But, Big but, it IS part of his job description to talk to the media. The team, I.E the coach, should have taken care of this insubordinate behavior a long time ago.
Imagine the local police chief, required as part of his job to talk to the media, standing up in front of a national TV audience and repeatedly answered every question "I'm here so I won't get fired."
But, Big but, it IS part of his job description to talk to the media. The team, I.E the coach, should have taken care of this insubordinate behavior a long time ago.
Imagine the local police chief, required as part of his job to talk to the media, standing up in front of a national TV audience and repeatedly answered every question "I'm here so I won't get fired."
Not comparable. A RB isn't a cop.
What's the complaint anyway? Lynch showed up and fulfilled his media obligations according to the contract between the NFL and NFLPA.
saying I'm only talking to you because I'm mandated too seems like a perfectly reasonable response to me. It might be the most honest thing they heard all week. And it's given them a great windfall of things to talk about. It's unique, and the media loves unique.
Personally, I love it. His job is to play football, something he does very well. This week part of his job was to talk to the media, and he did. He spoke very loudly in his own way.
This country is overloaded with people who have the attitude that they can sign contracts and not live up to the obligations agreed to in the contracts. It is this very spirit among many other degenerate attitudes that is destroying this country and weakening society.
We live in a society today that is nothing but gimmie gimmie gimmie and many no longer believe in working hard for what they earn and ignore their obligations. Many will sew their next door neighbor because they tripped over a rock they failed to remove from their sidewalk and broke a leg. It will get much worse too.
I wonder how Lynch would like it if Seattle simply decided not to pay him but didn't tell him until after the Superbowl.
neither of those posts above actually showed up last night when I posted them, and they are out of order. In fact, I posted the second one (the first one as listed) because the first one didn't post.
I think it's wrong a person is required to speak to the media Â
And it goes up to the wrong that it's part of the contract in the first place.
Beyond that, I think it's wrong that if you speak to the media that you can't say whatever it is that's on your mind, truthfully. That includes thoughts and opinions of the league, including specific individuals and policies, refereeing, including specific individuals and decisions, religion, politics, whatever...
I can think of few things more offensive to me than someone not only being forced to talk but being forced to say specific things.
athlete interviews are generally a waste of time in the first place. There's either an agenda attached or they are playing up a specific persona. I tune in to watch the games, don't care about the rest.
His non responses were idiotic and I hope he gets fined the full $500,000.
Regardless of whether athlete interviews are a waste of time or what not, other people's jobs depends on athlete's availability to the media.
The media is what makes the sport so popular and what allows Lynch to get millions of dollars for playing a kid's game anyway.
Acting like this to the media evokes a similar reaction out of me as when athletes are complete dicks to fans. Don't forget that the media and the fans are why you are grossly overpaid in comparison to the actual importance to society of your job. You make millions because you make others millions, and you only make others millions due to fans and the media.
So sack the fuck up and answer the questions.
anyone who does everything possible to piss off the parasitic media Â
His non responses were idiotic and I hope he gets fined the full $500,000.
Regardless of whether athlete interviews are a waste of time or what not, other people's jobs depends on athlete's availability to the media.
The media is what makes the sport so popular and what allows Lynch to get millions of dollars for playing a kid's game anyway.
Acting like this to the media evokes a similar reaction out of me as when athletes are complete dicks to fans. Don't forget that the media and the fans are why you are grossly overpaid in comparison to the actual importance to society of your job. You make millions because you make others millions, and you only make others millions due to fans and the media.
So sack the fuck up and answer the questions.
If someone's job counts on milking mundane quotes out of athletes that aren't trained public speakers so they can fill column inches, that person either needs to get better at their job or find another job. Lynch fulfilled his contractual obligation to be present at media day. It's not enough for you that he spent his time doing something he clearly didn't want to...now you want him to answer questions the way you'd like? If that's the case, why doesn't the NFL just give him a script?
The truth is that there is no need for the mission the media is attempting to accomplish through this relationship with players. The guys that actually break stories (like Glazer) are important and add to the experience. The people writing filler columns stocked with filler quotes in an attempt to "connect" the players to the fans have been made obsolete by social media. If Lynch wants to connect with the fans he can do it directly on his own. The middle man is not needed.
I don't really care what any of these pro athletes have to say especially when they are being asked the typical fluff shit after or before a game. But on the other side these athletes need to accept that part of their job is to deal with the media. The media feeds the fans and without the fans these guys aren't getting paid to play.
