Some Members of Mainstream Press Are Not Our Allies

by Luke Thomas on Oct 10, 2008 11:28 AM EDT in News Comment 43 comments

What is becoming quite clear in the wake of this EliteXC bonus pay debacle is that as the mainstream press picks up on it, the historically critical members of that group against MMA are now using this scandal as their pivot point. Absolute charlatans and curmudgeonly groaners like ESPN's/Washington Post's Michael Wilbon (how, exactly, is someone allowed to be a commentator or expert and openly admit ignorance of the topic?) are now using the EliteXC scandal to redouble their anti-MMA views. For those who don't know, Wilbon suggested on PTI yesterday that the entire sport of MMA is fixed.

While I believe the matter surrounding EliteXC is worthy of investigation (and Jeremy Lappen has contradicted himself again), I also have a real concern that as EliteXC is on CBS it becomes the face of MMA. And because of that, there is some sort of conflation of UFC and EliteXC into one entity known as "MMA". According to that line of thinking, there either is no distinction between the UFC and EliteXC or as EliteXC goes, so goes the UFC. Neither situation is accurate nor helpful, but it could be what we're now facing thanks to journalistic disasters like Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. They are utterly clueless and without the slightest bit of integrity, but they have an audience. If the audience is malleable, then as warped and worthless and Kornheiser's/Wilbon's opinion may be, to the uninitiated it is the only opinion they are hearing.

I am by no means suggesting that the criticisms of EliteXC should stop because of concerns how the sport is being affected. If EliteXC is innocent, they deserve to be proven so and if they are guilty, that fact should come to light as well. But let it be known that the mainstream press is once again doing no one who loves MMA any favors. Dana White may scorn the online media, but we are the only ones with the knowledge to draw distinctions between EliteXC and the UFC or EliteXC and the entire sport of MMA.

So, let's also beat the drum about what MMA is about, why it's a great sport, why it's safe and why not all organizations equal one another. This situation could boil over and eliminate much of the positive growth our sport has witnessed the last two years. If EliteXC is guilty, they have no right to take us down with them. The responsibility to protect our sport is just as much yours as it is mine. Let's be mindful of that going forward.

UPDATE: Another thought: to anyone who now suggests that bloggers can say whatever they want and have no accountability to anyone, you can officially thank Michael Wilbon for completely destroying your argument.

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I just heard an ESPN radio show (Colin Cowherd)

saying that Elite XC does offer sub & fight of the night bonus after we just heard from Jeremy Lappen that they do not. These guys catch half of the story and then run with it, without even verifying

by dnevil001 on Oct 10, 2008 11:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Talk show hosts on ESPN are not journalists. They are talking heads. People give them info and they regurgitate. It would be nice if they got the Dave Meltzers or the world on their show to set the record straight, but since MMA is at best on the fringe of being a mainstream sport, it’s not likely that programming directors are excited to book MMA journalists, especially during the NFL, College Football and MLB playoff seasons.

On the plus side, they probably chose to discuss EliteXC rather than the start of the Hockey season, which I count as a good thing.

by Brett Jones on Oct 10, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That is exactly

what I have been emailing those jackasses to do. If they are going to talk MMA, which I am for, then they should get an expert on like they do for other sports.

100% better than hockey!!

by dnevil001 on Oct 10, 2008 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

man...

where’d all this hate for hockey come from?

I think it’s a great sport…

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 10, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What other sports do you think are great?

by Brett Jones on Oct 10, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball, Football, Tennis, Boxing...

most sports. I’m just unsure why hockey got the wrath of a portion of the BE community…

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 10, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least they’re not bashing NASCAR.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 10, 2008 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As I understand it, their problem is that they took one example of improper behavior and deduced that it applied to the entire sport? …and are you not doing the same thing by taking what Wilbon says, and deducing that all of main stream media are not friends of MMA?

by Banned In DC on Oct 10, 2008 11:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Headline: “Some Members of Mainstream Press Are Not Our Allies”

It is quite clear that I am not attacking everyone in the mainstream media, not just from the title but the content of the post. Come on.

by Luke Thomas on Oct 10, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

I get Google Alerts everyday with the parameters “mixed martial arts” and “ultimate fighting” in them. Wilbon may be the most high profile, but he is not alone in his attacks.

by Luke Thomas on Oct 10, 2008 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

..whoops

where is the “edit” button? You are right.

