MONTREAL, QC — There was an interesting sub-plot on Thursday during the Canadiens teleconference. For some in the mainstream media, it seemed to overtake their focus.
After waiting all summer, what could be more important than the signing of the team’s number one goaltender?
Turf.
Change is often a difficult thing for people accept, especially when sharing is involved. Remember when that new sibling was added to the family? Since the teleconference we have been exposed to displays of petty jealousy, plenty of pouting and cries akin to “Mom, get him out of my room.” Sound familiar?
The controversy was ignited by an unlikely fellow named Launy Schwartz. On his website Hockey54, he is described as “a professional TV and radio journalist, with over 25 years of hockey experience.” On Thursday, Schwartz participated in the Canadiens teleconference as Carey Price fielded questions on his new contract from the media.
The reaction from the Montreal mainstream media was swift and direct, “We don’t like your kind around here.”
It’s all part of a bigger issue. You see, a battle has erupted in the hockey world, off the ice. It’s between “bloggers” and the “mainstream media.”
Who’s a blogger and who’s mainstream? That’s a good question. The lines are becoming blurred.
In the Edmonton Journal article, King of Hockey Coverage on the Internet, All Habs was ranked number 12 alongside folks from TSN, ESPN and Hockey Night in Canada. New media and traditional media side-by-side at the top of the list. The times they are a changin’.
Steve Simmons, a columnist at the Toronto Sun, followed a recent public rant against bloggers by saying that Elliotte Friedman is the only blogger that has earned his respect. If Friedman, who cashes cheques from the CBC, is considered a blogger, then all traditional definitions are out the window.
But maybe that’s the point. While the traditional media would like to insist on a defined hierarchy, the structures regarding the collection and dissemination of information (including sports) are flattening.
It isn’t exclusive to hockey nor is it a new phenomenon. In trying to discredit 24-hour cable news channels, network news organizations argued to protect exclusive domains, in their words, to preserve quality. Despite the opposition, CNN launched on June 1, 1980, and the landscape hasn’t been the same since.
A similar renewal is underway now. Some stakeholders are fighting to keep what they deem as indivisible territory.
Read carefully this circular argument given by a member of the MSM when trying to define a Canadiens journalist. He said, “A journalist around the Montreal Canadiens would come from being around the club, having a sense of what is going on in the room, and you’re able not only to hear the words that are being spoken but you’re able to interpret them a little bit and able to analyze them a little bit.”
So, in his opinion, you can’t be a Canadiens journalist unless you’re in the dressing room. Team rules state that you can’t get into the dressing room if you’re an internet-only journalist. Therefore, status quo reigns.
In his August 26 column titled “NHL teams want bloggers banned from visitors dressing rooms,” Greg Wyshynski reported that certain influential teams like the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers wanted new rules restricting admission to press boxes and dressing rooms by credentialed bloggers. Essentially, the teams wanted the league to implement a two-tiered access policy differentiating between bloggers and other journalists.
It should be noted that more than one hundred bloggers have been accredited by NHL teams with the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders and Nashville Predators being a few of the progressive teams in recognizing the new media.
Whatever the views of the hardliners towards bloggers, they seem downright mild when compared to the attitudes of traditional media. Some would prefer drawing a line in the sand and would declare “over my dead body” at the hint of any invasion of “their room and their stuff.”
Such is the atmosphere that framed Thursday’s media session with Price. Schwartz was chum in the water and the sharks attacked. Come to think of it, calling the Montreal media predators of the deep glorifies their actions.
Let’s be more accurate. What transpired was a form of bullying.
Dave Stubbs from the Gazette was the most subtle of the pack suggesting that Schwartz join the Canadiens fan club. Others were far more blunt.
Stubbs’ colleague, Mike Boone delivered this message via Twitter, “How the hell did that clown get on? CH media rottweilers asleep at the gate?”
Tony Marinaro from the Team 990 tweeted, “The reporter/goalie/fan on Carey Price conf call was ridiculous. Carey u were unlucky, u have potential. Embarassing and very sad.”
What was Schwartz’s crime? It seems that had not been properly indoctrinated. Rather than repeat the media mantra “Carey bad — Jaro good”, Schwartz prefaced his first question by saying that during the season Price had been “overly criticized by a lot of people in the media.”
That is absolutely true. While Price played extremely well early in the season (earning the Molson Cup for the months of October and November) listening to the media you get the impression it was a disaster.
Where I would disagree with Schwartz is when he said that Price “had a spectacular season.” He didn’t.
The truth is the I don’t know Mr. Schwartz. I’m sure that he doesn’t need me to defend him. Nor do I agree him on all counts.
I certainly wouldn’t have approached the teleconference the same way he did. His self-described style is “unconventional.” Quite!
But I do defend his right to be there, especially when he wasn’t the worst media performer on the day.
For the record, Schwartz’s first question of Price was, “How did it feel having prominent players like Mike Cammalleri and Maxim Lapierre come out and say they need to play better in front of you this season?”
Good question. It evoked this well-quoted response from Price who said, “For me personally, I know that I have to play better. I’m not putting the onus on anyone else. It’s something that I will have to do.”
It was a good question followed by a good answer.
Contrast that with this one that wins my award for the most irrelevant question of the day. A member of the Montreal media asked, “What was your first reaction when Halak was traded?”
The reporter was Tony Marinaro. Apparently Marinaro didn’t realize that it’s been two-and-a-half months since Jaroslav Halak was traded. It was the single most important question in his mind to ask on the day that Price signed his new two-year deal. It was not an award-winning journalistic moment.
Marinaro has milked the so-called goalie controversy on his radio show for a year now. It seems that he can’t bring himself to let his cash cow go, even though the chocolate milk lover is now in Missouri.