Whenever these athletes boycott the media they may not know it but they are basically saying FU to the fans. Lynch should just tell the hawks and the nfl he's not going to talk to the media at all and just get all the fines over with and save everyone a lot of time.
Like beningo says wait until these angry athletes and coaches that hated the media retire from the game and no one cares about them anymore--- many go running back to the same media outlets they antagonized earlier asking for a job.
The media is what makes the sport so popular and what allows Lynch to get millions of dollars for playing a kid's game anyway.
Can't believe I missed this little morsel of idiocy. The media is what makes the sport popular? Really? Not the athletes on the field but the gnawing little rats writing about them?
The media has too many employees with such low quality that I say good riddance to most of them. Everyone is a "reporter" or "journalist" now. They aren't quite as bad as paparazzi, but its getting there.
The media can go collectively jump off a bridge for all I care.
First of all, with regards to "other people's jobs" - a high school friend of mine is the sports anchor for a Rochester news station. I wouldn't exactly call him a "parasite", he's a fucking news anchor, and he's been in situations like this. It's that fucking hard to answer someone's questions? You're already rich and famous, god forbid you a half hour to answer questions about the people who are the reason you are a celebrity to the magnitude that you are and who are the reason you are paid the amount you are paid?
As for Greg in LI, BBI's resident angriest person alive, uh yes, of course the media is the reason the sport is as popular as it is today. And it's this popularity that affects revenue, and subsequently salary. How could someone even disagree with this? If media outlets didn't cover the NFL, do you think players would get paid as much as they do today?
I don't give a fuck if he gave cookie cutter non answers, or didn't give a soundbyte. That's not his job. But to be a complete and total fucking dick to the media all year is just stupid. Lynch is a dumbass and he's always been a dumbass, and this falls right in line with Lynch's stupidity. This is the same moron who thought he was going to fly to NYC and hang out with Jay-Z when he got drafted by the Bills, then was shocked to find snow all over the ground.
If there's some sort of contentious issue or misinterpretation with the media, okay, I get being curt and short.
If you have a social anxiety disorder like Ricky Williams did, you shouldn't have to stand up there and get questioned.
But unless I'm missing something (maybe I am), Lynch is just being an asshole to be an asshole. Lame.
The media is not the reason for Lynch's popularity Â
He's a great player that's phenomenal to watch play. He owes a lot more to any FOX cameraman than he does to some guy trying to write a story off of him.
What about looking at it the other way? Why can't a reporter write a story without pestering Lynch for a quote?
I sincerely hope other athletes follow Lynch's lead and give reporters the choice of actually doing good work or obsolescence.
but aside from the repetitive moronic questions, I think what athletes(anyone) are annoyed by the most are being misquoted or having their comments taken out of context..
RE: The media is not the reason for Lynch's popularity Â
He's a great player that's phenomenal to watch play. He owes a lot more to any FOX cameraman than he does to some guy trying to write a story off of him.
What about looking at it the other way? Why can't a reporter write a story without pestering Lynch for a quote?
I sincerely hope other athletes follow Lynch's lead and give reporters the choice of actually doing good work or obsolescence.
What I meant is that the media is the reason for the league's popularity. Lynch is popular because he's an awesome player to watch in the NFL. The NFL is as popular and lucrative as it is because of the media coverage it receives.
Dude makes more money than the vast majority of people will in their entire lives. It's too much to ask of him to not be a dick to reporters? At least give generic, boring answers, without coming off and acting like a total dick to the people who make the league you play in as popular as it is.
anti media personally. They have their job to do, and some do it well. I like most of the people who cover the Giant's work. But that does not in itself mean that the player's owe them their time. Some players love sharing with the media, other's don't. If a player like Lynch honestly doesn't want to do the dance, there is nothing wrong with him publicly saying he doesn't want to do the dance.
I wouldn't want to do it either. You'd never hear a peep out of me if I was in his spotlight.
I would argue that the NFL is popular because it has (or at least once had) a phenomenal product. It's a great game that is perfect for television.
Rather than the media making the NFL popular, I think it's the other way around. ESPN and its various clones wouldn't exist (at least not in their current forms) were it not for the NFL.
Here's the thing...the media hasn't given Lynch anything. If ESPN and its clones didn't exist I think the games would still be televised and draw ratings massive enough to generate Lynch's contract. But if Lynch and his colleagues weren't out there on Sundays there'd be less reason for the sports media to even exist in its current form.
RE: anyone who does everything possible to piss off the parasitic media Â
He can answer questions as he sees fit, with the knowledge that he forfeits a part of his salary (in the form of fines) to the extent he fails to comply with his contractual obligations as an NFL player.
