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Josh Gross To The Rescue

Sam Caplan notes that Josh Gross, Editor of Sherdog.com, is stepping down from his position there to take up a writing gig at SI.com and rightly wonders whether Dana White's longstanding ban/refusing to credential Gross will carry over when he takes up his spot at one of the most legitimate sporting news outlets in America. More importantly, Sam raises the question of what might happen to both the UFC and Gross if White continues the ban. Notable quote:

Meltzer is right in that since word broke that Gross was going to SI, a lot of people have wondered whether he would begin to get credentialed by the UFC. Like Meltzer, I would also bet against him getting access but I'm hoping that's not the case. However, White just doesn't seem to be the forgiving type.

...

So while I don't think not having access to the UFC would hurt SI's coverage, I do think it could hurt the UFC. As I've stated in the past, the UFC has some very rigid media policies and as a young company in a young sport, I still don't think they understand the concept of balanced coverage. Not everyone is going to be 100 percent positive about their product all of the time and when someone is negative or gives coverage to another promotion, I think the UFC takes it personally. I don't know if they realize that journalists are different than that of a public relations writer.

But by dealing in absolutes when it comes to certain members of the media, I do feel the UFC is hurting the long-term growth prospects of not only its own company, but also the sport. There are still many skeptics of MMA within the mainstream media and there are still many hurdles to climb when it comes to convincing people in key editorial positions that MMA is worth time and attention. Trying to be over-bearing when major media outlets try and cover you is not going to win you allies and not cooperating with a Time Warner-backed company such as SI isn't going to help the sport grow.

All too true.

But here's the salient issue in my mind: SI.com shouldn't stand for it. Sites like the one you are reading now and others similar to it - "new media" - don't get credentialed for any number of odd reasons and the vast majority of the mainstream press couldn't be happier be about it. That's unfortunate, because the fact is our best ally in the fight to get credentialed is when those in the mainstream press take our position in the debate or sympathize with our mission. In the same way, other MSM outlets should stand up for Gross and SI.com should the UFC choose not to credential him. If this site tried to raise a stink, no one at Zuffa would care very much. But if ESPN, CBS and NBC openly criticized the UFC for their attempts to control media coverage, the UFC would be under intense pressure to change.

I hope Gross gets credentialed, but if he doesn't, I hope the editors at the major outlets are prepared to take their fellow journalist's side. Best of luck, Josh.

0 recs  |  Comment 21 comments

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Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
I hope he doesn't get credentialed because he leaked TUF results early and should deal with his punishment that he earned so well.

ESPN, CBS and NBS would not openly criticize someone for controlling media coverage, because that is what they do as well and it would be a hypocritical stance to take for a news organization.

Gross is a puke, he made his bed and now he has to sleep in it.

by DirtyML on Apr 30, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Gross' issues are diffrent then the "new media" problems getting cred.  He spoiled the results of a reality show that everyone knows is prerecorded.  It's reasonable to say he cost the UFC/Zuffa and mostly Spike money.  Letting him into the fold is a risk.  The UFC took a big gamble on TUF and Gross could have killed the momentum and the buzz about the season.  Who would watch American Idol if everyone knew the winner?  

Being a member of the media is all about integrity.  Gross used all his up in the eyes of Zuffa. I don't see why SI would hire him, but I do wish him the best of luck.  Its guys like Gross that make it harder for "new media".  I am sure that because of him the UFC cred more selectivly.

by szucconi on Apr 30, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
I'm not conflating the issue of new media's search for credentialing with Gross' indescretions. I'm suggesting it's a DANGEROUS precedent to selectively credential MSM outlets. I admit Gross' error was pretty egregious, but his record is otherwise fairly exceptional.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 30, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
They already selectively credential MSM outlets.

I'd imagine they'd make it clear to SI that it was a problem with Gross and not them.

After the whole public letter fiasco with Dana White and Dana White being a stubborn man of principles, I'd give Gross getting credentials the same chance as Kalib Starnes being the main feature on an MMA card.

by DirtyML on Apr 30, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Which MSM outlets have been denied credentials?

by Luke Thomas on Apr 30, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Sherdog isn't mainstream media.  It is a big site, but it doesn't fall into the major media category.

