“COSTAS NOW”, Sports Media, & Racial Minefields
April 30, 2008
Last night Bob Costas held a Town Hall meeting on Sports Media on HBO. Five separate segments included sports radio, sports blogging, tv coverage, athletes and media, and race in sports. Here are some initial thoughts:
Overall the show was decent and refreshing with its first two segments on Talk Radio and Sports Blogging being its best while steadily declining from there. Let’s tackle each segment in descending order with the last segment which was by far and away the worst of the evening.
Segment 5 - SPORTS AND RACE:
The subject couldn’t be more important, so it’s good that Costas recognized as much. The credit ends there. Of all the people in the world, Costas chose to have Jason Whitlock on his panel. I guess that a sportswriter who likes to blame hip-hop for all our society’s ills and refers to young black men who break the law as the “Black KKK” deserves a serious forum. Costas gave us a prime Whitlock quote, admitted that Whitlock spoke for him, and then went on to complain multiple times about all the “minefields” a white sports journalist faces in the discussion of race. Poor Costas lamented that he could never get away with making the same Whitlock statement. Of course, the problem is that WHITLOCK himself should not be allowed to get away with half his statements.
Did He Say That?Shockingly, Costas believes that Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds have been treated equally by the media. He also doesn’t point out that it is the media itself (Game of Shadows authors; ESPN; Sports Illustrated, etc.) that investigated Bonds at every turn, while it was outside forces like “the Mitchell Report” and Congress that exposed Clemens. Only when many media members were backed into a corner did we get any reaction. And even still, half of them turned into legal analysts never seen before during previous Bonds’ discussions. (Note: The New York Daily News is the only media exception)
But back to Costas’ whining about the plight of the white journalist who has to navigate these minefields to discuss the topic. This needs to be explained slow. There are no minefields that haven’t been created by most journalists themselves. Sports Illustrated website’s Dave Zirin is white and has no problem talking about race. He frequently points out racism whenever he sees it. Sports Illustrated’s Gary Smith is white and often indirectly addresses race in complex and nuanced ways in his articles. ESPN’s Wright Thompson writes about race, most notably one of the few sportswriters to tackle the Genarlow Wilson case back in 2006 and again this year after his release from prison. I’m white, and I write about race all the time — and I’m sure I’ve messed up the subject more than once, will take my lumps if I happen to get it wrong, and will continue to try my best to get it right.
But of course, what Costas really meant to say is that white journalists face “minefields” when either talking negatively about black athletes or pointing out racism against whites. Now, I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve heard this petty complaint many times from white friends and colleagues throughout my life, and here is your answer Mr. Costas and it starts with this Michael Wilbon statement on your show:
“White men, specifically, do not get absolved of the responsibility of writing about race in this culture. It’s an obligation to engage the reader”
In your show, Charles Barkely also added: “White reporters don’t want to talk about race”. Wilbon and Barkely are both correct. But outside of a just a handful, how many white journalists consistently tackle racism in their columns? How many white journalists are willing to take the vitriolic comments that accompany ESPN’s comment sections every time a black journalist addresses a perceived racial injustice without support of their white colleagues? How many white journalists today would have stood up for Muhammad Ali in the 1960’s as Howard Cosell did, and risk their journalistic career in the process?
The Silence is Deafening: And here lies the fundamental problem with today’s “good” white journalist: SILENCE. Silence… about Barry Bonds’ longstanding biased media treatment; about Pacman Jones getting top website billing every other week even when he gets traffic tickets; about Michael Vick getting two months of 24/7 coverage while Tim Donaghy and Chris Benoit fade into oblivion; about the unconscionable Sean Taylor coverage; about the media’s practice of ignoring enormous positive contribution of black athletes; or about the consistent privileges of white athletes. Mr. Costas, it not “political correctness” but rather silence that creates these minefields for the white sports journalist.
Let’s be clear: There is no minefield in expressing a strong opinion favoring ”the Duke boys” in the rape case, as long as a strong record already exists of equal and early condemnation and coverage in cases like Marcus Dixon, Genarlow Wilson, and the Jena 6. But when the white sports journalist has selective outrage in a sea of media bias against the black athlete, then EVEN IF THAT JOURNALIST IS CORRECT in their individual assessment, they have shown their true colors. …And deserve to get blown up on that landmine. The white journalist today does not need better command of their words to discuss race, they need better consistency.
