Brian, are you attending any summer practices?
Obviously this is Brian's blog, so it's totally up to him (duh.) But, one of the things that he's written about several times is his view of blogs relative to the (lol) MSM. He's consistently said that because he doesn't have any access to protect, he can write pretty much whatever comes to mind - no fear of reprisals in the form of losing that access. If he compromised on that, it would be like selling out, and not in the good "Let's pay SMQB to do what he does well" sort of way.
That's how I'd view it if I were Brian, anyway - from the standpoint of a reader, I have no problems with getting more inside info. Hell, I'd love it if we could get more pictures of Cone looking half-retarded: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=C4&Date=20080330&Category=SPORTS06&ArtNo=803290806&Ref=PH&Profile=1054&Params=Itemnr=14Which is why it's going to hurt right now while I go ahead and do just that.
I believe that Brain’s distilled argument in bloggers v. MSM as applied to the set of facts before us, would be that from the MSM side, a blogger writes nothing but opinions which are based on wild speculation or sub-educated guess because they don’t get to see how the sausage is made. From a blogger’s pov everything written by the MSM is like the second draft of the Port Huron Statement, since those reporters are required to censor themselves to some degree to protect the commodity which allows them their place at the table.
I understand Brian’s concern. MGoblog is terrific as is, and you want to tread lightly on anything that would change the formula. I’m sure he’d like the access, and what he could do with it. Question is, would it effect his ability to write the prose the way he wants too, and/or would he feel obligated to temper criticism of on-the-field play?
If there’s a chance he’d have to change is writing, I’d reluctantly say that its probably not worth it. The guy is a funny mother fucker. But I think this is an area for explosive growth in what this site can bring to fans of UM football. Brian references wanting to make sure the site’s focus doesn’t waver. I’m my estimation, the site’s focus is and has always been 1) expose fans to the most in depth information and analysis of UM football humanly possible 2) do so with an entertaining blend of passion and levity to maximum effect.
To me, observing practices and attending press conferences (with the intent to participate) does nothing to detract from that focus, it is simply enhancing #1 by adding two more primary sources to the site (the first and foremost always being UFR). And who knows, maybe it would even help raise the entire level of discourse on UM football within the square media.
The worst that could happen is that the access would be turned off following an apocalyptic Mike Gundy-esque meltdown. There is no way Brain could possibly have less access than he has since the blog’s inception, and its done quite well, so it would go back to "normal". At least I think it could go back.
Agree somewhat, but I do think it's worth a shot. The site's come up from nothing because of its POV and if they ask me to change that I'll just say I don't think this is going to work out.
But: given the media environment that's out there, maybe they can accept some of the "unprofessional" aspects of the site since it doesn't feature Drew Sharp or week-long investigations of dubious merit?
Brian,
I don’t want to waste too much of your time with these questions. You probably don’t have the time to answer everything, and possibly don’t have the inclination to (and publically). But this shit fascinates me. I think accepting access to practice/pressers would be incredible for your site. It could make 30 minutes to an hour of my average day that much better, and as such, there is a tremendous amount riding on the outcome of your decision.
1. What could they possibly ask of you regarding site content? I realize that if the SID is waiting to set a meeting to discuss mgoblog press passes for practice/post-practice pressers, then they’re probably going to do some recon on the site (side note, shouldn’t the UM SID already be aware of mgoblog?). My guess is that after evaluation they either issue the credentials, or don’t. Do you actually think there is a chance they will condition the access based on "you can write this but you can’t write that?" You can criticize the players and coaches openly but you can’t use foul language? Use whatever language you want but you can’t criticize anyone? I mean, WTF could he tell you? They obviously wouldn’t have this conversation with a print media journalist. I always figured that when it came to this sort of thing, once they issued the credentials it was up to the individual to decide what to do with it, with the threat that it could always be yanked if "abused". There’s a chance access could come with explicit instructions?
2. Would they consider some sort of restricted access? You alluded to this. Again, my thought has always been that press credentials once issued were one size fits all. Perhaps some are like limited season ticket plans? You get access to a few practices and few press conferences? You can attend the practices/pressers but not ask questions? I also wonder if they’ll take into consideration the lackeys at rivals and scout, guys who have toed the hell out of the company line and who get paid directly via premium memberships to dole out tiny processed nuggets of info. If you (or any other UM bloggers) get the back stage pass, those sites are basically going to be reduced to recruiting only and loose about 30-50% of their utility IMO.
