Met Rick Reilly Last Night, Media on the Cowboys

[SDogo]

Had dinner with a journalism friend of mine and his wife last night after a fund raiser. While there my friend pointed out Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly. For those of you who don't know, Rick has been voted National Sportswriter of the Year nine times.

He was a real friendly guy, more then willing to share a story or two. During the conversation I asked him what was the deal with Cowboys hate in the media. He explained to me that the media discovered in the 70's and again in the mid 90's when the Cowboys are up the best way to get ratings is to be negative.

He said there is no doubt the Cowboys are not only Americas team but the worlds team. Media outlets learned long ago, if you do a positive piece on the Cowboys you may get a million readers. The Cowboys fans and few others will pay attention but if you put a negative spin on it, your going to get those million Cowboys fans, plus a million more that want something to argue about then 3 million more non-Cowboys fans who just want that chance to hate on the Cowboys.

He said it's basically not that the media hates the Cowboys but that every media outlet is going to do what they have to in order to bring in the ratings and there is no bigger cash cow then the Cowboys. He did say they are followed closely by the Yankees.

 

[robb01]

sounds like you had a good time, and I think the media hate will always be there

 

[seniorette]

sounds like you had a good time, and I think the media hate will always be there

If what he says is true, and it sounds plausible to me, then I hope the media "Hate" is ALWAYS there. It could only mean one thing, the Cowboys are on top and making money for them. GO COWBOYS.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Did you punch him in the face? He's the one who just a few years ago called Aikman a spare. (Can't remember the exact word, but that's basically it.)

I think what he says here explains why ESPN has Cowboys stuff on constantly. But IMO a lot of individual media guys are in that group that hate the Cowboys, and it's not an act to get ratings.

One thing I've always noticed: The Yankees are in the same boat we are... Tons of fans, tons of people who hate them for all the winning they've done and all the attention they get. Yet the Yankees aren't treated like we are.

 

[Sarge]

Who was that sick freak that once said "embrace the hatred" - I think he was right.

 

[DallasEast]

Who was that sick freak that once said "embrace the hatred" - I think he was right.

Was it 'Hosty'..? 'Hostel'..? 'Whosyomama'..?

championship!

 

[big dog cowboy]

He said there is no doubt the Cowboys are not only Americas team but the worlds team.

Do I need to change my sig line?

 

[DallasEast]

Do I need to change my sig line?

Noooo! That would help create a soccer enthusiastic invasion for the forum! You know, soccer is the world's favorite sport! Nooooooooo!

 

[BourbonBalz]

So, what he's basically saying is that "journalists" will write anything, truth be damned, as long as it will attract reader attention? Gee, I didnt' know that.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

So, what he's basically saying is that "journalists" will write anything, truth be damned, as long as it will attract reader attention? Gee, I didnt' know that.

Amen.

While I appreciate Mr. Reilly's honesty, it still doesn't mean that it's right.

I guess integrity takes a backseat to being a ho and a puppet.





YAKUZA

 

[dbair1967]

Did you punch him in the face? He's the one who just a few years ago called Aikman a spare. (Can't remember the exact word, but that's basically it.)

Yeah I remember that, what a freaking dope.

 

[jumanji]

common sense...this is no secret

 

[CowboyMike]

He writes for ESPN The Mag now, not SI. For the most part, his articles are really good.