TORONTO (Aug. 13) — At first, I thought it pertained to a particular story and author. Then, I looked more closely and realized a decision had been made across the board. A strong, progressive decision by someone with clear authority at Sportsnet.ca. Comments from readers are no longer permitted on the company’s website. Which flies in the face of practically every other media outlet in North America. Since the advent of the Internet, reader comments have been a vehicle for expanding the number and frequency of on–line visits. The concept of interaction was therefore solid and well–intentioned. Problem is that virtually no media outlet chose to moderate such remarks, providing a forum for every basement–dwelling wacko on the planet. A company’s most–valued employees would be routinely excoriated by observations that — were those offering such drivel identifiable — would invite the most–basic charges of libel and slander. Instead, media companies stood back and allowed their contributors to be assailed with impugnity; often involving the use of obscene language. Quite frankly, it made no sense.
Why pay a writer to provide entertainment and insight, only to have anonymous readers attack and destroy that person’s best effort? And, therefore, the writer’s credibility? In rare instances, when a thoughtful reader offered rational criticism, it acted as a form of checks and balance. But, the overwhelming majority of remarks were parochial and idiotic, casting unwitting scorn on the company and its employee. As with so much in our dumbed–down universe, it attracted the lowest common denominator among us. Sportsnet.ca has therefore magnified its integrity and trustworthiness by quieting those that possess neither the inclination nor intellect to offer constructive opinion. Some will undoubtedly miss the perverse revelry offered by these antisocial and insensitive clowns, but not nearly enough to continue the practice. It should be quickly followed by other credible outlets (including newspapers). Productive change is initiated by a decision maker — in this case, an editor and/or company executive — with foresight to look beyond the ubiquitous nonsense provided by individuals hiding beneath a pseudonym.
This should not, however, absolve editors from seeking balance. At Sportsnet.ca, there are two solitudes. One is provided by veteran baseball correspondent Shi Davidi, who offers a near–perfect blend of observation and appraisal of the company owned Toronto Blue Jays. The other involves those assigned to cover the Toronto Maple Leafs — now also controlled by parent company Rogers –– who cannot (or will not) separate knowledge and perception from their unconstrained devotion to the hockey club. Luke Fox and Justin Bourne are squarely in this corner and will undoubtedly benefit most from the removal of reader comments. If, however, the same editor(s) that made such a bright decision continue to allow for unchecked boosterism, it will provide readers glaring duplicity.
We all know the company that butters the bread for Davidi, Fox and Bourne. As do the writers, themselves.
Unbridled criticism toward the “home team” is clearly frowned upon in an environment of branding and conflict of interest, under which all of Toronto professional sport operates. Media and club ownership will forever be ridiculous bedfellows. But, that’s simply the lay of the land in a country that refuses to regulate monopolistic practice. As such, Edward Rogers (a.k.a. Ed the Conqueror) owns every piece of the Toronto sports pie. To anticipate a noticeable measure of evenness and integrity from those under the Rogers’ umbrella is foolhardy. Still, there is need for the sort of journalistic equity long provided by Davidi in his coverage of baseball… while routinely ignored by the company’s hockey contributors. There must develop some linear responsibility among all writers at Sportsnet.ca.
NOTE: TSN has also removed readership commentary from its website. But, it has little relevance to this blog given that parent company, Bell Canada, no longer holds an active stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
Rogers, by comparison, is MLSE, controlling all professional sports teams in the city.
FROM THE LIBRARY…
While reorganizing my hockey bookshelf this week, I thought I would share with you a number of the “coffee–table” items I’ve accumulated through the years. As you’ll notice, a common theme was provided by the late and prolific author, Mike Leonetti, who acquired the vast array of strobe–lit photographs taken by Harold Barkley through much of the 1960’s. Mike parlayed that acquisition into a number of attractive and now–coveted publications. Please enjoy this photo spread:
1976: McClelland and Stewart Limited. Edited by Stan Obodiac.
LEFT — 1998: Raincoast Books, Vancouver. RIGHT — 1999. Raincoast Books. Mike Leonetti, Harold Barkley, Dennis Miles.
LEFT — 2002: Raincoast Books. Leonetti. RIGHT — 2016: McClelland and Stewart. Kevin Shea, Jason Wilson.
LEFT — 1989: Prentice–Hall, Canada. Billy Harris. CENTER — 2001: Harper–Collins, Canada. Leonetti, Barkley. RIGHT — 2011: Greystone Books, Vancouver. Leonetti, Barkley.
LEFT — 1979: McClelland and Stewart. Obodiac. RIGHT — 1981: Kendall–Hunt Publishing. Obodiac.
LEFT — 2000: Team Power Publishing. Chris Goyens, Frank Orr. RIGHT — 1996: Les Editions Effix. Allan Turowetz, Jean–Luc Duguay.
LEFT — 2000: Tehabi Books. Bob Verdi / 2008: Fenn Publishing. Andrew Podnieks. RIGHT — 1991: McClelland and Stewart. Dan Diamond. / 1992: McClelland and Stewart. Diamond.