While many listeners were outraged with Marinaro’s question, others contacted me to complain about the reporter who asked Price about his rodeo experience. Again, it was not something for the professional portfolio.
Schwartz had two more opportunities to pose questions. He asked Price about his training techniques and if there was anything specific he had been working on over the summer. No problems there.
When the Montreal media had run out of semi-polite things to say, Schwartz asked a question about Price’s gear. Given the new rules regarding goalie equipment that are in effect this season and the changes in colour schemes to Price’s gear last season, this seemed like a reasonable question as well.
For some reason, this question really irritated the traditional media folks. It wasn’t the time nor the place to ask something like that, they said. But apparently, it was the ideal time to ask about a trade that happened on June 17 in which Price wasn’t involved?
Boone was the most critical with his remarks. He said, “I think it was embarrassing. It was a total fellatio festival. The guy is ridiculous. If he wants to talk to Price that way let him show up at an autograph signing.”
“I’ve never heard anything like it. It was uninformative and ridiculous,” concluded Boone.
But, of course, Boone was being disingenuous. He watches Canadiens games on RDS and has been critical about their love-fests with Guillaume Latendresse and other players. It’s not uncommon to hear effusive praise during player interviews. What Schwartz said wasn’t even in the same ballpark in terms of over-the-top praise.
Boone was the most vociferous critic of Schwartz. I found it ironic that he was very concerned that Habs bloggers would now argue for greater access.
“It’s opened the doors to Canadiens blogs,” he said.
Boone’s twitter name is @habsblogger.
With all the heavy artillery aimed at Schwartz, the elephant in the room named Michel Godbout went unaddressed. Godbout was the journalist who tweeted “a very very reliable source close to Carey Price says the goalie wants 3 million per or he’s going on strike. Habs listening?”
The same afternoon of the Price signing, Andie Bennett on the Team 990 was commenting on the bogus report about Price “going on strike”. Bennett said, “It was probably some guy in his parent’s basement tweeting in his underwear.”
I’m not sure what Godbut wears behind the anchor desk but we’re certain that the CBC-Montreal studios are not in his parent’s basement. As we know now, Godbout’s exclusive story was false and Bennett’s assumption was out to lunch.
Bennett’s comments revealed a obvious lack of respect for the work of the new media. Her use of a stereotype was flippant and uninformed. She assumed that a falsified story must have originated from the blogosphere. Yet Godbout is a member of the mainstream media.
Think back to what was reported to be the worst scandal in Canadiens history. We were told by the MSM that members of the Habs were caught up in mobster activity. It turned out to be nonsense. Police found no evidence of criminal activity yet there were never any apologies or retractions.
Yet the incident that raised the hackles of the traditional media is that a guy named Launy Schwartz who was overzealous complimenting Price prior to asking three very relevant questions.
This piece is not intended to single out a group of traditional media. I listen to and appear on the Team 990. I read Habs Inside/Out.
It’s simply to restore some balance after three journalists came out guns a-blazin’ against a avant-garde journalist for a very minor offense. Perhaps if they policed their own ranks with the same zeal, they could rein in some of the worst offenders. And they are numerous.
The aggressive nature of their attack indicates that they feel threatened. While people like Stubbs, Boone and Mitch Melnick have nothing to worry about, perhaps others are nervous. If this current media transformation is allowed to proceed without interference or restrictions by the NHL or individual teams, the fans will be the benefactors with greater choice, more interaction and better quality information.
The whole bloggers vs. mainstream media is not a dispute I’m inclined to join. I have a job to do, and I work very hard at it. Fortunately people have responded to my approach.
While there are some old dogs who aren’t ready to share their bone, I have met wonderful people on both sides. (Frankly, I don’t see sides.) I just wish we could introduce reason, tolerance and mutual respect into this evolving relationship.
I tend to agree with the approach of Rick Springhetti of McKeen’s Hockey who says, “Personally, I don`t consider the difference between MSM and blogs. I read the people I enjoy reading period.”
Good advice, isn’t it?
Don’t forget richard labbée brought up the ‘on strike’ issue too. This is the same hack that still won’t stand behind his lies and innuendo regarding the Kostitsyn brothers.
That’s a good point moeman. I mentioned in the article that the media haven’t issued an apology given the false story about the Kostitsyns and Hamrlik. Not only haven’t they retracted the story but they continue to repeat it as if it was true.
“25 years of hockey experience” – Well I don’t think Launy is more than 30, so…
No disrespect to Launy, as I have got to know him a bit over the last year or so. But I find it an amazing coincidence that he is a finalist on The Score’s “Gillette Drafted 2” contest, which starts in a couple weeks.
Perhaps a bit of a publicity stunt.? Did he get his creds on his own, or did he mention The Score to the Habs media relations, then fail to acknowledge The Score during the call?
Overall the questions were reasonably acceptable, but the “as a fellow” goalie remark was a tad off in my opinion. I play goal as well and have interviewed or spoke to several current/former NHL goalies, both on and off record, and would never consider myself a “goalie” to their level.
Hey Kevin,
I’m 32 and been in goal since I was 6. I especially try and relate to goalies since few media can. I am a professional goalie instructor, and I feel that my experience in the field allows me to get it to it on to the technical level.
If Ryan Miller gives me permission to relate to him in such a fashion, I think that trumps the MSMs position on how I apporoach my fellow goalies.
As for the Score reference, they have nothing to do with my access to Habs press releases. I got that all on my own over a year and a half ago.
Glad we still have lots to talk about Kev. You’re a good man sir.