3. Don’t you have to try this? When you talk about the Mgoblog’s pov, a large component of the blog has been reactionary against the program and against the MSM. UM as we’ve known it has been overly conservative in every aspect, including on the field and access to info. Part of what Mgoblog has done is to try and shine a light into the dark corners, and call a spade a spade as far as performance. Access to practice would obviously contribute significantly to performance evaluation. Another huge aspect of the blog is to take us where the MSM is too lazy (or in some cases, to constrained by space/deadlines/etc.) to go. Having practice access, and being able to ask real questions, would obviously be a boon there. Think of being able to ask assistant coaches specific questions? Those guys can hardly help themselves when it comes to talking football.
4. Would this be too expensive? Would you make more money? Is this too much for one man/site to handle? Lets say they open the door for you. All access. Practice, locker room, pressers, etc. Once you can go there and do that on an equal basis with the MSM, do you then have to start covering this team like a beat reporter? I mean, you don’t have to. But we’ll want you too. You may want to too. Would it be too expensive/time consuming? Could you get more dollars for your work? What fan wouldn’t want one of its most passionate, knowledgeable, and articulate fans to go Almost Famous? I gotta think there’s a raise in there somewhere.
4. If you don’t do this, are you leaving the corners dark on purpose? Not to get all psychoanalytical on you an’ shit, but is being an "outsider" too much a part of the blog’s identity that changing the status alone makes you wonder about Mgoblog’s place in the world?
5. Could you farm this out to someone else? Lets say they don’t have a problem with allowing people to report on what they see at practice, but they would want you to tone it down too far. Isn’t there some square ex-coach or someone we can find to start a blog and do this?
6. Bottom Line Hypothetically, lets say they offer you a shit-ton of access. (Perhaps I'm jumping the gun here, but one day its the big 10 meetings, the next day its access to summer practice, isn't locker room interview status the next logical step?) In exchange, you have to forego the 7 dirty words in anything you personally post, and you must refrain from posting or linking to any R-rated imagery. Is it a go? Would you solicit reader input first? I’d want you to say "yes", for sure. Nobody gets a twitter out of a well placed "cocksucker" or "finger blasting" dropped into their morning reading than I do. But for me its much more about the football.
1. I don't think they would necessarily drop restrictions on what I could say; I think what would happen is that I would post something they didn't like and they would say "WTF?" and I would be like "Dude, come on" and they would be like "tits or GTFO."
2. Meeting Madej, the SID, in Chicago was weird, because he wanted to talk to me about stuff and when I mentioned a desire to stay out of the pressbox he was almost insistent on me at least trying it out. I think they're just as confused as I am.
3. Yeah, pretty much.
4. I think it might help credibility, and that would have some beneficial effect on traffic and it would help the blog make more money. But if the blog turned into "I'm a beat reporter but I don't have a newspaper" a lot of people would flee and the blog would lose money.
The blog is in a truly excellent position for everyone, IMO. I have every incentive to do things that benefit the community around the blog because that's the site's unique selling point: being a beacon in a Rivals/Scout/Newspaper-comments world. This is what I want to do. By in large, I'm proud of the fact that I've drawn the sort of community I have and I want to do the sorts of things the community likes. I look at WLA as my own Kissing Suzy Kolber, except WLA is awesome and heartfelt instead of kind of disturbing.
4(b). This is related to 4(a) above: I honestly don't know. I was a rank outsider in Chicago and kind of disgusted with the insiders. Will I necessarily become more of an insider if I continue doing this? Do I want that? (No.)
5. Maybe. The blog revenue stream does not, at this time, permit me to think about bringing on someone who can do these sorts of things much better than I could. But in the future... I mean, Sean Yuille (Michigan Sports Center) was born for this stuff but is he going to have a job in four years when he graduates college? Can I give him that job? Does it make sense?
6. Yes to user input. This is a symbiotic relationship, and I am reliant on (and indebted to) my readers. Anything serious-serious will get vetted.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:49 AM ^
September 8th, 2008 at 6:49 PM ^