Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Simmons v. The Man

Bill Simmons, who is obviously no friend of this blogger especially after that incident with the fried zucchini, attempted to do with a sports themed podcast with Barak Obama. Now I thought sports journalism was supposed to provide a forum to entertain, educate as well as get ratings. I'm not certainly no marketing expert but I imagine a presidential candidate would fill those 3 issues. Certainly ESPN has shied away from having Bush (and previously Kerry) on various forums for the same purpose. However higher up execs cancelled the Simmons podcast at the last minute (oh and coincidentally the ESPN president is a big McCain donor)

Now this isn't necessarily a pro-Obama let alone a pro-Simmons pitch but I for one would never want limitations on peoples access to a candidate on any forum for well any reason. Not to say I want McCain doing guest spots on 30 rock but interviews with a variety of different individuals might shed light on whats an important race. What's your guys take on the roll of sports journalist covering political figures and political activities?

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