The Schwartz
bottom line is: these MSM guys who have been around for a while don’t like the idea of young people coming in and shaking things up and getting attention. these guys put in years and years of hard work to get to where they are, and quite frankly think it’s unfair that journalists can bypass that these days. it’s always hard to draw a concrete line between blogger/fan/journalist, so until they find a way to do it, it’s easier to just shut out anything that’s out of the ordinary or not mainstream. it’s not right, it’s just the way it is. and the fact of the matter is that mainstream media will have to find a way to embrace these new forms eventually.
kevin… not that it is any one’s business, but launy is almost 33 and has played hockey since he was 5 years old. been a goalie since he was 6.
this had nothing to do with the score. he didn’t even know tony would bring it up on the show. and to my knowledge the score had no idea any of this happened.
hockey54.com has had creds with the habs for about a year and a half now. pretty much every day receive stuff from dominick sallaint et al from the habs media relations. and hockey54.com was fully credentialled by nhl at the nhl awards. launy doesn’t need the score to get in with the nhl and its teams. he’s done that on our own – long, long before ever being named a finalist or even applying to the show.
to say to price “as a fellow goalie”… really? that seems out of line? a goalie is a goalie. actually, that is what ryan miller told launy in vegas, in an interview that you can see on hockey54.com. ryan told launy not to consider himself any less of a goalie than ryan, and that if someone is a goalie it doesn’t matter what level he is at – he is a goalie nonetheless. launy NEVER said as a goalie of equal calibre. he said as a fellow goalie.
just because a person may not be as good a person as you or i, is it then reasonable to say that person shouldn’t be allowed to refer to himself as my fellow man or fellow human?
as a journalist myself, who has worked for the cbc and many major media outlets, i have heard many journalists relate to their subjects during interviews… if anything that is a good technique to make your subject more comfortable speaking with you.
and if anyone wants to think of this as a publicity stunt – even though it isn’t – that is fine, because launy is a great interviewer, many nhlers really like him, and quite frankly, he deserves the publicity.
Dahlia, you know I like the work you guys do and no disrespect intended, but as a journalist you sure don’t like to capitalize your sentences where needed? ;P
I posted my initial post in a bit of haste, before I had a chance to hear Launy’s rebuttal on TheTeam990 afterwards.
No disrespect to Launy either, but when an NHLer has no idea where he’s coming from, it sorta puts them on the spot.
In the case of Ryan Miller and Brodeur, he was face-to-face in a more relaxed position (NHL Awards) where interviews can be a bit more loose.
I’ve beeen playing longer than Launy and coached as well, but I wouldn’t dare ask Mike Keenan an “as one coach to another” question.
My other question for Launy is, if you’ve had creds with the Habs for 18 months, where were you before?? Just seemed to convenient in the timing that you suddenly caught the MSM offguard.
Of course, that’s only my opinion. I could be wrong.
hey kevin… when i comment in a blog, i’m not writing journalism. i differentiate. when a supermarket employee shops while off-duty, he usually wouldn’t wear his uniform, would he ;P
launy hasn’t called into the habs teleconference before because of a couple reasons: 1. there’s not always a need and 2. for teleconferences of any sort, we often get one of our writers to call in. launy was about to write an article, got the e-mail that price would be doing a call, and decided that would make for a great story. i’m flattered you credit him with the cleverness for such a “publicity stunt”… but in all honesty, this will probably have zero effect on the whole score thing, so what does it matter.
i still disagree with you about the goalie/coach identification thing. launy and i have talked with many nhl coaches, players, management, owners… i’ve compared my dad – as a coach – to the coaches… launy has talked “goalie-to-goalie” with several players… not only are they cool with it, but they welcome it. whether in-person or on the phone, i don’t see much of a difference.
what’s more, the montreal media relations have no issue with launy or how he presented himself.
finally, i was in earshot of launy during his entire conference call. trust me, his intent was not to catch the msm off-guard. if anything, it caught launy TOTALLY off-guard that they were so taken aback by the whole situation.
quite honestly, i think it’s a montreal media thing. and i use the word media lightly, because they are far from what i would consider professional “media”…
and if you want capitalization and proper grammar to the max – just check out any of my articles, whether published by the star, another major daily, or by me.
of course we all have our opinions. at least us “bloggers” can discuss them as grown-ups would.
thanks kevin:)
What a shock, isn’t it? The MSM is once again chewing out “one of them”.
If anyone has embarrased themselves through this, it’s the old guard MSM, who, as you correctly point out, are now baring their teeth in an effort to protect what they see as rightfully theirs.
Launy Schwartz managed to ‘infiltrate’ their inner sanctum, and the reaction was not pretty.
Yawn.
I don’t expect anything different from a group who are slowly but surely losing their iron-fist control over the minds of sports fans.
Boone’s over-the-top criticism of Schwartz was certainly unmerited, and frankly I’m a little surprised that he’d be so nasty.
All we can be certain of is that the tighter they squeeze to hold on to “their turf”, the more turf will actually slip through their fingers.
You’re right Kyle. The behaviour of the MSM was unprofessional and disturbing. The vicious attacks stemmed from the fact that they didn’t like Schwartz’s style. Yet they have been consistently silent on far worse misconduct within their own ranks.
Odd that the MSMs are usual less on the attack when the season is on?
They need to sell papers, get blog hits and in some cases sell books. So drawing attention in what used to be the dead period for hockey journalists can now be beneficial.
Bravo.
I liked the goalie guy. He was refreshing. And gearheads really do want to know that stuff. There’s a whole set of websites, forums, etc that are full of goalies wanting to know these things!
