Amen, Monte Poole. Huzzah times ten to Lowell Cohn, Tim Kawakami, and Mark Purdy.
These are sports writers and bloggers for the local papers who have refused to go on local talk shows because, unless they're an "Insider", they're not being paid. The fees these folks get is a rather small stipend, (as I reported Thursday), but still, the fact that some guys get paid and others don't is frankly, absurd, not to mention, small-minded too. Can you say, "greed?"
The idea that multi-billion dollar companies like Cumulus and Entercom can't pony up a few bucks to compensate these contributors is obscene. It would be downright hilarious if it weren't so sad.
And it had an evolution that began here: almost a decade ago, Ira Miller, the distinguished Pro-football/NFL writer for the SF Chronicle was a regular, weekly contributor on the Barbieri/Tolbert show on KNBR.
After awhile, Miller wanted to get paid. KNBR refused. Miller then refused to do another show. Good for Ira, and by the way, Ira really didn't need the money, it was a matter of principle.
Without speaking for Cohn, Kawakami, and Purdy, I would speculate that all are doing OK and can't imagine them depending on small stipends from the coffers of KNBR and 95.7, "The Game", (owned by Cumulus and Entercom, respectfully).
And true, some writers do these shows gratis because they get exposure and figure its all worth it. That's all well in good, but if so-called "Insiders" are getting compensated and others are not, then there's a problem.
And finally, someone took a stand.
Amen.
*Follow me on Twitter
*Tips/E-Mail: Rich.Lieberman@gmail.com
Lowell bought a Prius,not a Greg Papa like Bently,so the added income couldn't hurt-ah,kidding ya Lowell.
ReplyDeleteEh,maybe Lund was kidding about Greg's auto. Somebody follow him and get back to me.
Getting paid isn't an issue as big as choosing one station over the other based on threats from KNBR. I take it that 95.7 hasn't gone down that road?..But back to the big Corps. Your right,they want something for nothing,if they can, EVERYTHING for nothing. Go occupiers!
And I see some heavy Dan Dibley hate posts on local blogs like BASG..that's just plain desperation by KNBR.
Rich, you do not understand the free market economy at all, let alone the changing dynamics of radio industry finances.
ReplyDeleteHINT #1: no one is listening to the radio anymore. There is no money to pay dinosaurs like Owens and Barbieri. Or their overdue replacements.
HINT#2: The owners of the stations, it's THEIR MONEY, they get to spend it anyway they see fit. If you don't like it, listen to something else.
Most of you "progressives" are self righteously opposed to any change in anything you like while reaping the benefits of changes in other markets.
I've always wondered why banks have been the only Occupy target. Why not go after Cumulus and Clear Channel (home of a certain divisive fat mouth)? Why not go after Exxon Mobil, who still continue to refuse to clean up the rest of their Alaska and Wyoming messes yet still get away with being the Masters Golf Tournament's chief sponsor? Go after the corporation that are either hurt or disgracing the regular consumer/customer!
ReplyDeleteThe whole "insider" thing is a big joke in the first place -- all marketing and hype.
ReplyDeleteIt's apparently supposed to imply that these writers/reporters have some special access to the team(s) they're covering, but I have yet to see an "insider" scoop a regular beat writer or columnist in any meaningful way.
I met Mark Purdy last night at the Sharks game. I shook his hand and told him great stuff on breaking the Bill Neukum/Giants thing. And I told him he sure showed up all those "Insiders". He got a pretty big laugh from that. He's a damn good writer/journalist. Not many left.
ReplyDelete11:23 has it right ... "All marketing & hype".
ReplyDeleteKNBR got the 'Insider' from Comcast ... Comcast got the 'Insider' from ESPN online where one must pay a subcription to read "Insder's" hot info.
This is a typical marketing approach. Many businesses (incl banks) charge fees for some service that 'are perceived to have MORE VALUE'. That's the key, perception in the mind of the buyer / listener is supposed to increase the credibility of the product or service.
Most of the readers of this blog already see through this charade.
... And another thing!! Ha. Whoever thought it is could entertainment when one sports journalist interviews another sports journalist? They should be interviewing players or coaches or GMs .... but that is rare.
Active players never have anything to say, unless you are looking for cliches.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with 10:41 AM who points out that all of this is about MONEY and that's what makes all economies go 'round whether that is unseemly or not. Guys like Monte Poole would get their money if there was money to be made for Cumulus and Entercom who is in business to make money, NOT to entertain.
ReplyDeleteIt's not 'obscene' it's business. If you want him on the air Rich, then you pay him. What, you can't afford it? Neither can those two corporations--which is why he isn't there. It's not rocket science.
For those who are open-minded enough to hear the positives of that dirty word "greed", listen to a 2 minute YouTube vid of Milton Friedman talking to Phil Donahue back in 1979 when the prime interest rates was around 22% (the direct reason why Carter didn't get a 2nd term).
I love Monte Poole, but unless you have a wealthy corporation who has a radio/TV station PLUS the money to pay him what he wants PLUS an audience (and ad revenue to justify Monte's money), he will not have a pulpit on which to speak, and that's the way it is in every facet of our lives.
104,ignores one fact. They HAVE the money to pay Jenkins. Monte,praised to the hilt by Radnich and called by Radnich the best combo of writer and TV personality,doesn't seem to be good enough for Radnich to show some balls and still have him on. No arguments with Lee or Lew or Bob over his "good friend Monte" to keep him on the show. No sit outs by Raddy. No loyalty to anybody but himself is Radnich.
ReplyDeleteHell,its only because Krueger is now a co -host that Radnich praises him-more money for Raddy in a way huh? Otherwise Krueger could go back to selling life insurance for all Radnich cares.
To quote Scott Ostler after Radncih said he loved the man, "You've never invited me to your home".
1:47, remember it's THEIR MONEY. I am old fashioned, I earn my money and I decide how I spend it. Everyone can opine on how Cumulus should spend their money but it's really no one's business, unless you are a radical and think you and your pals have the right to spend other's cash. I hear the Castro's do a good job of that.
ReplyDeleteRadnich interviewing Matt Barnes.. I wonder if Matt knew Raddy had been using 50,000 watts to say earlier that "nobody" will go to the charity game of Barnes.
ReplyDeleteGary's such a great guy.
208-
ReplyDeleteCumulus? their greed took what had been free for decades-guest writers- and because of 95.7 started to show local writers what KNBR thought they REALLY were worth to them-lol.
I dont know about you-but those out of town writers put me to sleep. Drone,and useless info about Jacksonville...