Finally, you should be applauded for attempting to tackle the subject of sports and race. I believe your intentions were good. And you should be applauded for agreeing to hold another 90 minute forum in the near future on race which you called “America’s most complicated issue”. But since you know the issue is complicated, then you first remove individuals like Jason Whitlock on your panel who dumb down the discussion; add folks like D.K. Wilson to your panel who has recently written about race more than any other journalist, and finally, look to lead a new era of accountability around race and the white sports journalist.
Segment 4 - Athletes and Reporters:
This segment focused on the erosion of trust between the two. Some quick notes:
– After Selena Roberts explains all the hurdles she had to go through before being rejected a 10 minute interview for a “positive” piece on Lebron James, Tiki Barber correctly points out that Lebron has no way of knowing that it will be positive.
– John MaCenroe wonders why moguls and owners can make billions in one year and no one care, but get upset with the relative peanuts that athletes make. The perspective was appreciated.
Segment 3 - SPORTS and TV:
– Best Line– Al Michaels: “It’s who can yell the loudest. It’s almost like gasbags on parade”. I’m sure that Michael didn’t have Jay Mariotti, Woody Paige, or Skip Bayless in mind…
– Scariest Line– NBC Prez: “You have to remember ESPN is the most profitable network in the history of entertainment communications”. Let that one soak in a bit as he adds: “It’s abusiness run by the Golden Rule: He who has the gold, rules”.
– The Party Line– Mike Tirico held it. He wasn’t about to be candid about his ESPN employers while adding “if it doesn’t work, there is 1000 other options to move”. Uh, Mike please inform us of those 1000 other options? And even if the statement were true, it is a complete Jerry Springeresque copout. It suggests that ESPN should bot be held to any level of social accountabilty. Perhaps ESPN should now broadcast nude mud wrestling, and those who don’t like it can simply change the channel.
Segment 2 - SPORTS BLOGGING:
The fireworks between Buzz Bissinger (Pulitzer Prize winning author of “Friday Night Lights”) and DeadSpin’s Will Leitch stole the show for the evening. It started early as Bissinger told Leitch the he was “full of shit” and continued on from there. Bissinger was clearly out to take Leitch to task in what highlighted many divides: print media vs. blogging; old guard vs. new jacks; and responsible journalism vs. pictures of Matt Leinart doing beer funnels. I’m sure the sports blogosphere will have a lot to say on this episode.
– On Bissinger:I do share Bissinger’s concern that blogging — like talk radio — may end up representing “the complete dumbing down of our society”. Beyond his attack on Leitch some, yet not enough distinction was made between DeadSpin and the rest of the blogosphere. I’m afraid that Bissinger and HBO viewers unfamiliar with blogland would believe that DeadSpin represents all bloggers… and I hope that is not the case. I would hope that somone communicates to Bissinger that there are some places where snarky titles, drunk athletes, and big breasts are not the standard operating procedure.
– The Missed Opportunity:Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards was also on the panel, and Costas missed a prime opportunity. As I’ve written before Edwards is a community hero who had pledged $1 million to fund college scholarships for 100 youth. I was waiting for Costas to ask Leitch if he used his considerable platform to post any positive stories on Edwards when finished with the Leinart stories. The question never came…
Segment 1 - TALK RADIO:
Overall I liked this segment because it discussed how talk radio thrives on negativity. This is no news flash, but at least Chris Russo admitted it. It was also fun to see Michael Strahan take on Russo for saying one thing to him on the air and then shredding him after he got off.
– Best Line- Michael Strahan to Chris Russo: “The last time you had a uniform on is when you were trick or treating when you were five.”
– Funny Moment- Don’t know if anyone caught this, but toward the end of the segment, Russo went to give Strahan a Hi-5, Strahan didn’t reciprocate (he may not have seen it), and Russo tried to play it off.