Surprised Hickey wasn’t there. If he was he didn’t say anything that I recall… Or maybe he was too busy writting double-snark in the local newspaper about Price’s new salary like Price is some bottom-of-the-barrel goaltender. What’s he going to do now that his precious Jaro is gone to St.Louis, I don’t know.
It’s funny eh? Only they’re allowed to take sides and act all fanboy-y when it’s their own favourites…
You’re right Number31. There are several popular websites devoted to gearheads who eat up that kind of information like The Goalie Guild and InGoal Magazine. The goalie equipment changes make the question especially relevant.
I recall that HabsI/O was crowing about exclusive photos last season of Price’s new mask design. Funny how equipment seemed to be newsworthy then.
Your last point is excellent. We have all heard the MSM fawning over their favorites. Schwartz did little more than shine a mirror in their direction and they didn’t like what they saw.
The world is changing and the old guard in the media don’t like it.
It sounds like the blogger was asking good questions. Isn’t that all that should matter?
Good comment. That’s what SHOULD matter most.
Excellent piece. And what I just read here was a perfect example of why the mainstream media should NOT look down on bloggers. Just look at the way this article was presented. It was professionally written, no sides were clearly taken, and all points were backed up with a reason. However, you have members of the MSM going out and making comments about “tweeting in underwear” and calling people “clowns”. They’re telling us that THEY are the professionals? Making comments like that, I don’t think so.
I am a New York Rangers blogger so I am well aware of this battle between the teams and bloggers, in fact I have been a part of it. I have had several player interviews shot down, multiple confrontations with the PR group, and any contact with players that I want I have to find ways to go out and get it myself (which I shockingly have managed to do).
As you said, I don’t see a dividing line. If thousands of fans are coming to a blog just as they are to a newspaper or magazine, then why isn’t that blog considered part of the media? Well it should be, because I know and you know it takes a lot of work to become an established blogger and gain a large following.
Keep up the great work!
Regards,
Nick, rangerstribune.com
Thanks Nick, I appreciate your compliments. I enjoy your work too.
It was a shock to me to hear the words of the MSM. Even their most ardent supporters are feeling a little disillusioned.
Its clear that the fans are way ahead of the MSM in terms of not recognizing their rules, hierarchy and dividing lines.
The walls will come tumbling down. There is no debate on that. The question is whether the MSM will be part of the transition or will be scarred as they stand in the way.
Disruptive business models are always met with derision by the disruptee.
The Sports Media has owned the sport-fan relationship for so long that they don’t want to appreciate that there are fans out there who can do just as good a job while not being paid …
for what its worth, 20 years ago, the gate keepers to the team were traditional journalists who missed the biggest scandal in professional sports.
With the new blogosphere we have access to more information than we ever did before, with better analysis and better coverage.
What the main stream bigots don’t realize is that people gravitate towards content. If the content is better on MSM, they’ll go there. If the content is better on the blog-o-sphere they will go there.
Dis-intermediation is happening…
Thanks kostadis. Change is most times met with apprehension and some people just react poorly when faced with it.
It is correct to say that content is the magnet that draws readers, particularly quality content.
Excellent article.
I’ve been a Habs fan for 40+ years, and I am fed up with Montreal’s MSM. They have been influencing roster moves, lineups, and management hirings and firings for far too long. They have become the Canadiens’ Wizard of Oz-like ‘man behind the curtain’, throwing the switches, pulling the ropes, and pushing the buttons to the team’s detriment. Is it a coincidence that the team’s fortunes over the past 20 years are inversely proportional to the proliferation (and arrogance) of the MSM?
Let me see if I have this straight: according to the MSM, Carey Price = “bad”, and Patrice Brisebois = “good”?? Yeah, okay, guys. RIIIIGHT.
As in ‘The Wizard of Oz’, I suggest we all, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”. Or men. Or women. I will be following only those journalists armed with integrity and objectivity, regardless of who signs their pay cheques. Unfortunately for them, that eliminates a large percentage of the MSM.
Rick, you’re at the top of my list. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Leo. I really appreciate your comments.
As you correctly point out, the Montreal MSM has developed a sense of entitlement with respect to the level of their influence they believe they have over the organization.
Personnel decisions including players and coaches have been made with the media in mind, and as you mention the results have been predictable. When decisions are made for non-hockey reasons, the on-ice product suffers.
If Glenn Beck can be considered MSM in the States (a sad, sad thing), then anything goes.
Excellent piece Rick!
Everything’s been said: the good, the bad and the ugly. Unfortunately it goes on both sides of the fence. On the MSM side where a few (too few of them, I’d say, but there are exceptions) of its representatives have succeded in adapting and incorporating the new way of gathering and broadcasting as championed by bloggers and those who actively partake in the new medias (and it only takes a couple of them to make the whole group look bad as someone mentioned on Twitter in the aftermath this latest sequence of events.
Launy Schwartz probably asked the most pertinent questions of them all, the kind of questions real hockey fans like to have answers to. The problem is that he didn’t sound professional when he got to asked them. And that is unfortunate.
As in everything, hasty generalization can lead to misconceptions. The older (and surpringly even some younger ones too) tenors of the MSM have been trying to protect their turf by invading the social medias and using in a way that mirrors their hidden agenda, trying to look above everybody else. Richard Labbé is a perfect example of that. I wasn’t a fan of his before and since he joined Twitter, it only got worse.
The thing is, both sides can learn from one another. MSM could optimize their use of the new media, the way bloggers know best. Probably that’s why Friedman get much respect as “blogger” amongst his peers. On the other hand, some bloggers can incorporate some tried and true older concepts such as source validation and thorough research and documentation. Unfortunately in this era of fast-info everybody cuts corners and MSM gets to the level of celebrity striken basement bloggers who’ll try anything to get in the forefront. That Godbout fellow reminded me of this Québécor blogger, well known for his “Frolov to Montreal 90% done” thing.