He can answer questions as he sees fit, with the knowledge that he forfeits a part of his salary (in the form of fines) to the extent he fails to comply with his contractual obligations as an NFL player.
Well...if he decides to bitch and whine about getting fined, he can go to the media. But I doubt that he will do either...:)
Something similar to this happened with LT before XXI. He threatened to blow off Media Day, the NFL told him he'd get fined, so he showed up but didn't say much of anything.
He is dissin the system that pays his and his teammates salary. He is in the entertainment business which only sells tickets based on public awareness and hype from reporters/TV. He now makes a mockery of the NFL office just because he does not want to do something that benefits the sport and all of the NFL income. No one player is above the sport. If he does not want to participate, then don't play and/or accept the salary that the other players are supporting by feeding the system.
I would argue that the NFL is popular because it has (or at least once had) a phenomenal product. It's a great game that is perfect for television.
Rather than the media making the NFL popular, I think it's the other way around. ESPN and its various clones wouldn't exist (at least not in their current forms) were it not for the NFL.
Here's the thing...the media hasn't given Lynch anything. If ESPN and its clones didn't exist I think the games would still be televised and draw ratings massive enough to generate Lynch's contract. But if Lynch and his colleagues weren't out there on Sundays there'd be less reason for the sports media to even exist in its current form.
No offense, but saying sports media wouldn't exist if there weren't any sports is a little...obvious?
And football is a great game, but we both know that all sports leagues increase their value by marketing personalities - fans root for a team, but relate to and like players.
For example, there will always be Giants fans, but would Giant jerseys (#13) be selling like they are if Beckham weren't a) a hyper-talented athlete; and b) hyped daily by the media?
The game will always be the game, but the media amplifies it - to say that some of the NFL's value isn't owed to the media would be incorrect.
I'm not sure that Beckham jerseys are being bought because of ESPN Â
Is a 13 year old kid asking his parents for a jersey because they're talking about Beckham on Around the Horn, or is it because he is an incredible player that makes unusually great plays seem pretty usual, and he can go on YouTube (not ESPN) and watch them over and over?
And while I agree that it's obvious the sports media wouldn't exist without sports, that doesn't seem to be obvious to many people here. Reading some of these posts you'd get the sense that the media themselves are signing Lynch's game checks.
I don't think the media is as important in the relationship anymore, or even important at all. Take ESPN and their ilk off the air and people will still watch and rewatch, because they are no longer reliant on ESPN to deliver highlights. People are their own reporters now...a phenomenon we see on YouTube, Reddit, and right here on BBI.
A throwaway story from a reporter at the Seattle Post Intelligencer doesn't fit into that dynamic anymore.
I don't know why Lynch doesn't always show up and do this. Â
Avoid the fines and get your way all at once.. all the while actually calling attention to something he clearly think is a problem (automatic media obligations).
I think it's fair to say the media in the traditional Â
sense has fragmented, but the large networks remain key to the NFL not only in terms of distribution, but in terms of profitability. To say there isn't a direct link between those contracts and player compensation is to ignore reality.
RE: I think it's fair to say the media in the traditional Â
sense has fragmented, but the large networks remain key to the NFL not only in terms of distribution, but in terms of profitability. To say there isn't a direct link between those contracts and player compensation is to ignore reality.
Yes, the large networks that televise the games. Theirs are the contracts that are paying the players. The games are the commodity.
In ESPN's example, they pay the players with the money they spend for the right to air Monday Night Football. But Marshawn Lynch isn't seeing money because they called him a beast on Cold Pizza or whatever garbage ESPN is currently passing for programming. And if ESPN decides not to pay for MNF in the future because players won't talk, fine. Someone will be there waiting to offer the NFL double for MNF.
The networks that air the games matter, but they only matter while the games are on. No one is going to stop watching if the networks change...this was proven when CBS lost the NFC games to an upstart FOX network.
The demand for the games themselves is inelastic, the rest doesn't matter.
of Cold Pizza, or whatever show, but the benefit certainly accrues to the NFL. Anything that enhances or increases the perception of the players or the game adds to the value of the enterprise. Basic marketing...does one outlet "matter"? Probably not, but in aggregate the "media" has value to the NFL.
RE: RE: I think it's fair to say the media in the traditional Â
sense has fragmented, but the large networks remain key to the NFL not only in terms of distribution, but in terms of profitability. To say there isn't a direct link between those contracts and player compensation is to ignore reality.
Yes, the large networks that televise the games. Theirs are the contracts that are paying the players. The games are the commodity.
