Set the record straight

Not Pele · 04-21-2005, 02:20 PM

OK, normally I just observe the chatter on this website, but I feel with the negative light my newspaper has received in the last 24 hours, it's necessary for me to set the record straight — at least in my opinion.

First of all, I must come to the defense of Dave Schneider. He is a fantastic sports editor who understands that soccer is a big deal. He's the reason the Deseret Morning News sent me to a week of training camp in Florida. He's given me free reign to write as many stories as I want about Real Salt Lake. Because of budgeting concerns from upper management (not Dave), the newspaper has decided to cover about half of the away games with a Deseret Morning News sports writer. The other eight games, the game story will be written by an Associated Press writer or freelance writer in the area. These stories are traditionally comparable in length and quality to what a DNews writer would produce on a similar deadline. BY NO MEANS IS THE DESERET MORNING NEWS not covering away games. Realistically, you won't even notice a difference.

Don't get me wrong, I wish I could cover every game, but at the end of the day, I'm a soccer junkie just like all of you. I remember when that Brazilian punk elbowed Tab Ramos in the face in the 1994 World Cup, and we still couldn't beat them a man down. I remember Eddie Pope's header in the rain. I remember getting screwed by the ref on Gregg Berhalter's handball in the box in World Cup qualifying in 1998 (was it in Honduras or Costa Rica). I still think about what if Tony Sanneh's header hadn't sailed wide against Germany in 2002.

The point is, I want soccer to suceed in this market just like everyone else. I KNOW Major League Soccer is a big deal, that's why I've covered it like a big deal from the day I first reported Dave Checketts' involvement back in May. And I have my sports editor's backing completely.

I believe the Deseret Morning News' coverage of Real Salt Lake is the best in this market, and perhaps the best in the country from what I've heard. Of course I'm biased, but you guys are ultimately the judge. With us, you get a beat writer who loves and understands the beautiful game, just like you. In my opnion, that should count for something.

Aero · 04-21-2005, 02:34 PM

Thanks for your reply. I think it does mean a lot to us to know that you are out there reporting on the team for us. I think that more than anything, the response that we got back from your editor what was got us worked up. If he had crafted a reply much as you have done here, I think much of the problem could have been avoided. Maybe he should have you responding to his email instead. 🙂

Rover · 04-21-2005, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Pele

I believe the Deseret Morning News' coverage of Real Salt Lake is the best in this market, and perhaps the best in the country from what I've heard. Of course I'm biased, but you guys are ultimately the judge. With us, you get a beat writer who loves and understands the beautiful game, just like you. In my opnion, that should count for something.

It certainly does count for something, and your work has been much appreciated, at least speaking as an RSL fan in exile here in San Diego where I depend on your paper (and the Trib) online for most of my RSL news.

The problem wasn't so much about limited coverage of away games, although that decision does say something about priorities at the paper. If Mr. Schneider had replied as you just have, we would have accepted it and moved on to something else. Instead, his reply only cast more doubt on just how the DesNews looks at soccer--and soccer fans. Words have meaning, and I was disappointed to read his response to Ethan.

In the end, I don't see how we as fans gain anything by focusing on the negative, especially when we have one of our own working for the DesNews. Mr. Schneider could have handled things better, but we'll write it off as an anomaly if that's what you say. Again, we appreciate your articles and advocacy.

AreliusII · 04-21-2005, 03:46 PM

I should mention that James (and the reporter for that other paper) was at the practice today, as always…

Loyal1 · 04-21-2005, 04:02 PM

Looks like there has been a series of communication problems.

Not Pele & I have discussed this issue months ago and I thought did so in the presence of some of you posting in these two related threads. Maybe it wasn't as widely known as I thought.

Personally, I think that anyone who complains of soccer coverage in SLC should spend time in another market. It has been incredible to hear back from other fans across the league of how jealous they are of us.

How wide spread is the media coverage of RSL & the soccer culture that hatched recently? Consider that KCSG tv in St. George ran a story on The Loyalists as a follow up to their RSL coverage. 300 miles away! Is that happening anywhere else? If it happened in SJ or KC there wouldn't been rumors or teams for sale. If it happened in Florida we wouldn't have a team.

Please don't anyone cancel your tv subscriptions because you want more soccer coverage. Greed is a vice.

off the soapbox now...

Please remember that the FO has asked us to call and write to thank media outlets for their coverage. And in any emails or calls please do not imply that you speak for The Loyalists. Burned bridges usually cost more than the original ones.

Rover · 04-21-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loyal1

Please remember that the FO has asked us to call and write to thank media outlets for their coverage. And in any emails or calls please do not imply that you speak for The Loyalists. Burned bridges usually cost more than the original ones.

Concur.

And it's true that Salt Lake is years ahead of any other MLS city in terms of media coverage, access, and quality.

Aerick · 04-21-2005, 06:37 PM

I need to get on that "thanking news outlets for their coverage" thing...

Good Advice. We, as fans, need to act as our own PR machine and keep this ball rolling!!

Stucki · 04-21-2005, 06:39 PM

I just reread Schneider's reply. I still don't see what in his reply should have gotten anyone worked up. Are we just expecting negativity from the media?

Aero · 04-21-2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrstucki

I just reread Schneider's reply. I still don't see what in his reply should have gotten anyone worked up. Are we just expecting negativity from the media?

Maybe so, but it sounds as if the media is also expecting a little negativity from soccer fans. I guess we all see what we are expecting to see. Maybe both sides need to take a closer look at what is actually going on.

Stucki · 04-21-2005, 07:56 PM

That sounds about right. The Bramble incident didn't help us.