There is some good news though… As more and more knowledgeable fans land on the social networks, they come to realize there is something else out there. But the process is slow. I used to joke that one news isn’t true or a fait accompli until RDS confirms it. The sad part, is that many still behave as it is so, even though RDS has been known to publish erroneous stuff once in a while. Old habits are hard to shed, amongst the journalists but also amongst their loyal attentive consumers.
Very true Lyse. The MSM, are for the most part, are far less skilled at using social media than most bloggers would be at conducting interviews.
As you pointed one, learning can take place on both sides. But that can’t occur until there is mutual respect. Condescension and bullying is not a productive way to start the process.
Here’s how I see it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Carey Price, but he’s no Scott Gomez in front of the camera or on the mic. (Although not many are) Carey Price is media shy, and that resulted in a press conference which I’m sorry to say was absolutely boring. So the result was that there wasn’t much to talk about, so they (MSM) had to find SOMETHING to talk about.
The Schwartz ended up getting that role, why, simple, many in the MSM simply feel threatened by the changing tides. Some can question his approach, but the fact is he was there, he was allowed to be there, he was allowed to ask those questions, and Carey Price didn’t seem to be bothered at all by it.
Thanks for the comment Stevo. We were told by the MSM that even Carey Price was on their side. They said he was probably embarrassed by the compliments and confused by the questions. So I wonder then what Price thought of the irrelevant question about Halak or the one about rodeo?
Rick, this is an exceptionally good piece about my friend Launy’s alleged disruption of the old guard’s phone call. I have personally witnessed Launy interacting with NHL players and they have fun with the interviews. Just because his interviews are a “non-traditional” approach does not discredit the result. He does his research and gets information no one else asks and fans love it. Does it really matter what Sidney Crosby’s favorite Timbits is? No but if you watch the interview on hockey54.com you see Sidney drop his facade and give a real answer. Even when the camera’s not rolling Launy relates well to the players and makes them laugh. We ran in to Drew Doughty at the food court at The Palms and Launy congratulated him on his gold medal and Drew left with a big smile on his face. If writers did not respect the players abilities some really dry stories would result. I am very thankful to be a writer/blogger in the non-traditional market of Nashville. Just as you never hear players saying anything bad about playing for the Predators, you don’t see turf wars between MSM and internet media in the dressing room or the post game pressers. Maybe that is one of the better reasons we are “non-traditional.”
Very well-written, thoughtful piece.
I listened to the conference call with Price, and I’ll say this: Launy may have simply picked the wrong venue for framing the question he asked in the manner he asked it.
We all kiss a little ass from time to time in interviews. It’s a way of establishing a comfort zone with a subject. Any journalist who claims they haven’t is lying.
Does it happen on conference calls? Yes, but not that often, and when it does you can almost sense the groaning from all other parties. But what turned off the MSM reporters to his question — if I recall it correctly — was that it dealt with the criticism Price had received, and those on the call were certainly parties to that criticism.
Again, I couldn’t quote the question verbatim, but I remember thinking, “Did he just take a shot at the newspapers and radio guys who are on this call?”
Had it been a small scrum after practice, or a one-on-one, question’s fine. It did seem a little out of place on the call, but not to the point where he should have gotten smacked around for it. As I said on Twitter: Comic relief.
BTW: Marinaro asking about Halak is fine, IMO. Jaro was coming to town that weekend, Price’s thoughts on the trade probably aren’t all that well-known, and the essential storyline is still that Montreal picked Carey over Jaro. Maybe that’s overplayed, but it’s still a valid question.
Again, nice read, and conversation starter for sure.
Wow, amazing piece, Rick.
Seriously, it’s disgusting to me that someone like Andie would use twitter for personal ventures like her biking marathon or whatever, but at the same time crap on those would might have actually given a frick about her tweets on it with yet another “basement tweeter/blogger” comment.
I feel an intense rant coming on so I’ll just stop here.
Rick, Kyle, all bloggers out there calling out MSM on this behavior, please keep it up. I might feel the need to write my own views on this since I’m currently dabbling in both, but right now I’m actually pissed from what I just read.
First of all Rick, the basement in the underwear comment was a joke. I thought that was fairly obvious. Lighten up my friend. And as for Julie being disgusted by me using twitter for a personal venture, you are correct. Raising money for children battling cancer is very personal to me. We raised over 135,000$ for cancer research by biking from TO to MTL using twitter and blogging..so I do not mind paying the price of your disgust. Perhaps that is the difference between bloggers and reporters. We do research.
It’s a “biting the hand that feeds” question.
I’m all for charity; I embark upon these journeys myself but I’m always engaging my followers no matter what, not just when I ask for support, help or for clicks on my latest blog.
But to display such blatant disrespect for those who care about, read and could help you in these ventures is wrong, and definitely not how relationships through twitter should be used.
Andie – I don’t know where to begin with that comment other than having to stop laughing before replying.
First off, the “We do research” line is truly hilarious because the fact is that sports journalists are notorious for their lack of research. I’d put any number of blogs ahead of almost every MSMer in terms of amount of research done. I understand it’s hard for a working journalist who has deadlines but it’s not even an opinion. It’s a fact.
As for the ‘joke’, it’s tired. But what else would we expect? The fact that you think it was actually a joke shows how out of touch you are with the hockey blogosphere.