In ESPN's example, they pay the players with the money they spend for the right to air Monday Night Football. But Marshawn Lynch isn't seeing money because they called him a beast on Cold Pizza or whatever garbage ESPN is currently passing for programming. And if ESPN decides not to pay for MNF in the future because players won't talk, fine. Someone will be there waiting to offer the NFL double for MNF.
The networks that air the games matter, but they only matter while the games are on. No one is going to stop watching if the networks change...this was proven when CBS lost the NFC games to an upstart FOX network.
The demand for the games themselves is inelastic, the rest doesn't matter.
You need only look at the group of people complaining the most about this to see who needs who more. Based on what I'm seeing, the biggest complaints about Lynch are coming from the sports pages of the dying newspaper industry.
Marshawn Lynch makes his money because broadcast rights for the NFL are worth billions of dollars, which would be the case if the entire sports writing industry collapsed tomorrow. As long as the games are on TV and people are gambling on them or playing fantasy football, the NFL will print money.
I'm a little late to this discussion but I feel the need Â
to weigh in. To me, Marshawn is acting lime a petulant child and I hope the NFL keeps throwing the book at him.
I may not agree with the rule, but its still a rule. Marshawn continues to, purposely and knowingly, defy the rules and fly in the face of the NFL. He's bringing all of this shit on himself.
You dont like the rules? Who gives a shit. I dont like all the rules at my job but im not childish enough to continually mock those rules in public. And if i did then i probably wouldnt have that job much longer.
Isnt this the same guy who drove a Lamborghini to a club and roped it off to keep people away? Yeah, sounds like a real grounded person. This guy is an uber douche that never progressed past the age of 8.
RE: I'm a little late to this discussion but I feel the need Â
to weigh in. To me, Marshawn is acting lime a petulant child and I hope the NFL keeps throwing the book at him.
I may not agree with the rule, but its still a rule. Marshawn continues to, purposely and knowingly, defy the rules and fly in the face of the NFL. He's bringing all of this shit on himself.
You dont like the rules? Who gives a shit. I dont like all the rules at my job but im not childish enough to continually mock those rules in public. And if i did then i probably wouldnt have that job much longer.
Isnt this the same guy who drove a Lamborghini to a club and roped it off to keep people away? Yeah, sounds like a real grounded person. This guy is an uber douche that never progressed past the age of 8.
a huge circus and in most cases a waste of time. He has to be there...fine, he doesn't want to be there...fine. He does the required minimum and he's out...So what?
its not just media day, he's been pulling this shit all season Â
Unapproved baseball caps, golden cleats, snubbing the media, etc. He's been poking the bear all season with that attention whore Richard Sherman egging him on all season. At least Sherman somewhat entertaining.
Lynch just comes off as a douche. Just shut the fuck up and do your job lime every other football player. Nobody else seems to have a problem doing these interviews but Lynch is awesome because he bucks the system? Come the fuck on. Grow up. He tests the NFL like my 7 year old tests me at dinner. I hope they fine the shit out of him just for being an immature prick.
I don't know, it's possible. Ricky Williams used to wear a helmet on his head because he couldn't look people in the eye when talking. I notice that in most of these interviews, not just this week but during the course of the year as well, Lynch is wearing sunglasses. As well as the dark visor on his helmet.
I do not know if this is the case with Lynch. It may not be. But I do know I wouldn't automatically call someone a dick or an asshole just because they don't like talking with people. Not everyone is going to be the social butterfly, even if it is mandated as part of the job.
I don't know, it's possible. Ricky Williams used to wear a helmet on his head because he couldn't look people in the eye when talking. I notice that in most of these interviews, not just this week but during the course of the year as well, Lynch is wearing sunglasses. As well as the dark visor on his helmet.
I do not know if this is the case with Lynch. It may not be. But I do know I wouldn't automatically call someone a dick or an asshole just because they don't like talking with people. Not everyone is going to be the social butterfly, even if it is mandated as part of the job.
Ummm, no. It's a nice thought but I don't believe for one second that it's "social issues." Someone with social issues isn't going to sit there and repeat the same line (a line mocking the NFL) for every question while also mocking the media. He was being a smart ass. Don't know that's not completely transparent to you. Have you even seen the video?
And sunglasses? Really? Tons of people where sunglasses all the time...day, night, tv, interviews. Ray Lewis wore a dark visor on his helmet...did he have social issues? Well, maybe a bad example lol, but you get the point. Plus, if Lynch had social issues, don't you think that would be known? That's a tough thing to keep secret while being in the spotlight.