LEFT — 2008: Raincoast Books. Leonetti, John Iaboni. RIGHT — 1993: Warwick Publishing. Leonetti, Barkley.
2007: Beaver’s Pond Press, Edina, Minnesota. Lou Nanne, Bob Showers.
EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM
I have been watching, playing, reading about, and coaching (minor- retired) hockey over a span of 50+ years (I actually remember the last Leafs Cup win), and I disagree, it is not a strong stance, but a run and hide from your failings act of cowardice. I will refer mostly to Sportsnet, as I did not use the TSN comments section, so will not miss it.
Sure, there are meatheads in the comments sections, they’re everywhere. But there were also many opportunities to interact with and learn from fans from other teams, especially Western conference teams, and to read thoughtful fan point of view comments about teams and players I might be less aware of back East. It was especially fun in the playoffs, to follow other series and commiserate with fellow fans (all fans have a backup team) and rib fans of the formidable Panthers (hard not to respect what they did to the Canes in the semi-final though).
Most team beat writers are guilty of bias, but Bourne and Fox elevate this bias to a new level. But they are often criticized for their lack of objectivity when it comes to the Leafs, and it is well deserved. Their Leaf articles barely rise above the level of poor fan fiction, in spite of the use, and misuse, of “advanced” stats. It is notable that Bourne at least, becomes a reasonable, and more readable voice when not writing about the Leafs. I may agree or disagree with him, but I respect his opinion much more when it isn’t buried in yet another Leafs fluff piece.
Sportsnet, justifiably, receives, and will continue to receive a lot of criticism for not only the poor technical quality of their hockey broadcast, but also about their top play by play team, Chris Cuthbertson and Craig Simpson, the president and vice-president, respectively, of the TML fan club. TSN’s broadcast is much better and their broadcast team is superior to that of Sportsnet, in spite of Sportsnet being the NHL rights-holder. TSN is also up front about any bias, as each team has a regional broadcast team (e.g. Habs or Sens on TSN), which simply means that more the emphasis is on the home team, warts and all. Even Amazon Prime’s Monday Night Hockey, in its first season, was better than Sportsnet, if perhaps a little too American NFL circus like in its approach. So much hoopla and flashiness obscures the commentary, but good broadcast quality.
I don’t watch television other than hockey, so I don’t subscribe to cable service, just Sportsnet, TSN and Prime web services. It would be nice if Sportsnet actually cared enough about fans to deploy a Roku app, like all the other networks, and had a decent webcast quality. I subscribe to Sportsnet through Amazon Prime (the price is the same) because Prime has an app and I can watch the games on my large flatscreen without having to cast via Chromecast from my laptop, thus removing a layer of wonkiness from an already poor quality broadcast. I watch games on both TSN and Prime effortlessly on my TV via apps.
The networks will blather on about the knowledgeable hockey fans in Canada and their dedicated engagement, but are too frightened of them and any criticism to allow a comments section, even a moderated version. It has long been commonly accepted among hockey fans that the worst thing about NHL Hockey is the NHL, but in Canada at least, Sportsnet is in strong contention for that crown.
Years ago, tsn.ca was my to go website for sports. Then they got rid of comments so I move to sportsnet.ca Now that sportsnet.ca has removed their comments, I’ll find somewhere else to get my sports news.
I always enjoy seeing your collection and looking back on the NHL of my youth. I wasn’t a dedicated reader of hockey books, but I did read Dick Irvin’s book “The Habs”. It was excellent. If you haven’t read it you should as it reads the same way Dick spoke on HNIC, plus it has a story about Battleship Leduc, the GREATEST hockey player name EVER.
Regarding the discontinuation of comments by sportsnet, I think it’s a great and necessary idea. I wish newspapers (particularly the TO Sun and NAT. Post) would do the same as the comment sections quickly become message boards for whack jobs to flex their (lack of) intellectual capacity for the like-minded. I would buy a subscription to the NP as it’s dirt cheap, but I don’t want to support the vile comment sections.
My parents bought me the same Stan Obodiac book with Palmy on the cover as an 8 year old and I’m thrilled to still have that one. Thanks for the reminder, Howard.
As far as comments go, I’ll confess to be a periodic commentator on SN articles and I think it’s less about the content (which can range from astute to idiotic) to curating a community of fans interested (one way of another). FWIW, I can tell you that now that I can no longer read comments or comment myself, I’m much less active on the SN site – it’s far less entertaining to me without the fan perspective.
Keep up the nice work, Howard. Always enjoy reading your insights and stories.
Certain that you recall when William Houston and the Globe and Mail Hockey writers were barred from covering TML in the early 1980s at MLG for criticism of the pathetic on ice product. The Globe writers “calling it as everyone saw it” drew rebuke from Ballard, GM Gerry McNamara and Head Coach Mike Nykoluk.
The “neutral non-homer” beat writers are from a bygone era unfortunately.