Mike Shumann is suffering now; I don't know that for a fact but I'm just guessing. We're all human and we all make mistakes and I'm betting Mike Shumann is really sorry and is thinking that he had a bad dream and that all the shit that's transpired in the last week would go away. Again, just a hunch.I don't know Shumann all that well but enough to know that he's not a bad guy; he just made a stupid move and he's paying the price. I don't think Mike is a thief I just think he did something really, really dumb and impulsive and was caught in a rough spot. I'm obviously not a shrink but I think Mike did something out of sight and mind and really truly is sorry for what he did. And that's assuming he actually, intentionally stole a guy's jacket. It's so unbelievably out of character and dumb for Mike to have done what he did; for all we know maybe he was intending to retrieve the guy's jacket and get it back to him. Could we all just be assuming the worst? And speaking of such, look, I don't think a momentary lack of judgement calls for a firing of a man who's been at a company for almost thirty years. Shumann didn't rob a bank or knock an old lady to the ground and rob her. Those are extreme examples I acknowledge but so is the reaction to Shumann's lack of judgement.
Again, I don't know Mike real well; we've talked a few times over the phone and exchanged pleasantries at Warriors' games but I don't think he's a bad guy and is certainly no thief; I just think he made a very bad mistake. And he's genuinely sorry and in that context deserves the benefit of the doubt. But I'm maybe in the minority. We all seem to want to kick a guy when he's down and I'm feeling many want to kick Mike Shumann. He doesn't deserve that.
I don't condone what Mike did, accidental or not. Again, it was dumb and stupid. I know that and I think Mike is kicking himself and he knows it too. We've all made dumb decisions in life and this was capital DUMB. So you tell Mike he was dumb and, I don't know, suspend him for a couple weeks with no pay? That's what I would hope KGO/Disney would do and meet with the Warriors players and organization and be contrite but I'm being naïve, I know.
Because I think Disney will fire Mike because we're all in a feeding frenzy and want a guy's head because he did such an awful thing. Look, for the thousandth time, the guy made a huge mistake and probably cost a career for doing such but I'm thinking big picture he should be given a chance at redemption. Yes, I know many of you want his ass fired and shown the door because that's just that but I'm willing to give Schu a second chance. He's got a life and family and career --and a momentary lack of judgement shouldn't kill that. But that's just me.
These old, white haired guys should step aside and let a younger group come in.
ReplyDeleteThis incident is the kind of lame-brained antics old guys think is funny.
Yeah, because young guys never steal things that belong to other people and then "apologize."
DeleteNow, wait, who was that skinny kid with the smirk on his face who said "I take full responsibility and I'm sorry" for the xxxth time in front of Congress last week? You know, the one who's done this sort of thing over and over since college and has been sued a million times and always gets out of it because he can hire the priciest lawyers?
Yes, and, your generation eats Tide Pods.
DeleteRacists like you will be surprised at the smack down karma provides eventually.
DeleteThis old guy is not amused
DeleteThere is one old lame-brained guy, who has orange hair and a bad combover, who should step aside ASAP.
DeleteWell, what is Mikes side of the situation ?? Did he steal the thing or not?? If he didn't, then what was he doing ?? If he did then termination is warranted, same as anyone else that steals while on the job...
ReplyDeleteUm, did you read the article?
Deletewhy haven't we heard from him ?
ReplyDeleteWe need to hear his side of the story before calling for his head. People demanding he be fired immediately have a screw loose. Why would anyone demand he be fired anyway? How's that make your life better?
ReplyDeleteHaven't you learned that in the court of public opinion you *never* hear both sides, whether it's someone accused of sexual misconduct 20 years ago from a then-starlet, now-hostess at Chilis who can't remember the details anymore but insists it happened to Shumann.
Delete#MeTooBullshit
DeleteI hear where you are coming from Rich, but don't you think there's more at play than just how the employer feels about the employee? Isn't it plausible that if he is in fact terminated for stealing that it has to do with how relationships OUTSIDE of the company are affected? How could the company still have credibility and trust by sending a known thief into the facilities of partner organizations? Would you feel the same way if a housekeeper in a hotel stole your coat?
