I dont know if this is still the case, but through out my sports-management based degree there were some interesting stories being bandied about with regards to the Australian Football League and positive editorial stories in major news outlets.
Now in no way am I implying that the positive editorial is with regards to washing over 'the negative stories', however it was noted that it could have a major influence on the manner in which they were reported. I am not so naïve to think that that senior management would be on the phone if said organisation was copping a bum wrap from a media organisation reminding them of their importance to their revenue streams. Ive seen media accreditation been removed from journos who didnt tow the line. They've continued their crusade in the short term, but have changed their tune down the line when they realise that their lively-hood could be at stake.
The NRL has allowed its competition to be run by the media, first by dictation of game times, days, competition rounds. Now while that is healthy and critical for survival, it has now allowed the media to become their moral advisors. Gone is the course of justice and presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, we have a bunch of hypocrites running kangaroo court sessions through the papers and airwaves pushing their moral crusade on us. The Brett Seymour incident was the straw that broke the camels back, how the hell being intoxicated illegal and immoral is beyond comprehension, anyone would think Fred Nile is the new editor at Nein. From the Sharks and NRLs point of view, for them not to have the balls to stand up to the media and tell them to shove it beggars belief. Had it been another sporting code, I believe it would have been a very minor story, regardless of allegations made earlier the week. Look at how CA handled the latest Symonds story, non-issue, thats how Seymours incident should have been handled.
While other leaders are out their spinning bullsh*t PR, our game has sat back and been too modest. Demetriou, Buckley, Levick, ONeill and Sutherland are all out their skewing their figures and pumping up their sports while the NRL sits back and boasts modestly every now and then.
[FONT="]Its time for the NRL to stand up and not let the media dictate on how its competition to be run. The game creates an awful lot of revenue for these companies and outlets, its about time the game shows them whos boss. [/FONT]
