Espn does not publish Favre story

[SAboys889]

I'm sure this will be moved, but to me this is more proof that ESPN has their "favorites" and the Cowboys are certainly not one of them (not that the Cowboys deserve some of the negative comments this past week)

http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/nfl_tracker/posts/16442

Conspicuously absent from the ESPN media empire the past few days was any mention of the story about Brett Favre advising the Lions on the Packers, which was first reported by Fox's Jay Glazer. And now we know why. From ProFootballTalk.com:

A source, who for reasons likely related to making the monthly mortgage payment has asked not to be identified, has forwarded to us a version of ESPN’s internal “Hot List,” which provides a detailed rundown of the current stories that might merit mention on the various ESPN properties.

It’s a lengthy collection of news and nuggets regarding all of the major sports (and golf). At the bottom, there’s a description of one specific story that should be avoided.

Under the heading “DO NOT REPORT . . . DO NOT REPORT . . . . DO NOT REPORT . . . DO NOT REPORT” (um, we get the point) appears the following:

“Yesterday, FoxSports reported that Brett Favre spent 60 to 90 minutes before the Week Two game between the Lions and the Packers educating the Detroit coaching staff regarding the Packers’ offensive strategies. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY RELIABLE SOURCES THIS REPORT IS NOT TRUE. We did NOT report it yesterday. Today, the NFL responded to the report, saying even if Favre did this he did not break any league rules. We are NOT reporting it today, because that would mean airing the erroneous report. DO NOT REPORT IT.”

 

[Hypnotoad]

That's very odd.

They are probably trying to keep friendly relations with Brett so he works there when he eventually retires.

 

[joseephuss]

They could be taking the position of protecting themselves by not running an untrue story. Running it would open them up to a liable(or slander I get them confused) lawsuit if indeed the story is not true.

I would not put it past ESPN to have a favoritism toward Favre, but based on that little story I don't see it.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Or maybe it's because it's a stupid story that doesn't matter? I actually heard about this story on ESPN on Monday night. They mentioned it and they mentioned the fact that the league said that no rules were violated by him talking to people for that.

In fact they pointed out that teams often will sign a guy up whose been cut from an upcoming opponent to simply pick their brain on some of the things that opponent might do or run.

Now if people wanted this reported just to say "Geez Brett is a jerk for doing that." then, yeah, I guess it's a story then.

But to me it's one of those things that are so stupid, and unimportant, that does it even merit reporting?

 

[tyke1doe]

ESPN doesn't just copy from other news organization. It, like any other news organization, has its sources. And if it can't get a story or rumor verified, it won't publish it.

That's not uncommon. It's just that people aren't familiar with out those these things work.

Furthermore, they have a pipeline into Brett Favre, and if he denied the story, then - without their own sources in the Lions organization verifying the story - ESPN doesn't go with it.

Personally, I think Jay Glazer was telling the truth. Favre said as much (in so many words) at his weekly press conference. ESPN probably feels bad now because it leaned so heavily on Favre's denial without working its sources in the Lions' organization.

Jay scoops ESPN - AGAIN. :laugh2:

 

[BillyKilmer]

Espn is often referred to as the Yankee/Redsox/Cowboy channel. The popularity of these franchises produces ratings.

Lately the Cowboys have played poorly so the sories have had to be less then flattering.