I hope this thread is OK here in the Red Forum. I'm new, but after looking at the Off Topic Forum, I concluded this was the best place. If not, please feel free to move it where it needs to go.
I've been thinking lately, about what I am seeing with regard to our local Tampa Bay sports journalists. It appears to me, that lately the Bucs are bending over backwards to accommodate our local sports media. I know times change, and so do rules. I remember a few years back when most of our local sports writers suddenly also had to be sports broadcasters when for instance, the tribune and channel 8 were in the same building. Now though, there seems to be a new kind of cozy going on. If you've watched some of the offseason vids on the Bucs Official site, they are inviting local sports writers and broadcasters into these (for lack of a better word) "panel shows". I'll be the first to admit they are interesting, but I cannot help wonder what this does to a local sports beat writer as far as him still maintaining objectivity. I do know, a decade ago, no local TV station would have permitted one of their sports reporters to sit and do a panel show produced by, and from, OBP.That said, it's a new media world out there. And let's face it, the Bucs Media Guy, Scott Smith is not exactly the most entertaining guy to watch or listen to, so he can use all the help he can get. Still though, the old school part of me still sees flags, and has obvious objections to this new local sports media compilation mix. It certainly makes for better productions out of OBP, but at what cost down the road?
