According to this article in The New
York Times, a large number of ESPN staffers used one of those "all hands" meetings corporate
muckety-mucks like to hold to vent about what they see as problems with the channel airing a reality series
that stars Barry Bonds. About half the staffers, including Bonds' "personal ESPN reporter", Pedro Gomez, were concerned that, because ESPN paid for the rights to produce and broadcast this series, it's journalistic integrity might be called into question with regards to stories about the controversial slugger. Also of concern was the fact that Bonds may use the show as a platform to rip on other ESPN personalities who criticize him for his "alleged" use of steroids, details of which are spelled out in the new book Game of Shadows. Finally, staffers also wanted to know if ESPN Original Entertainment, the division of the network that will oversee the show, will sit on any breaking news that happens to come up while they're in the process of making the show.
Mike Wallace was even sucked into the argument; he was at the meeting to discuss his interview methods (he was paid for the appearance), and many of the questions to him revolved around the Bonds situation. Mike's reaction? Well, "You've got to be kidding" pretty much tells you all you need to know, doesn't it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-01-2006 @ 2:12PM
Tucker said...
Well, if it's to TRULY be a reality show, they'll have to show Barry juicing, right?
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