Media ? for Doogie

[GrayShouldPlayReceiver]

How much of an advantage do you think "College Town" programs have over programs such as Minnesota (in terms of media perception and overall positive spin from the media?) I have some thoughts, but I wanted to hear a true media member's ideas before throwing out my 2 cents. Thanks!!!

 

[Doogie]

I think it varies from market to market... markets where the newspaper guys went to the school, and now have been covering the school for 20+ years, and even longer in some cases, = a lot of positive coverage.
Tough question to answer overall though having not spent a lot of time in the "college town" cities you are referencing... for all I know, Knoxville Tenn. TV and radio stations, & the Knoxville paper may destroy the Vols... Same might be true in Tallahassee with the recent struggles of the Seminoles.
Might be worth researching.

 

[GrayShouldPlayReceiver]

Thanks for responding! How about Iowa City and Madison? I know you have spent or know many people from those towns. It just seems that media members need to be careful of what they say or print because their jobs depend on getting access to teams. If "College Town" media rip their teams they won't get as much access. I just think that many times perception is reality and the Gophers have been far from setting the world on fire, but not nearly as bad as members of the Twin Cities media portrays it to be. In a way, a College Town media acts as positive advertisements for football programs or other athletic teams. People argue that the Gophers, being in a good sized market have an advantage, but I don't think the current media would ever let that be a realization. I think this is a good talker and would like to get other fans perspectives. Thanks!

 

[anonymous]

Here's one item worth considering: Every player for the Hawkeyes who gets a minor consumption ticket ends up in the newspaper. To the point where it has become a public relations problem for Ferentz.

While arrests make the paper here, very few (if any) citations make the newspaper here unless the player has been in trouble. It usually takes a player being hauled downtown to jail and being in the public jail log for somebody to end up in the paper.

There are pros and cons to both.

For example, the Star Tribune stories are distributed nationally to subscribers of the McClatchy-Tribune wire service. That isn't the case with some college town papers.

One other item to consider: Winning leads to a lot more positive coverage.