Just call it what it is...Lynch is just bucking the system.
RE: its not just media day, he's been pulling this shit all season Â
Unapproved baseball caps, golden cleats, snubbing the media, etc. He's been poking the bear all season with that attention whore Richard Sherman egging him on all season. At least Sherman somewhat entertaining.
Lynch just comes off as a douche. Just shut the fuck up and do your job lime every other football player. Nobody else seems to have a problem doing these interviews but Lynch is awesome because he bucks the system? Come the fuck on. Grow up. He tests the NFL like my 7 year old tests me at dinner. I hope they fine the shit out of him just for being an immature prick.
What rule did he violate to warrant a fine ??
RE: RE: its not just media day, he's been pulling this shit all season Â
Unapproved baseball caps, golden cleats, snubbing the media, etc. He's been poking the bear all season with that attention whore Richard Sherman egging him on all season. At least Sherman somewhat entertaining.
Lynch just comes off as a douche. Just shut the fuck up and do your job lime every other football player. Nobody else seems to have a problem doing these interviews but Lynch is awesome because he bucks the system? Come the fuck on. Grow up. He tests the NFL like my 7 year old tests me at dinner. I hope they fine the shit out of him just for being an immature prick.
What rule did he violate to warrant a fine ??
Under the NFL Media Policy, , the player must simply be “available” to the media after every game. Last season and throughout this season he was violating this policy. So, yeah, he made himself available but acted like a child just because he had to do something he didn't want to do.
But you are missing the point. I’m pretty sure if I violate something in my company’s policy or in the contract I signed, I’d probably get docked, suspended or fired. In fact, I'm pretty sure anyone that acts like that while representing their company would likely get reprimanded. He's classless, immature, and unprofessional. I think it's hilarious that so many people here defend his actions. He's a child.
He showed up as per the contract. There is no issue here. If the media doesn't like his answers they should do a better job asking questions worth answering.
I'll say again...I hope more players follow his lead. It would be great for everyone involved except for the middle men that aren't needed anyway.
nothing admirable about what he's doing. re: blaming his response on the question - he gives the same stupid, childish answer to every question. If someone asks a dumb question, the appropriate response would be to point out the stupidity of the question.
it's part of his responsibilities. he's acting like an ignorant, classless child.
If every player decided to shun the media, the sport would probably be worth a bit less. Fortunately, you always have guys hungry for attention willing to dole out a quote - which makes Lynch's non-response trivial (and the arrogant outcry from some entitled sportswriters all the more silly).
The sportswriters' livelihoods aren't impaired because they can't get the typical cliches out of Lynch - this has actually given them more to write about than most players.
He showed up as per the contract. There is no issue here. If the media doesn't like his answers they should do a better job asking questions worth answering.
I'll say again...I hope more players follow his lead. It would be great for everyone involved except for the middle men that aren't needed anyway.
Wow, I guess the ignorance isn't just with the football players.
It's the media's fault b/c they don't like his answers? Just ask better questions? Seriously. Do you honestly think that Lynch would have suddenly answered the questions genuinely if, lol, the media asked better questions? In fact, don't answer that...I'm going to pretend that you know the answer to that.
I'll say it again...I hope he and more players get fined out the ass for acting immature and classless. Wah...poor Marshawn doesn't like the media so he's going to have a little tantrum every time he's forced to do something that's his responsibility anyway. Maybe he should have a little more appreciation for the "middle men" who are largely responsible for his fame and wealth.
And the drunk driving charge?
Buffalo gave him away for a 4th because he was nothing but trouble.
Imagine the local police chief, required as part of his job to talk to the media, standing up in front of a national TV audience and repeatedly answered every question "I'm here so I won't get fired."
Imagine the local police chief, required as part of his job to talk to the media, standing up in front of a national TV audience and repeatedly answered every question "I'm here so I won't get fired."
Not comparable. A RB isn't a cop.
What's the complaint anyway? Lynch showed up and fulfilled his media obligations according to the contract between the NFL and NFLPA.
Personally, I love it. His job is to play football, something he does very well. This week part of his job was to talk to the media, and he did. He spoke very loudly in his own way.
Hell, it's a media windfall because it's so unique. Good for him. It's the man's honest response.
We live in a society today that is nothing but gimmie gimmie gimmie and many no longer believe in working hard for what they earn and ignore their obligations. Many will sew their next door neighbor because they tripped over a rock they failed to remove from their sidewalk and broke a leg. It will get much worse too.