ReplyDelete...she's a really really super nice lady who just had a momentary lapse of judgement. She's been at the hotel for 30 years!
A poster to the SFGATE Blog said that another station is reporting that this was an after-game incident, and everyone else had left the premises. The jacket was left on a chair.
ReplyDeleteIf that's the case, I see no other scenario other than he picked it up to reunite it with its owner.
I worked with Mike, when he was with both KGO TV and Radio. I cannot imagine theft. I can well imagine "Hey, someone left his jacket behind."
> If that's the case, I see no other scenario other than
Delete> he picked it up to reunite it with its owner.
Funny, picking something up after everyone has gone and the place is empty...I only see a completely different scenario. The problem is, everyone today forgets there are video cameras everywhere.
I just looked at KPIX news video and Mike picked up a jacket and then went over to another seat and picked something else up. I guessing he was returning them...
DeleteExactly, he certainly knows there were cameras on everything around there, so the suggestion that he "stole" the jacket is ridiculous.
DeleteIf team members are now refusing KGO interviews and other teams might potentially do the same, if they aren't already, then management has no choice but to fire him. It's about accountability, not how long he's been with the station, getting paid (too much) money.
ReplyDeleteIf only politicians and cops were held to such standards...
I am confused as to whether he stole it or not. Did he see it lying there and want to give it to its owner? How do we know? What it some kind of special jacket or a sports coat?
ReplyDeleteDumb act if it did happen. Mike is a long time player and sportscaster here and this makes no sense. He can afford the jacket, which makes this even more perplexing. Everybody is allowed to make mistakes, and this is a big one, but Mike deserves a chance to fix this with both the Warriors and ABC.
ReplyDeleteAgree 12:09pm.
DeleteHe can afford a men's sports coat.
Why waste a career over this?
Good post.
ReplyDeleteAs long as he returns it, I don't see the problem. Wasn't he planning on doing that, anyway? The way he was looking it over, it looked like he was trying to identify the owner to do just that.
ReplyDelete> As long as he returns it, I don't see the problem.
DeleteWell, you're an idiot then.
> Wasn't he planning on doing that, anyway?
I was just driving your car around town because I found it unattended. Wasn't I planning to give it back to you anyway?
Get a grip, lamebrain. It wasn't a Mercedes Benz, it was a cheap atheletic jacket!
DeleteFirst time, caught.
ReplyDeleteThere are many unattended possessions in locker rooms that he has access to. There is a trust between the press and the teams he covers. Hell, he was a pro athlete once, he knows that.
Unless he can convince others that he mistook the coat for one that he wore that day, at that place, he should be fired. Gotta send a message, make an example.
Wow, I'm an old white haired guy and I don't think it's funny. From the comments in the first post I assume that the writer is a young person and that generation has always seemed more accepting and tolerant than people of my age, but maybe not in every case.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about Shumann, he has always seemed like a stand-up guy but this appears to be quite a lapse in judgement. I'm sure glad some of the things I have done weren't captured on camera; I have been pretty foolish at times.
well he has options, 1/ he was drunk
ReplyDelete2/ it was a dare 3/ he was cold and needed a cover...he got caught deal with it but give him his pension...
All fireable offenses.
DeleteDo you think that if an intern stole Mike Schumann's jacket from the newsroom that he/she wouldn't be immediately fired with cause? Why is everyone so quick to defend Schumann without knowing what actually happened? I'm not asking for him be to be fired without knowing the details but I'm not defending his actions either.
ReplyDeleteThe Warriors players are upset because they believe there is a giant double standard in regards to race. That shouldn't be dismissed and should be considered.
If this was a prank. It was a dumb one and he should be fired. It's a privilege to be able to work behind the scenes where "fans" are not allowed access to and with it brings responsbility that we don't ask for autographs and have respect for the team and their property.