Congratulations on the excellent charity work. I’m pretty sure that if you weren’t so high up on you horse you’d admit that no one was impugning your great work but rather just pointing out the hypocrisy of slamming Twitter and its users while simultaneously asking them to help your charity work.
ahh I should realize this is a losing battle but I can not help it. Again if you actually listened to the segment instead of just feeding off this comment frenzy you would realize that the joke had to do with the fact that this is a stereotype! I am not up on my high horse at all and I did catch the accusation of hypocrisy but I don’t think it is valid as first of all— I WAS NOT SLAMMING BLOGGERS and second of all was asking for support from LISTENERS. it was not a shout out to all bloggers and tweeters. It was for listeners and family and friends or whoever wanted to follow the journey….
To be honest Andie, I’d be willing to chalk it up to some of us ascribing more power to your words than you believe they carry if not for your attitude in other aspects of this situation.
Andie. The implication in your last comment is that people of my ilk don’t to their research. All of my questions, no matter how I phrased them, were relevant and researched. I pride myself on my knowledge, and the efforts I go through to develop questions that the MSM don’t ask. Your efforts to use social media and blog outlets to raise awareness is nothing to frown upon. What I find strange in this particular scenario is when turning to bloggers becomes convenient – HockeyBuzz – and when it isn’t. That a news source from the MSM can be wrong and accountability is rare, but from a blogger it’s OKAY to publicly attempt to humiliate them. As for your underwear comment, I wear boxers, not briefs…just tryin to have some fun with you. Hope you had a laugh there.
Awesome piece, I am a Toronto Maple Leafs blogger, but this is a matter we can all agree on, the recent backlash toward bloggers has been tantamount to bullying without quantifying how one is exactly supposed to “earn their stripes.”
It’s funny that big market clubs are amongst the most vociferous at keeping bloggers out in the cold while smaller teams like the Islanders and Preds recognize the value of fans imput.
I’ve always said the argument is a condescending one from the prospective of the mainstream, determined to undermine the importance of an opinion over getting the scoop.
It’s a question of framing, with fans voting with their feet and moving to blogs, the emphasis is moving away from breaking a story and to how it is framed. While this in one way negates the necessity of credentials I’m not going to tread on guys working for fans as opposed to $$$, ultimately unless my site starts paying me I haven’t the time to persue the benefits of media accredidation but those that do usually do opine from a different perspective and their readers appreciate the angle.
I do have to agree with Greg that a conference call is perhaps not the best place for a taking pot shots, but the issue is becoming far more wide spread than an isolated case such as Launy’s, and one that is likely to explode this upcoming season.
You get the feeling the MSM is starting to realise their act has become old hat and don’t really know how to freshen things up.
Very well thought out piece. Thank you for bringing this to the light. Getting respect from someone who works so hard to get their journalism degree and then climb the ladder in the MSM to get to where they are is hard to earn when a blogger seemingly skips the process.
But in fact many of them follow a different path that requires no less work. Not just the time and effort and the extra content that is necessary to keep the blog relevant (often by just one person), but other things that need to be done to run a business – marketing, analysis, etc. If everyone involved on the two sides understood fully the blood sweat and tears put into their work, then there would never be problem.
One of the key questions I have for ALL goalies in the NHL right now is how they have been impacted by the new “form-fitting” rules for the new season. Every goalie is possibly wearing smaller or larger leg pads and that impacts how they play (albeit very slightly).
Therefore asking a goalie (especially Price, who customizes his gear more than most) about their pads for the new season is a totally legitimate question that all journalists, writers, bloggers, etc should be asked.
If anyone, MSM or not, gets frustrated or irritated with someone asking that kind of question, well, they really have no idea what influences a goaltender. That was a great question and I wonder what Price had to say about his pads. I certainly could care less what Price thought about Halak being traded because it has no impact on how Price is preparing for the season. And I’m guessing Price probably enjoyed the question about his pads more than a question about Halak.
Launy is a passionate guy who has worked hard for what he has. He’s a goalie. Goalies are different. He’s unique and he has a lot of fun doing what he does. He gets people excited about hockey and the players respond well to him. No man or woman should ever be judged for living out their passion. Launy deserves that respect and it’s pretty simple to see that the people who dissed on him during the press conference showed a lack of class and respect by trying to cut him down. Talk about lack of professionalism!
A press conference is for those who have one order of business – asking questions to a player. If anyone is making snide remarks at one of the members of the press asking questions, that’s just a little outrageous.
Definitely a great article and I just think Launy deserves the respect of any other pioneer non-traditional broadcaster or reporter.
This has been one hell of a summer. I think everyone is frustrated at the lack of hockey and it’s time to drop the puck so everyone is talking about GAMES again instead of all the “bloggers” vs. “MSM” stuff.
Excellent write-up. Nicely done.
I think at the heart of the “debate” is the ever-existential question of: when is a blog a legitimate “publication” vs. when is it a fan who has internet-enabled capabilities to run his mouth? This question exists, not just in sports, but in politics, in business, etc. The internet has given a lot of hard-working people credible jobs, while also given a lot of ‘average joes’ a cost-free medium to say whatever and to do whatever.
I think that’s one of the biggest differences between the splintering of CNN from network news and this current debate (though it may be noted that my quip above demonstrates anyone can get on television as easily as he can start a blog). When CNN started, it was also bucking an establishment, but licensing, broadcast, etc., was a costly proposition. People don’t just get a television network on a whim. And ultimately, CNN had to establish credibility in order for its journalists/personalities to get media access to news stories. For CNN, Tiananmen Square was that story (http://goo.gl/ivHN).
But while CNN eventually had competition, the competition had to pay the same costs — even to gain credibility.
It seems like it’s been a different path for bloggers. The fact that competition is little-to-no cost makes it that much harder to establish credibility, particularly for those blogs where the content is obviously of journalistic quality (as opposed to Joe Anyone writing whatever pops into his mind). The landscape of the blogging establishment has the ability to shift at whim.