I wonder how Lynch would like it if Seattle simply decided not to pay him but didn't tell him until after the Superbowl.
Beyond that, I think it's wrong that if you speak to the media that you can't say whatever it is that's on your mind, truthfully. That includes thoughts and opinions of the league, including specific individuals and policies, refereeing, including specific individuals and decisions, religion, politics, whatever...
I can think of few things more offensive to me than someone not only being forced to talk but being forced to say specific things.
Regardless of whether athlete interviews are a waste of time or what not, other people's jobs depends on athlete's availability to the media.
The media is what makes the sport so popular and what allows Lynch to get millions of dollars for playing a kid's game anyway.
Acting like this to the media evokes a similar reaction out of me as when athletes are complete dicks to fans. Don't forget that the media and the fans are why you are grossly overpaid in comparison to the actual importance to society of your job. You make millions because you make others millions, and you only make others millions due to fans and the media.
So sack the fuck up and answer the questions.
Regardless of whether athlete interviews are a waste of time or what not, other people's jobs depends on athlete's availability to the media.
The media is what makes the sport so popular and what allows Lynch to get millions of dollars for playing a kid's game anyway.
Acting like this to the media evokes a similar reaction out of me as when athletes are complete dicks to fans. Don't forget that the media and the fans are why you are grossly overpaid in comparison to the actual importance to society of your job. You make millions because you make others millions, and you only make others millions due to fans and the media.
So sack the fuck up and answer the questions.
If someone's job counts on milking mundane quotes out of athletes that aren't trained public speakers so they can fill column inches, that person either needs to get better at their job or find another job. Lynch fulfilled his contractual obligation to be present at media day. It's not enough for you that he spent his time doing something he clearly didn't want to...now you want him to answer questions the way you'd like? If that's the case, why doesn't the NFL just give him a script?
The truth is that there is no need for the mission the media is attempting to accomplish through this relationship with players. The guys that actually break stories (like Glazer) are important and add to the experience. The people writing filler columns stocked with filler quotes in an attempt to "connect" the players to the fans have been made obsolete by social media. If Lynch wants to connect with the fans he can do it directly on his own. The middle man is not needed.
Whenever these athletes boycott the media they may not know it but they are basically saying FU to the fans. Lynch should just tell the hawks and the nfl he's not going to talk to the media at all and just get all the fines over with and save everyone a lot of time.
Like beningo says wait until these angry athletes and coaches that hated the media retire from the game and no one cares about them anymore--- many go running back to the same media outlets they antagonized earlier asking for a job.
The media is what makes the sport so popular and what allows Lynch to get millions of dollars for playing a kid's game anyway.
Can't believe I missed this little morsel of idiocy. The media is what makes the sport popular? Really? Not the athletes on the field but the gnawing little rats writing about them?
The media has too many employees with such low quality that I say good riddance to most of them. Everyone is a "reporter" or "journalist" now. They aren't quite as bad as paparazzi, but its getting there.
The media can go collectively jump off a bridge for all I care.
I didnt watch one minute of these interviews because frankly I dont care what any of them have to say. Does anyone even care about the game?
As for Greg in LI, BBI's resident angriest person alive, uh yes, of course the media is the reason the sport is as popular as it is today. And it's this popularity that affects revenue, and subsequently salary. How could someone even disagree with this? If media outlets didn't cover the NFL, do you think players would get paid as much as they do today?
If there's some sort of contentious issue or misinterpretation with the media, okay, I get being curt and short.
If you have a social anxiety disorder like Ricky Williams did, you shouldn't have to stand up there and get questioned.
But unless I'm missing something (maybe I am), Lynch is just being an asshole to be an asshole. Lame.
What about looking at it the other way? Why can't a reporter write a story without pestering Lynch for a quote?
I sincerely hope other athletes follow Lynch's lead and give reporters the choice of actually doing good work or obsolescence.
What about looking at it the other way? Why can't a reporter write a story without pestering Lynch for a quote?
I sincerely hope other athletes follow Lynch's lead and give reporters the choice of actually doing good work or obsolescence.
What I meant is that the media is the reason for the league's popularity. Lynch is popular because he's an awesome player to watch in the NFL. The NFL is as popular and lucrative as it is because of the media coverage it receives.
Dude makes more money than the vast majority of people will in their entire lives. It's too much to ask of him to not be a dick to reporters? At least give generic, boring answers, without coming off and acting like a total dick to the people who make the league you play in as popular as it is.
I wouldn't want to do it either. You'd never hear a peep out of me if I was in his spotlight.
