I add (in supplement to Stuck's fine comments) that we should actively praise the media for their efforts to let the locals know more about RSL.
I recently emailed all the media I know of in Utah that report on RSL, saying thanks and I got several emails back telling me thank you.

Plus, now they email me and ask my opinion on stuff. 🙂

Aerick · 07-07-2005, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

May I add (in supplement to Stuck's fine comments) that we should actively praise the media for their efforts to let the locals know more about RSL.
I recently emailed all the media I know of in Utah that report on RSL, saying thanks and I got several emails back telling me thank you.

Plus, now they email me and ask my opinion on stuff. 🙂

I did the same and received many responses as well. However, no one is asking for my opinion. Apparently, I'm an idiot! 🙂

SoccerPrime · 07-07-2005, 09:55 AM

I didn't say they cared about what I said, I just said they ask now.
😉

praxis · 07-09-2005, 12:53 PM

Up here in Ogden i am surprised by how much RSL they have in the sports page. There is an article in the paper almost every day, and not just some blurb. They usually talk to a player and give some background on them. I have been pretty happy with the coverage. I am not sure if that is because we are starved for more news or because we have a large Latino population. (Although i never see the kids wearing RSL gear in the parks. Mostly Chivas gear. Watching the game in Ogden could be pretty fun. Each side today could have their own cheering section.) Either way it works for me.