As a result, I don’t think the problem will ever quite be solved, regardless of who’s writing the paycheques. When the barriers to entry are low, it’s that much more difficult to enter into any sort of establishment.
Responders & Readers,
First, I want to thank all of you for taking the time to read Rick’s piece. He’s a man who had no real vested interest in what I do, and could have easily just ignored the issue, but alas we have a fair and balanced account of everything that went down during what I like to now call “Price Point.”
Just to be clear, I went to University for four years and earned a degree in radio and television. Jobs in the industry are hard to come by, and due to circumstances in my life I drifted from the industry.
The internet has allowed me the privilege to show the hockey community my style of journalism. A phrase I coined not too long ago was “journalistic integrity mixed with fanboy enthusiasm.” And my integrity is something I take very seriously.
I never report on rumours, or create stories that I haven’t had substantiated. When I am wrong, I go out of my way to make sure people know I am accountable for any errors I make.
I formulate my opinions based on 25+ years of involvement in the game that has given so much to me. I don’t need to be in a dressing room to try and establish a player’s mentality. I didn’t have to play in the NHL to be a “fellow goalie.”
I am obviously a fan of the game. Aren’t we all? We wouldn’t be so inquisitive and passionate about how and why we cover this game if we cared more about lawn darts. I will never hide my enthusiasm, but I also never let it get in the way of my journalistic integrity.
I am unconventional, but it’s that style that has allowed me to get the answers fans want to know. The answer of how a player feels after signing a contract is obvious. Most become millionaires, and if they decide to sign somewhere, I am confident they are happy because they are now rich and playing where they want to play. You don’t need a degree in journalism to ask that question, or type the answer.
Ultimately it’s about a story, and the same story with the same stock answers are almost always the case because the same questions are always asked by the same people. That’s not a shot at any one member of the MSM, it’s simply stating the obvious.
I take a lot of pride in what I do, and how I do it. I’m glad a lot of you can see that and appreciate it. Those who don’t, I respect your feelings. I probably won’t change your opinion of what I do or how I do it either. What I don’t appreciate is being called unprofessional by someone who in the same sentence will say “fellatio festival” on live radio.
In the end, if I have sparked this debate’s flames once again, I will continue to defend myself by taking the high road. The MSM has a way of doing things that – for the most part – have not changed in decades. Besides, I owe a lot to people like Red Fisher. He paved the way for everyone in this profession. With that said, like with any art, times change as does the approach.
Puck Speed, and May The Schwartz be with You.
Launy,
As you have your “style”, Mike Boone has his.
If you followed his work/game blogs in the Gazette/ HIO, during their podcasts, or heard him on Team990 or on the Fan590 during PTS, you’d know that’s how he can be at times.
For him to say what he did is not overly suprising, and I’m sure Dave Stubbs was thinking, “Not now, Mike!” but that’s how it goes. Foot in mouth!
Regardless I’m pretty sure HIO got it, seeing they linked this article to their site as well as the one on Alex Auld.
One thing I have learned dealing with most MSM is that they can have a thick skin, but over time it becomes water under the bridge….Note: I said “most.”
Nice read. Points out a great deal of hypocrisy, but, as you know, the perpetrators are unlikely to appreciate it. Only those who are most likely to benefit from a change in their behaviour — the readers — will appreciate it. Spent a lot of time in the MSM and I don’t harbour the same biases some do. If anything, I developed a bias for garden-variety columnists who get their “banalysis” syndicated because they come from a large market. I’m looking at you Steve Simmonds.
Thank you very much for writing this article Rick. The Montreal MSM are some of the most unprofessional bunch in all of Canada that I’ve had the displeasure of reading. If Vancouver columnists wrote about the Habs on a regular basis, I would never dream of looking at a Gazette product again.
I don’t even want to get suckered into ranting about the french media – but the majority of english MSM is awful as well. Unfortunately because their writers have such well established connections I am forced to read HIO on a regular basis despite the incredulous lack of talent by both Boone and Hickey. As far as I can tell, Hickey’s sole role is to offer condensed game recaps (which I really don’t see the point of in the age of sportscentre) and Boone has fashioned his entire journalistic career around making outlandish statements and picking favourites. Neither of these writers have offered a morsel of analytical thought and ironically they would both be far better suited writing for “fan blogs.”
The substantial amount of quality Habs bloggers is perhaps a reaction to the actual media being so poor. To thought of these intellect leeches shutting out passionate, talented and interesting (albeit sometimes rough around the edges) individuals that want to pursue a career in media is just disgusting.
Thanks for an evocative, thoughtful piece, Rick. Being outside of Montreal, I’m not exposed to the dog-eat-dog world that is the Montreal media, both during the season and off. I wasn’t aware of the uproar.
Thanks for continuing to be the voice of reason.
Great read, and as a blogger who has a journalism degree, it’s hard to think that MSM would lump all bloggers in the same category or even just look at bloggers the same way they were looked at five years ago. The landscape has changed.
There are blogs who get interviews with team owners in the NFL. Yet, the NHL – which has more to gain from bloggers – stays behind the times.
Damien Cox writes that Jose Bautista is on steroids with no proof and nothing happens to him. When a blogger did the same thing, with actual reasoning (not just “asking the question”) with Raul Ibanez, people lost their hats.
The MSM should pick their spots when commenting on bloggers and look at themselves or their colleagues with the same amount of scrutiny. It would do everyone a lot of good.
By the way, best article on the MSM vs. Blogger suitutation this year!
Great work Rick, and love the new site!
Awesome article!