Rather than the media making the NFL popular, I think it's the other way around. ESPN and its various clones wouldn't exist (at least not in their current forms) were it not for the NFL.
Here's the thing...the media hasn't given Lynch anything. If ESPN and its clones didn't exist I think the games would still be televised and draw ratings massive enough to generate Lynch's contract. But if Lynch and his colleagues weren't out there on Sundays there'd be less reason for the sports media to even exist in its current form.
And now I'm forced to agree with Greg. Great.
Well...if he decides to bitch and whine about getting fined, he can go to the media. But I doubt that he will do either...:)
Rather than the media making the NFL popular, I think it's the other way around. ESPN and its various clones wouldn't exist (at least not in their current forms) were it not for the NFL.
Here's the thing...the media hasn't given Lynch anything. If ESPN and its clones didn't exist I think the games would still be televised and draw ratings massive enough to generate Lynch's contract. But if Lynch and his colleagues weren't out there on Sundays there'd be less reason for the sports media to even exist in its current form.
No offense, but saying sports media wouldn't exist if there weren't any sports is a little...obvious?
And football is a great game, but we both know that all sports leagues increase their value by marketing personalities - fans root for a team, but relate to and like players.
For example, there will always be Giants fans, but would Giant jerseys (#13) be selling like they are if Beckham weren't a) a hyper-talented athlete; and b) hyped daily by the media?
The game will always be the game, but the media amplifies it - to say that some of the NFL's value isn't owed to the media would be incorrect.
And while I agree that it's obvious the sports media wouldn't exist without sports, that doesn't seem to be obvious to many people here. Reading some of these posts you'd get the sense that the media themselves are signing Lynch's game checks.
I don't think the media is as important in the relationship anymore, or even important at all. Take ESPN and their ilk off the air and people will still watch and rewatch, because they are no longer reliant on ESPN to deliver highlights. People are their own reporters now...a phenomenon we see on YouTube, Reddit, and right here on BBI.
A throwaway story from a reporter at the Seattle Post Intelligencer doesn't fit into that dynamic anymore.
Yes, the large networks that televise the games. Theirs are the contracts that are paying the players. The games are the commodity.
In ESPN's example, they pay the players with the money they spend for the right to air Monday Night Football. But Marshawn Lynch isn't seeing money because they called him a beast on Cold Pizza or whatever garbage ESPN is currently passing for programming. And if ESPN decides not to pay for MNF in the future because players won't talk, fine. Someone will be there waiting to offer the NFL double for MNF.
The networks that air the games matter, but they only matter while the games are on. No one is going to stop watching if the networks change...this was proven when CBS lost the NFC games to an upstart FOX network.
The demand for the games themselves is inelastic, the rest doesn't matter.
Quote:
sense has fragmented, but the large networks remain key to the NFL not only in terms of distribution, but in terms of profitability. To say there isn't a direct link between those contracts and player compensation is to ignore reality.
Yes, the large networks that televise the games. Theirs are the contracts that are paying the players. The games are the commodity.
In ESPN's example, they pay the players with the money they spend for the right to air Monday Night Football. But Marshawn Lynch isn't seeing money because they called him a beast on Cold Pizza or whatever garbage ESPN is currently passing for programming. And if ESPN decides not to pay for MNF in the future because players won't talk, fine. Someone will be there waiting to offer the NFL double for MNF.
The networks that air the games matter, but they only matter while the games are on. No one is going to stop watching if the networks change...this was proven when CBS lost the NFC games to an upstart FOX network.
The demand for the games themselves is inelastic, the rest doesn't matter.
You need only look at the group of people complaining the most about this to see who needs who more. Based on what I'm seeing, the biggest complaints about Lynch are coming from the sports pages of the dying newspaper industry.
Marshawn Lynch makes his money because broadcast rights for the NFL are worth billions of dollars, which would be the case if the entire sports writing industry collapsed tomorrow. As long as the games are on TV and people are gambling on them or playing fantasy football, the NFL will print money.
I may not agree with the rule, but its still a rule. Marshawn continues to, purposely and knowingly, defy the rules and fly in the face of the NFL. He's bringing all of this shit on himself.
You dont like the rules? Who gives a shit. I dont like all the rules at my job but im not childish enough to continually mock those rules in public. And if i did then i probably wouldnt have that job much longer.
Isnt this the same guy who drove a Lamborghini to a club and roped it off to keep people away? Yeah, sounds like a real grounded person. This guy is an uber douche that never progressed past the age of 8.