If his intention was to steal the jacket from Steph Curry's bodyguard then he should be treated like anyone else who steals.
If this was an accident then Mike should clear the air.
.... has anyone mentioned this to Ethan Bearman yet? Perhaps he might recomend some aroma therapy.
ReplyDeleteor some numbskull diet of his.
DeleteEthan Bearman, the weakest radio host in America.
I've run into this in my workplace: Do you fire someone for stealing, or only for stealing something really valuable?
ReplyDeleteDrunk driving is also dumb, but Rich, would you argue that it shouldn't be punished useless you are in an accident and hurt/kill someone?
> Do you fire someone for stealing, or only for stealing
Delete> something really valuable?
Boy, the comments keep getting stupider and stupider. What's not valuable to you may mean everything to me. And the legal definition of theft does not include a range of value, however that would even be determined.
Reading the posts on this television blog, I understand now why news directors dumb down their product so much. The people who watch TV news are dummies.
I think the question is what is the penalty, not whether there is guilt. The law does make a difference between say, petty theft and grand theft depending on the value of what was stolen, and the penalties are different.
DeleteI barely recognized him with the gym shorts and backwards baseball cap. He looked right at home.I think he may have another side to his personality. He stole the jacket. He was not looking for the owner.
ReplyDeleteThe Warriors players are around Shumann a lot. They now refuse to talk to him. If they think he stole the jacket rather than simply made a mistake, he probably stole the jacket.
ReplyDeleteIn that case, there are a lot of people in the San Francisco workforce who are embarrassing their employers with their perverse and immoral activity off work and should be fired.
DeleteSurprisingly sensible observations from Mr. Lieberman; a lapse in judgement shouldn't jettison a thirty year career.
ReplyDeleteIv'e always enjoyed his television work and in radio interviews, Shumann seems like a very decent guy.
I hate it when people think they know TV personalities because they watch them. I've worked at all the Bay Area stations, every one. Some of the "nicest" people on air are assholes privately, and some who are accused of being standoffish on air (Brian Hackney comes to mind) are some of the finest people I've ever met. And lapses in judgment often do jettison careers--the number of years is irrelevant. If the players won't talk to your station anymore, if your credibility is gone, who cares how many years the source of your problems has been at the station?
DeleteI don't think there is a choice. If he stole the jacket he's likely going to be fired. An employer and teams would no longer trust him, and trust is vital for his position. If he did it he thought he was entitled and wouldn't get caught. I would guess this wasn't the first time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 3:57, and LOL to 2:17.
ReplyDeleteAnybody read any responses from his ex-49er teammates, Joe Cool included?
Doesn't he have the money and connection to get one for free or good price?
ReplyDeleteJust another spoiled ex jock, who thinks he above the law. Maybe he was going to turn in at the lost and found. Poor baby got caught. Face the music bitch.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he has some traumatic brain injury from all his years in football that is now manifesting itself. He would not be the first to do something way out of character due to CTE.
ReplyDeleteShumann's punishment should be to listen to KNBR for 24 continuous hours.
ReplyDeleteNext he should be forced to produce the Ronn Owens Report.
if he survives that, he could get another 24 hours of mike urban matt colski, uncle "steiny" and uncle "towney"..ahh the arrogance that is greg and derek papa
DeleteI hate to say it, but he’ll be fired, no question about it. He was caught on video. He didn’t dispute that he did it, but went to players to apologize. Contracts for on-air talent have morality clauses that allow for a firing for something like this. Plus they can replace him with somebody cheaper. And Angela Alioto won’t be representing him because she’s too busy running for mayor.
ReplyDeleteThere’s one more problem. The Athletic story says some Warriors players think he got preferential treatment, believing that if he were black he would have been arrested. As a result some players have vowed to not give Channel 7 interviews even though the station has an exclusive deal with the team for Post-game interviews. If they don’t fire Shumann, that problem will only get worse.
Shumann’s career is over but it could have been worse — he could have been arrested too.
What was his motivation for taking the jacket? Was it to impress a special girl friend?