– Pot, Meet Kettle: Jay Mariotti says of talk radio: “In this town it’s trash and too often it dips into mindlessness when you are in this great sports city filled with people who like to think and debate sports.”… “It just doesn’t have to be so dumb, stupid, and lowbrow.”…Of course, r is correct, but is still shocking coming from his mouth. I suppose all radio listeners should seek some prime sports intellectual stimulation as Jay thoughtfully pontificates on “Around-the-Horn”.
– Why is Mitch Albom on a panel talking about ethical journalism and credentials? While I’ll let D-Wil fill folks in on Albom’s past indiscretions, Albom stated that print media has seen more anger and meanness due to pressure from talk radio… how true.
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13 Responses to ““COSTAS NOW”, Sports Media, & Racial Minefields”
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MODI,
The problem with Costas is that he’s Old Media trying (and failing) to relate to New Media issues with an Old Media mentality. Look at his panel, all Old Media, and that includes Letich, who was never a maverick, he was just looking for a opportunity to sell out. Bottom Line, he doesn’t want to really talk about race and sports because he really doesn’t want to hear from guys like dwil, Zirin, MIzzo, or you. Keep on with the dog and pony shows, bring in Mantan (Wilbon) and Sleep-N-Eat (Whitlock), but don’t be fooled, especially when Mitch Albom is involved.
Anybody see this article about Karl Malone?
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/columns/story/334471.html
That’s a real problem.
Great post MODI.
But, your post cuts off on the left margin. I don’t know if this a problem with my computer or something with the site.
He had Whitlock on his show? To talk about race?
More like “It’s so hard for a reporter to talk about race (or religion, or gender, or…)” …without making a fool of themselves. We all have blind spots. But one either first shares the column with some broadminded friends from other cultures, to make sure that those blind spots are not showing up, or one does not take on risky stories where you cannot make any type of judgment because one does not know the whole story. How hard is that?!
des, I agree with everything in your post except the part about Costas “wanting to talk about race”. I believe that he genuinely does, but is just so completely out of touch that he is really the wrong guy to be facilitating this forum. I mean how can any responsible journalist have Whitlock on their race panel? Has Costas ever read his all-star weekend column? His Jena 6 column? His Sean Taylor column? Etc. Etc. Etc.
– Big man, WOW that article is some serious shit. Just wow. Fucked up. Was he holding that one for for a rainy day when Clemens was accused of shit. …yeah, i don’t why the post cuts off, I might change the order of the paragraphs and see what happens…
– MC, well said and agreed.
– Big man, 13… wow!
D@MN……………..so Malone and Clemens were on that sick R-kelly mess huh??
Origin,
Karl Malone should be picked up right now and put in prison….period.
Modi,
Great job summing all that up….and I would lie and say I’m shocked that Whitlock was on the panel…but…I’m too tired to pretend.
des,
Whitlock ain’t Sleep-N-Eat, more like Eat-N-Eat. (-:
(Ok, that was wrong)
Modi, I agree, I don’t think Costas is the person to moderate a forum on race or any sports forum for that matter. On matters of race Costas mirrors most white america, he does not have a f***ing clue. He drools over McWorther, so that give you an idea of his outlook on sports.
Besides the athletes and writer/announcers, you need someone(s) on the panel from academia. And not just sports sociology, but sociology in general. Athletes can talk about their experience with race, or their teammates experiences. But I would like to see a sociologist elucidate on the racial attitudes in sports, and connect those attitudes to that of the society at large.
Imhotep,
“But I would like to see a sociologist elucidate on the racial attitudes in sports, and connect those attitudes to that of the society at large.”
Which soliologists would you have in mind? I would expect Harry Edwards and Richard Lapchick to be on any responsible panel… but I know that you are looking beyond sports…
BTW, if Costas drools over McWhorter, then that explains a lot… But even if he shares McWhorter’s ideology… it is still ridiculous that he could claim that Bonds and clemens have received equal media treatment when all of Clemens exposes came fro outside media (besides the NY Daily News)
————
Okay Miranda, I’m not shocked Whitlock was on the panel, just so very dissappointed…
MODI, Yes, I’m looking beyond sports. But I do not know of a non sport sociologist to recommend. Harry Edwards is a must for any panel discussion on race, sports and society. I must confess, I’m not familar with Lapchick’s work.