I may not agree with the rule, but its still a rule. Marshawn continues to, purposely and knowingly, defy the rules and fly in the face of the NFL. He's bringing all of this shit on himself.
You dont like the rules? Who gives a shit. I dont like all the rules at my job but im not childish enough to continually mock those rules in public. And if i did then i probably wouldnt have that job much longer.
Isnt this the same guy who drove a Lamborghini to a club and roped it off to keep people away? Yeah, sounds like a real grounded person. This guy is an uber douche that never progressed past the age of 8.
What rule did he violate?
Lynch just comes off as a douche. Just shut the fuck up and do your job lime every other football player. Nobody else seems to have a problem doing these interviews but Lynch is awesome because he bucks the system? Come the fuck on. Grow up. He tests the NFL like my 7 year old tests me at dinner. I hope they fine the shit out of him just for being an immature prick.
I do not know if this is the case with Lynch. It may not be. But I do know I wouldn't automatically call someone a dick or an asshole just because they don't like talking with people. Not everyone is going to be the social butterfly, even if it is mandated as part of the job.
I do not know if this is the case with Lynch. It may not be. But I do know I wouldn't automatically call someone a dick or an asshole just because they don't like talking with people. Not everyone is going to be the social butterfly, even if it is mandated as part of the job.
Ummm, no. It's a nice thought but I don't believe for one second that it's "social issues." Someone with social issues isn't going to sit there and repeat the same line (a line mocking the NFL) for every question while also mocking the media. He was being a smart ass. Don't know that's not completely transparent to you. Have you even seen the video?
And sunglasses? Really? Tons of people where sunglasses all the time...day, night, tv, interviews. Ray Lewis wore a dark visor on his helmet...did he have social issues? Well, maybe a bad example lol, but you get the point. Plus, if Lynch had social issues, don't you think that would be known? That's a tough thing to keep secret while being in the spotlight.
Just call it what it is...Lynch is just bucking the system.
Lynch just comes off as a douche. Just shut the fuck up and do your job lime every other football player. Nobody else seems to have a problem doing these interviews but Lynch is awesome because he bucks the system? Come the fuck on. Grow up. He tests the NFL like my 7 year old tests me at dinner. I hope they fine the shit out of him just for being an immature prick.
What rule did he violate to warrant a fine ??
Quote:
Unapproved baseball caps, golden cleats, snubbing the media, etc. He's been poking the bear all season with that attention whore Richard Sherman egging him on all season. At least Sherman somewhat entertaining.
Lynch just comes off as a douche. Just shut the fuck up and do your job lime every other football player. Nobody else seems to have a problem doing these interviews but Lynch is awesome because he bucks the system? Come the fuck on. Grow up. He tests the NFL like my 7 year old tests me at dinner. I hope they fine the shit out of him just for being an immature prick.
What rule did he violate to warrant a fine ??
Under the NFL Media Policy, , the player must simply be “available” to the media after every game. Last season and throughout this season he was violating this policy. So, yeah, he made himself available but acted like a child just because he had to do something he didn't want to do.
But you are missing the point. I’m pretty sure if I violate something in my company’s policy or in the contract I signed, I’d probably get docked, suspended or fired. In fact, I'm pretty sure anyone that acts like that while representing their company would likely get reprimanded. He's classless, immature, and unprofessional. I think it's hilarious that so many people here defend his actions. He's a child.
He showed up as per the contract. There is no issue here. If the media doesn't like his answers they should do a better job asking questions worth answering.
I'll say again...I hope more players follow his lead. It would be great for everyone involved except for the middle men that aren't needed anyway.
it's part of his responsibilities. he's acting like an ignorant, classless child.
The sportswriters' livelihoods aren't impaired because they can't get the typical cliches out of Lynch - this has actually given them more to write about than most players.
He showed up as per the contract. There is no issue here. If the media doesn't like his answers they should do a better job asking questions worth answering.
I'll say again...I hope more players follow his lead. It would be great for everyone involved except for the middle men that aren't needed anyway.
Wow, I guess the ignorance isn't just with the football players.
It's the media's fault b/c they don't like his answers? Just ask better questions? Seriously. Do you honestly think that Lynch would have suddenly answered the questions genuinely if, lol, the media asked better questions? In fact, don't answer that...I'm going to pretend that you know the answer to that.
I'll say it again...I hope he and more players get fined out the ass for acting immature and classless. Wah...poor Marshawn doesn't like the media so he's going to have a little tantrum every time he's forced to do something that's his responsibility anyway. Maybe he should have a little more appreciation for the "middle men" who are largely responsible for his fame and wealth.