ReplyDeleteBottom line, what kind of jacket was this?
ReplyDeleteIf it was sportcoat with a wallet, ID, etc., then he is a degenerate.
If it was cool looking warrior gear that only "privelidged" athletes receive for free and he thought "why not me?", then he is an idiot.
Fake News. He didn't steal shit.
ReplyDeleteI saw the video. It looked like he just he just picked up some discarded swag as a souvenir. It looked like someone just tossed a jacket on a stadium seat as if they didn't want it. I have been to games where teams hand out shirts, hats or plastic cups. You see people all the time take the stuff that people don't want and have left behind on the seats. I would imagine in the seats reserved for the team big shots, the left over swag is stuff like jackets that they don't give people like me who sit in the cheap seats. I think if I saw that jacket left behind on a seat like that, I would just assume it was some piece of swag that no one wanted. The team employees I imagine get inundated with that stuff
ReplyDeleteAwe c'mon, it's just a coat.
ReplyDelete"He may have been returning the jacket..."
ReplyDeleteOh please. This story would have been over in 2 minutes if that was the case... Rich, take your head out of the sand!!
Given Shumann's position in relation to the team, if he really did intend to return the jacket, I'd expect he would have a number to call/contact someone on the team right away. Even if it was a press contact at the Warriors, they would have at least said, "Mike did call us to let us know he found this jacket and was trying to alert us he had found it." But I guess cellphones don't work in San Antonio. I'm leaning toward him thinking no one would see him do this. Doesn't matter that he's a former pro ball player or not. No one would have thought O.J. had the capacity....not comparing this to murder, obviously, but the point is we truly never know someone. This was a crime of opportunity.
ReplyDeleteHe hands were quicker to grab a jacket than they ever were to grab a football.
ReplyDeleteAt one point, long ago, I was involved in hiring Shu.
ReplyDeleteOver the years when we worked together I found him to be focused on his job - yes, it is a job - of presenting sports in an entertaining manner.
He was ALWAYS a pro and focused on what was important. Plus, he had insights that other may not have offered.
I also learned that Shu is a caring individual who carries loyalties forward. If you are a friend, he is always going to be there for you.
That said, Shu also has a portion of his persona which can only be described as a 'jokester'.
I would hope that this event can be attributed to that part of his personage.
I have plenty of events in my past (all undertaken in a sense of a joke) which, if they had been undertaken in this age of uber-surveillance, could have resulted in several 'negative' marks on my judicial record.
Were they poor choices of action on MY part? YES!
Was THIS a stupid move on Shu's part? YES!
Was THIS indicative of Shu's entire life's purpose and sense of values? I DO NOT BELIEVE SO!
Now...based on some of the responses I have read here, I expect there will be any amount of snarky responses to my thoughts.
That is okay. I judge them by the source.
Mike - Bad choice of action, but you are still a quality guy.
And you have done FAR more good than you are given credit for. (Yeah.....I know that you shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition. This worked for me - deal with it.)
I don't think Mike is Winona Ryder. If this is a habit and he's stolen before, then there's reason to let him go. But, the problem for Mike is that he's always going to have this label and in that business, it's a curse. KGO knows this and given Mike's apology to the station, fans, and team, he doesn't excuse the behavior by saying he was just looking to return the jacket to the owner. He took it. He's sorry. Sadly, for him and his family, that may not be enough.
ReplyDeletestupid jacket, made in China..signifying nothing
ReplyDeleteThat jacket is worth more than you and your mama's rent.
DeleteI think his sense of entitlement got the best of him.
ReplyDeleteWhy did the camera follow him? I would of expected it to be fixed.
ReplyDeleteIf it were Vernon Glenn instead of Shumann, would he have been arrested?
ReplyDeleteRich, your comment above is why I like you so much. Reasoned and reasonable, but maybe that's just our generation.
ReplyDeleteseems like people are freaked out and using distractions like schuman instead of the deterioration of the world view. but maybe this will pass.
ReplyDelete