While they don’t seem to fully embrace MMA, I appreciate that they do include it. I’m a little taken back by your complete dismissal of the PTI dudes. I listened to his (Wilbon’s) rant on it and it did not seem much different than what MMA media types are saying. I don’t hear where he suggests all of MMA is fixed? What quote are you referring to?

A little harsh, isn’t PTI a Mason product???

by Banned In DC on Oct 10, 2008 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly,

I watch ESPN & listen to ESPN radio & believe me, this has become commonplace this week. They had Kimbo on before the fight & then after word of Elite’s actions they are all talking shit about MMA. Their comments end every time either stating that they have no idea & and know nothing about MMA or simply do not care because they do not believe it is relevant.

by dnevil001 on Oct 10, 2008 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have said it before and still stand by my statement. I am a huge mma fan, and as fans the growing competition bewteen promotions continues to BENEFIT us, the fans. I would never wish failure on an mma organization…..that was until EliteXC sleazy brand was born.

I wish to NO END that EliteXC fails and fails FAST!!!! All they do is put a smear on what the sport of mma is today.
The average fan will assocaite the horseshit they see from EliteXC on CBS to all of MMA. That needs to stop. I can only hope that EliteXC and their days of giving mma a bad name are soon to be over

by fightfan on Oct 10, 2008 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wilbon suggested on PTI yesterday that the entire sport of MMA is fixed.

That shit hurt right there. DEEP! Those PTI guys have always gotten on my nerves. Looks like their old dumbasses are the only real knuckleheads!

sigh

by xFenixKnightx on Oct 10, 2008 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The argument model...

is the worst “journalistic model” in existence…yet it is 99% of ESPN’s coverage. We now have print versions of PTI, PTI on the radio, PTI in print, PTI on sportcenter. They force these extreme views on everyone regardless of if anyone talking actually BELIEVES it or not.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 10, 2008 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I largely agree with your point. I think the “argument model” is what people want to see though, or it’s at least what networks believe people want to see. It’s more about the confrontation than about presenting analysis based in fact. It’s actually sad.

These so-called journalists in the mass media seizing on this situation to smear all of MMA is no surprise to me. It just cements, for me personally, the idea that the MMA community should address this “Stand Gate” situation, so that hopefully a swift conclusion can be obtained. If anyone associated with EXC was in the wrong, they must be dealt with for the good of the sport. If not, then we can move on and EXC can gain some credibility. No amount of ignoring this will make it go away, and it shouldn’t until some semblance of resolution has been found.

by Cannon Jacques on Oct 10, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WILBON

i will add that dan lebatard did try and stick up for mma as did tony reali, who told wilbon that he was wrong about mma and at the end of the show he said that “talking mma with wibon is infuriating”. reali fits the 18-34 demo and wilbon doesnt. surprise, surprise. it does hurt mma as a whole when guys like tony kornhieser and wibon talk bad about elite and or kimbo b/c alot of the casual fans think there are all the same. elite seems like they try very hard to align themselves with the ufc imo. every event they have it seems like the use the word ufc than they do elite. they also signed a deal with fox sports net to show old elite fights and old fights from other orgs that they now own that have current ufc fighters fighting for them like a.silva. elite is not showing old silva fights for the good of the fans, they are showing them for better ratingsd and mostly to say “hey were one of these guys, we are with them”, pertaining to the ufc.ive really enjoyed the shoxc events they’ve had and the free mma, but now the sooner they fold the better.

by bdw on Oct 10, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We must rally around Tony Reali

Who is especially young, up and coming on the network (hosting one show and featured prominently on others) – and (gasp) an actual fan of the sport, who has the impulse to defend it if not extensive knowledge of it. He straight says ‘you talking MMA is infuriating.’

Wilbon simply represents boxing purists. It can’t possibly be that MMA helped to kill our sport. It just must be what those bloodthirsty, ADD-rattled punks get into these days when they’re not getting high and listening to Lil Wayne.

I liked PTI – and Wilbon – before this. But for consistenly dumping on millions of people about whom you don’t even care to do the most cursory research, fuck you, Mikey.

by subo on Oct 10, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The shame is that Max Kellerman does not have the ESPN spotlight he once enjoyed. He is also a supporter of MMA while being one of the great young MMA analysts today. I feel like he could really help to bridge the gap between supporters on either side of the divide.