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 30, 2008 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Ah I figured their relationship with ESPN would spur them into that category now.

Either way, I think Gross will not get credentialed and SI will have to send someone else.

Or else he will be in the 200FT+ Seats with the guys at bodybuilding.com, etc.

by DirtyML on Apr 30, 2008 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
That's kind of what I would expect.  With the way the UFC drooled all over themselves about Huerta on the cover of SI they're not going to give them no credentials.  They'll likely say "We will credential anyone aside from Josh Gross due to prior actions that significantly harmed our company."  Then it is up to SI to either say "Okay, we'll send another rep" or take a hard stance saying "Josh Gross is going to represent us, we will ensure that future actions like the one in question will not happen while working for our publication."  If SI takes a hard stance I'm 90% sure the UFC would back down.  The exposure in SI is too big of a deal.

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 30, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
I wonder how much the UFC would care about their online portion.

I just went to the SI page, and could not find a single link to MMA, not even in the "More Sports" section, although there is a high school sports section.

Hopefully Gross will have some affect into regards to that, because I do read their magazines, but that was my first time to their website. I imagine this is true with lots of people.

by DirtyML on Apr 30, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Also, the UFC doesn't guarantee every mainstream outlet a credential either. It just so happens that there are so few covering the sport that they get in every time. In the future this may not be the case.

Space is a consideration...

by pramit on Apr 30, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
I agree that it is a bad precedent, but I can't agree that his record is "fairly exceptional".  For the most part, he treats the UFC and Dana White with a type contempt that is undeserving.  He is pretty bias and maybe has a reason to be, but he is the journalist and need to act like one.  

by szucconi on Apr 30, 2008 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
It's clear he's got issues with Dana White, but Gross respects the fighters enormously and to downplay or degrade the UFC can sometimes mean degrading the work of the fighters. If you look at his work of covering the UFC in official news articles, the bias is minimal.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 30, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Gross revealing the spoilers for TUF was not one of his  shining moments.   But I think he has done a good  job covering of MMA and hope he does receive press credentials as a member of SI.

by christkd on Apr 30, 2008 12:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Interesting discussion.

SI won't suffer if Gross doesn't get credentialed. They can still send someone else to the event.

And, let's be honest -- new media and mainstream media are cutthroat endeavors. Why would ESPN or NBC stick up for SI?

They already have their credentials? Why would they care about a competitor getting credentialed.

Also, selective credentialing is seen in all sports, not just MMA.

Is it right? Maybe, maybe not. But it is the UFC's prerogative

As a business, I'm sure the UFC will do whatever helps their bottom line, including credentialing Gross if they feel that it will do that...

by pramit on Apr 30, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Mark Cuban triggered a shit storm when he tried to decredential a Dallas Morning News blogger.

by Kid Nate on Apr 30, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Right. And Cuban's reasoning was that he doesn't see the difference between a mainstream blogger and a new media blogger. So, if he includes a mainstream blogger where does he draw the line? He doesn't have enough room in his locker room to credential every blogger in the world.

Make sense. To a certain degree, a line has to be drawn arbitrarily somewhere.

It's a tricky situation...

by pramit on Apr 30, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
Did you guys catch the Bob Costas show on HBO last night?  I didn't see it, but I was listening to the Dan Patrick show today and he was talking about it.  They had a panel in to discuss the epic battle of MSM vs. the Blogosphere.  Apparantly, Buzz Bissinger, an author, went off on Will Leitch, a blogger for deadspin.com.  

Here's a link:

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/29/buzz-bissinger-freaks-out-at-will-leitch/

Thought it might interest you guys since it had to do with the always combustible relationship of the blogger and the "journalist".  

by Andy on Apr 30, 2008 6:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Josh Gross To The Rescue
The UFC is not the only entity that is biased against bloggers/"new media".

The NFL does not credential bloggers, even those who are bloggers for ESPN. Ask Matt Mosley who does the Hashmarks blog on ESPN.

He has talked on the radio more than once about being refused credentials and access to the press box at NFL games.  

by 2short on May 1, 2008 10:07 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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