If Baltimore play-by-player Kevin Brown wanted to return to the air after weeks off, he likely had to tweet out his Pravda-like statement about the Orioles.
We understand that.
This is what happens when you work for a bad organization and someone seemingly as irrational and clueless as Orioles owner John Angelos.
It is not an easy situation, but Brown, 33, has to leave the Orioles as soon as he can. He is a young guy with responsibilities, but you can’t stay there if — when — you have other opportunities to call baseball.
The statement from Brown was embarrassing because if there were mischaracterizations, why did he and the Orioles wait so long to address it?
In the meantime, nearly every broadcaster in the business stood up for him. Did they do that in vain?
The reality of the team play-by-players is that the owners, front office and star players have power over them. If they get on the wrong side of the wrong person, it can have career consequences.
Brown got in trouble after he made innocuous comments that were in the team’s game notes and appeared with a graphic about how the Orioles had struggled for years against the Rays. It was nothing.
Angelos put him in a terrible spot. For Brown, this was likely the only option to end the situation in the short term, but if he wants to further his career, he needs to move as far away from Angelos and Pravda as fast as he can.
It’s unfair to Brown, but sometimes, not always, you are judged by the company you keep.
Brown is going to have to decide on his future when opportunities arise.
Quick Clicks
Way too much has been made of ESPN Bet. Yes, ESPN was a little late to the sports gambling gold rush after Bob Iger initially was hesitant — now its deal with Penn is an infusion of cash that could be worth up to $2 billion. Yes, they will try to make it successful, and it will be noticeable, but it is not a desperate move — it is a business move. But this agreement holds no real greater meaning about the overall health of ESPN, except, like every company within the changing landscape, it is looking to find more money. A $2 billion deal for 10 years seems like a pretty good thing.
… ESPN has been very confident it will make money on the Pat McAfee deal, which we’ve reported is for five years and around $85 million. ESPN always was expected to make a gambling deal, but, with it now official, the McAfee signing comes into further focus. Having a relationship with McAfee had to be appealing to Penn.
… Iger may be a reader of this newsletter, but we reported here two weeks ago that ESPN is looking for distribution and technology in a new partner and had heard from all the big companies in this space. On this week’s earnings call, Iger said, “Overall, we’re considering potential strategic partnerships for ESPN, looking at distribution, technology, marketing, and content opportunities where we retain control of ESPN. We’ve received notable interest from many different entities, and we look forward to sharing more details at a later date when we’re further along in this process.”
… ESPN lost Dianna Russini to The Athletic on its NFL coverage, but it is bringing in Bob Myers on the NBA. They got rid of Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, but are promoting Doris Burke and hiring Doc Rivers. The stories of coming and goings will continue. While ESPN is tightening its belt, it continues to add as well as subtract. … Seems like a lot of people want to work with Skip Bayless on FS1’s “Undisputed.” Richard Sherman and Rachel Nichols already have joined up, and Keyshawn Johnson and Michael Irvin are possible.
… NFL+ adding NFL Network is just the hors d’oeuvre for when ESPN goes DTC in 2025 and 2026. The regional sports networks have already been doing it. Now a big cable network is doing it. Max is offering Turner Sports on a new paid tier, as well. It is not hard to recognize the trends. What should be pointed out is that, as I’ve said before, I’m not sure it is going to be as earth-shifting as some think. It feels more additive in the short term, though in the long term, it is likely a bigger deal. However, if you are a Yankees fan who wants to watch nearly every game, did you drop cable to get the YES app? Maybe, but I doubt it was in big numbers because you still need ESPN and Amazon. Come the playoffs — yeah, I know how the Yankees are doing, but stick with me — you might need Turner or FS1. I’m not sure it is so groundbreaking for the average fan. It just provides another option.
Clicker Q&A: Ian Rapoport
The insider game is one of the most competitive in journalism, let alone sports journalism. With this in mind, in what could become a new feature of the newsletter, “Clicker Q&A,” I wanted to get inside the life of one of the top insiders in the game.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is the first Q&A subject. Here we go:
Clicker: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?
Rapoport: I wanted to be a lawyer, a litigator. I wanted to stand up in front of a jury and make an argument — like Tom Cruise in “A Few Good Men.”
Clicker: Where did you go to college, and what did you major in?
Rapoport: I went to Columbia and majored in history, focusing mostly on American history. I liked the stories. And all the tests were papers, and I liked to write.
Clicker: What was your first job in sports media?
Rapoport: After applying to 311 papers out of college, I got two interviews — the Hobbs News Sun in New Mexico and the Journal News in New York. Thankfully, I got hired by the Journal News, part-time, to cover high school sports. I made $12 an hour, but could work no more than 25 hours and lived with my parents for two years. I promised my parents if I didn’t get a full-time job within two years, I’d go to law school. On the dot, I got a job covering Mississippi State for the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson.
Clicker: When did you decide you wanted to become an insider?
Rapoport: I wouldn’t even say it was a decision. NFL Network hired me to be its Dallas correspondent in 2012, and Eric Weinberger, my boss, mentioned if it went well, maybe I’ll end up as the Insider (the network didn’t have one for a year). But I went into that year in Dallas knowing it was possible and preparing myself for the idea.
Clicker: How did it happen?
Rapoport: After a year, they had me fly to [NFL Network headquarters in Los Angeles] on the day after the season to cover the fallout. I ended up breaking Lovie Smith getting fired by the Bears. And from then on, I had a new job. It became official that July [2013]. But then I had to actually do it. So for two years, I was on the road for Thursday Night Football, and I started collecting phone numbers and making relationships. Every city, I’d call or email all the key people and set up breakfasts, lunches, whatever. Meeting everyone. Laying the foundation. It probably took a good four years to learn the job and another two years to really be out front as far as breaking news. It was a long, long road. But worth it.
Clicker: Let us understand an average day for you as an insider. What time do you get up? What time do you go to bed? What happens in between? What’s your setup?
Rapoport: During free agency and crazy times, it’s different. But during regular-season days, I usually get up around 5:30 to do “Good Morning Football” (which I do 3 days a week). I’m on TV at 7, 8 and 9, tops of the hour. Between that time, I give my boys breakfast (7) and bike with them to school (8) and then start my day. I’m on the phone all day talking to sources from my office in my basement and usually ready for TV in case something breaks. We do our news show midday for a few hours and then have “Total Access” at 7. In there somewhere, I jump on the Peloton and deal with news as it comes. Before 7 p.m., we’ll have dinner as a family, and there are always kids sports to go to, which can be between like 4 and 6. Sometimes I’m on the phone, but I’m always there. My day usually ends at 7:30 p.m., but you never know, so I always stay ready for TV until probably 9. Bed at 10:30, then restart.
Clicker: Who had the biggest influence on you in your career?
Rapoport: My editor in Mississippi was a guy by the name of Rusty Hampton, who broke me down and taught me to report. I can still hear in my head, “How do you know?” whenever I would report something. He changed my emphasis from flowery writing to simple informing. Those lessons (really hard at the time) changed my career. It’s all about telling people something they don’t know and making sure you are right about it.
Clicker: What’s it like to work for the NFL and report on the NFL?
Rapoport: I don’t think about it like that. There are always entanglements, always relationships to navigate, every network and outlet is a partner someway or another. Main thing is, if you’re reporting the truth, that sets you free. I am always transparent with what I’m reporting and that makes it easier.
Clicker: When I say these names, what first comes to mind?
Pat McAfee?
Rapoport: The most unapologetically authentic person I know and a great dude.
Jay Glazer?
Rapoport: Beast.
Adam Schefter?
Rapoport: He literally created the job I do now.
Mike Florio?
Rapoport: A one-stop shop for NFL news… and he stirs it up a bit.
Peter King?
Rapoport: My favorite football writer growing up.
Rich Eisen?
Rapoport: The face of our network and a great friend.
Steve Serby?
Rapoport: A tabloid journalism legend. Love his Q&As.
Clicker: Why are you a Mets fan?
Rapoport: 1986. Doc and Straw. Carter. Those were my guys. And it’s never waned, despite moving all over the country. It’s the only team I’ve rooted for my entire life, and one day it’s going to pay off lol.
Clicker: Have you ever thought about changing how your last name is spelled?
Rapoport: I think other people should change the way they spell it.
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