Reali is fine, but he lacks the credibility in either sport to really make an impact, I believe.

by Brett Jones on Oct 10, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reali = Stat Boy, Kellerman = Respected Boxing Analyst

by szucconi on Oct 10, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Kellerman was primarily a boxing expert

Thus making him predisposed to loathing MMA. But he would be a more effective advocate than Reali – if only because of his boxing gravitas – provided he had airtime.

Maybe a Kellerman-Reali-Florian combo for MMA Live on ESPN. Dare to dream.

by subo on Oct 10, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Conventional wisdom. However, Kellerman is actually a supporter (which may be overstating it) of MMA. No surprise, as he is just 35 years old, which is to say that he was in the target audience for the UFC during it’s greatest ascent in popularity to date.

It’s a shame he is no longer on ESPN television.

Oh, and Steve, as long as we’re stating the obvious:

Reali = Italian, Kellerman = Jewish.

by Brett Jones on Oct 10, 2008 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also Me = tall (relatively), You = short

Ok, that was a low blow, but I was just trying to point out Reali cred does not approch Kellerman’s on the subject. I was agreeing with you. After all, when it comes to you and me its
Me = Stat boy, You = Respected MMA Analyst

by szucconi on Oct 10, 2008 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is everyone so surprised....

MMA will have to fight a long uphill battle for legitimacy. Even though fans who actually pay attention to the sport know the difference between UFC and EXC, EXC has more exposure. Why do they have more exposure? Because they are on free television. Yeah, I know most people have cable, but most people don’t watch Spike TV. We should be watching UFC on CBS, not EXC.

Think about it, why would they interview Kimbo? Because not only is he well known, but because his main event fight was going to be on free television. It’s not by accident football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, and soccer are popular sports in America. The main reason, IMO is these sports can be watched on free television. I believe this is part of the reason why boxing is declining. You want to see a high quality boxing match? Get PPV or watch HBO. When was the last time you saw a boxing match on free tv?

The average person doesn’t understand what’s going on. They don’t know an armbar from a kimura. The ground game is foreign to most people right now. Why do you think some people boo when the fight goes to the ground? Beyond fighting, there needs to be other ways to elevate the sport. People need to be educated so they can appreciate what’s going on.

You want to improve the image of MMA? Tell Dana White to get his product on free tv. Even WEC is on cable. If he put the Lesnar/Couture fight on one of the major networks imagine the response. I bet a fight like this would shut up alot of critics.

by Akorn on Oct 10, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No, it wouldn’t.
MMA will always have haters like ESPN.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 10, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I TRIED TO WARN EVERYONE THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN!

Thats it. I pleaded with everyone before on other posts that having MMA fans cry fix would only fuel the media and those that are against MMA. The media or the casual MMA hater could care less that this was EliteXC or the UFC. Good job everyone! It will be specially great if nothing comes of this or Seth may have mispoked wich put EliteXC in a funny position to contradict themselves, yet no fixing took place.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 10, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Everyone knew it would happen. You just can’t let someone hint at fixing or tinkering or stacking the deck. It would be worse to let it go. I knew some moron that knows nothing about the sport would shoot off at the mouth and say some really stupid stuff, I just thought the first one to do it would have been my Dad. We, as an MMA community need to treat the wound now before it becomes infected.

by szucconi on Oct 10, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just want to be clear

You’re not upset that EXC may have fixed their fights, you’re upset that people talked about it.

Gotcha.

by mythbuster on Oct 10, 2008 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

No, I am upset that MMA fans are crying fix.

They should investigate EliteXC is one thing, but saying “fix” in America is taken very seriously with the entire sport. MMA does not have the American History like MLB, NBA, or Boxing to rebound from a fixing scandal.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 10, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I rather have fans cry fix then watch the sport go under because some jokes from Boxing wanted to play Sports Entertainment just to stay viable.

by RoyalB on Oct 10, 2008 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

EliteXC was going to fold anyways, so, what is the point?

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 10, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stopping two assholes from bring their rotten ethics to a sport that was quickly shadowing them.

by RoyalB on Oct 10, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I am upset that MMA fans are crying fix.

Isn’t that what I said?