One point you made that really kicks one in the gonads and should sting would be the line of questioning by the MSM. We have had to endure a whole year of Halak Vs Price. Now that Halak is gone we are still hearing the BS. If it were not for the “as a fellow goalie” remark, I would not have had a clue as to if it came from a blogger or not. I thought the questions from Schwatz were bang on. From questions about gear to who is playing in front of him and how is what fans want to hear about and not the media created soap opera that we have to sift through.
This IS the reason why we are leaving MSM and going to bloggers. We do not care which Russian is in bed with the Mafiosos of the world. We are forgetting why we love our Habs… Its about 1 shiny 100+ year old cup. It’s too bad Boone doesn’t get it. Don’t get me started on the French MSM. If I hear 1 more time that you have to be French to wear the “C”, I’m gonna revive the Rocket and have him go “Bouchard” on their asses! Do we have to be French or Canadian to love “Les Canadiens”? Then why the C?
I liked your piece. It was fair. However, I don’t follow you anymore. You give no credit to Martin for their playoff run. This is unfair and ridiculous.
For what does Martin deserve credit?
Employing a system that is embarassingly passive and does not make appropriate use of the skills of the players on the ice? Nervously adjusting his tie and staring up at the scoreboard while Muller runs up and down the bench directing the players? Botching the line combinations? Undermining the talents and confidence of guys like Price and O’Byrne? Being outcoached in virtually every game?
There’s a lot more to being the head coach than simply wearing the title. What was “unfair and ridiculous” last summer was the choice of Martin in the first place. What is “unfair and ridiculous” now is that he has not been replaced by someone more qualified and deserving.
At a well written and concise piece we have here, I am so disappointed to read the Boone and Bennett comments, wow, I expect more from them…As for Stubbs, I regularly email him on Prices’ new gear and he posts pics etc all the time, so yeah the questions a very relevant! I am surprised he would even write that… I personally stopped going to Habs I/O because even the comments section is having this Hierarchy Battle where if you do not agree with others you are shot down bad…
I guess Sports Media is at the place Record Labels were, you cannot fight the new media, so why fight it? Embrace it and make it your own, personally I love to read different writing styles and different views, not everyone wants to read R Tremblay or R Fisher…
Great piece! Some MSM should take a moment of their valuable time and read your blog!
Fantastic article that was superbly written. I was actually laughing a little bit at the irony of sitting and reading this piece that is actually much better written than pretty much 90-95% of what the MMSM (extra M for Montreal produce.
I’m not a hater of MSM by any stretch of the imagination. They do a difficult job and they do it well (for the most part). But seriously, if I ever have to listen to another member of the MSM complain and whine about getting canned or stock answers from players when their own question in itself was the same one (in a nutshell) through 82+ games…..
I listened to the conference call and did at some point feel the sense of this is a fan in the intro leading up to the questions and right after getting the answer. However, the questions posed were excellent and added a wee bit more than NOTHING (here’s to you Boone) for me.
To Rick, I’m grateful that you wrote this and wrote it so well!
To Schwartz, good job and I hope to hear more of your questions.
To the MMSM, you’re doing OK, but you’re slipping which is why we’re all reading and posting comments on blog sites like this.
To Boone, I really actually like your style of opinionated blogging on Habs I/O. I even smile at every mention that you make of how many more viewers/readers you’re getting and how you’re all getting bonuses thanks to our page views. I don’t like you chewing out “a fellow” journalist for maybe not posing the questions with the right attitude or mood.
I wonder if Boone would’ve done the same had Schwartz been a junior (1st year) Gazette reporter. Something inside me tells me that Boone would’ve gone over to Schwartz gave him a tap and a friendly talk on how to improve his performance in future conference calls.
:-)
ok this is my last comment on this. Rick, I am bothered not only by you misquoting me but also not giving the gist of the conversation in which is was VERY obvious that I was making a joke referring to the stereotype of bloggers. Flippant, sarcastic yes perhaps but that is my sense of humor. I do NOT have “a(n) obvious lack of respect for the work of the new media.” And you then say I am uninformed. I think in this case it is you that are uninformed. I did not assume it was a blogger I already knew it was Godbout. It was a joke that is all. I think you were just a teensy bit too sensitive in this case.
Andie,
You have mentioned several times that you have been mischaracterized by the quote. You are invited to send the audio clip to allhabs (at) gmail (dot) com
I will gladly make corrections as necessary.
thanks All Habs! I appreciate that. I say instead we just bury the hatchet. I truly do not have time to search thru audio at the moment but my point was basically that you missed the gist of the conversation by reprinting a segment without context. The exact words don’t really matter as it was basically the underwear basement thing (but as I said it was a joke about the actual stereotype). I will say this has started a lot of discourse so YAY! I appreciate all the comments, even you Pension Plan :) and for my part do apologize for the flippant remarks. I do have a lot of respect for certain bloggers and have called up many to be guests on our show. Can we all be friends now?
Heh, I just made a bet that this was going to be condescending and looks like I win.
But sure, let’s just all move on and no one ever has to admit that they might have done something wrong. We’re all just sensitive!
well you seem bound and determined to interpret everything I say in a negative way so i really don’t know what to say. I was being genuine and don’t really know what you are reading as being condescending. oh well. All the best to you.
Great piece. I feel like I have been remiss in not reading this blog earlier if this is the calibre of the writing.
And has been noted, the hypocrisy is rampant and those that are most guilty of it will never realize/admit it. C’est la vie. There is obviously a connection between both groups: MSM do the day-to-day reporting and blogs stoked the fires of the fans that help pay the MSM’s salaries (among other things). For some reason, the traditional media (because blogs are pretty mainstream by now!) only live in a binary world. It’s sad but that’s life for now.
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