They should investigate EliteXC is one thing, but saying "fix" in America is taken very seriously with the entire sport. MMA does not have the American History like MLB, NBA, or Boxing to rebound from a fixing scandal.

Without the blog-o-sphere pushing the issue, there wouldn’t have even been the prelim investigations that are now getting underway. If it becomes nothing, so be it. If it is something, best to get rid of it now before it starts getting all stinky and maggoty.

by mythbuster on Oct 10, 2008 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

People were crying fix way before this Oct 4th show when it came to EliteXC. Most of that was ASSUMPTIONS and people’s dislike for EliteXC. They thought this would certainly make EliteXC fold and didn’t think about the negative effects it would have on the sport.

Most likely, EliteXC would have folded next year anyways, but not, it may take MMA’s image with it.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 10, 2008 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Calling fights jokes isn’t the same as calling fix.

At least jokes got to fight for better pay

by RoyalB on Oct 10, 2008 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, if you ignore it then people will start to fix fights and Wilbon can look back after a scandle finally ends the sport and say he was right all along.

And thanks again for my 401K being in the toilet.

by szucconi on Oct 10, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See Morgan, Joe and Moneyball

He’s openly admitted several times that he never read Moneyball, but still makes numerous judgments about it, going so far as to claim Billy Beane wrote the book.

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by Fooch on Oct 10, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

God, I hate Joe Morgan. Great baseball player, but just an absolute idiot.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 10, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

About the casual audience...

Luke was right in pointing out the danger of influential journalists like Kornheiser and Wilbon spewing their uninformed bulls*it to the masses. I have a bunch of friends who wouldn’t watch mma if you paid them, yet they all know Kimbo lost, and one of them asked me today if I had heard the fight had been fixed. I’m pretty sure none of them could name a current UFC champion, but they know about Kimbo and all the controversy surrounding his bout.

It’s not like the fight fixing allegations are an apocalypse for mma, but they are a big deal. It saddens me that all most people are hearing is what they see on ESPN. Casual sports fans take what analysts like Kornheiser and Wilbon say as the truth because they don’t care enough to seek out any sort additional information. There is a real danger here of indoctrinating a mass of potential fans with the idea that mma is corrupt sport and not worth their attention.

by Andy R on Oct 10, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If people didn’t think this was going to happen, and that EliteXC would get the blame and not the entire MMA scene in the USA, then Naive is a word that comes to mind.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 10, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've said it before but it bears repeating...

A while back I posted something that just goes to show how intolerable ESPN but more specifically PTI is towards MMA. In the weeks leading up to the Kimbo Slice/Ken Shamrock fight Kimbo Slice went on PTI to have a 5 good minutes segment. According to Dan LeBatard, who was filling in for Mike Wilbon that day, Tony Korsheiser(sp?) was berating his producers about having to talk about MMA and about having to interview Kimbo Slice. He was yelling at anyone who would listen and anyone who didn’t want to listen.

Obviously we the audience didn’t get to see this happen because it happened during a commercial break but Dan LeBatard, a pretty big MMA fan, was disgusted at how ESPN and PTI were taking the subject of MMA and not doing anything with it besides dismissing it as a pseudo sport.

These guys at ESPN are complete morons when it comes to MMA yet they are allowed to talk about it like they actually know something about it. And what is worse is that the mass ESPN audience who is just as ignorant(I call these guys the ‘Dead Spin’ crowd) believe the crap that PTI and AtH spew.

Don’t even get me started with the morons at Dead Spin. If you think sherdog is full of morons…. you haven’t seen the the guys who leave comments on Dead Spin.

by Discman2 on Oct 10, 2008 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate to break to you but combat sports will not be in the mainstream any time soon. It isn’t going to be respected when a national network TV is pimping a guy who we all know shouldn’t be in the limelight. He got KTFO like we all knew he would. There were some shady things gong on with Shaw so why should anyone who doesn’t follow the sport the benefit of the doubt? MMA is going to have to wait for a transcendent superstar before it is respected in the mainstream.

by Zocalo on Oct 10, 2008 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Im actually a big fan of PTI cuz I love all sports but Wilbon is sounding like a fool.
At least Realli(sp?) is there to cast some doubt on his comments…

by Evil-Uncle on Oct 10, 2008 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs