After further review … Serena, tennis fans slam umpire, and football is back
By now you’ve likely heard about the chaos during the women’s final at the U.S. Open. It certainly led to more conversation about tennis, but likely not in a way the USTA planned for its biggest event and PR blitz of the year. And football, from college to the NFL, is back in a big […]
After further review … the week in sports PR
Let’s try this on a regular basis, shall we? After all, sports is about games and while there are certainly business interests, issues that affect sports often teach us how to better handle everyday publicity challenges. So without further adieu, after further review … 1 — Josh Hader vs. Mike Trout — Soon after Brewers […]
Sit, stand … athletes must back social messages with action
I’ve spent the last couple of months outlining evergreen blog topics to share insight into sports publicity and related business issues. As often the case, however, it’s a crisis that’s brought me out of my summer cave. The United States is in a big one, and once again, sports – today the NFL — is in […]
NFL takes another PR hit; NY Giants fumble words and inaction
Do you remember how the NFL and its teams were going to aggressively discipline those charged with domestic violence, and assured fans that they wouldn’t stand for it any longer? That was so 2014. Today if you look at facts that have come to light about New York Giants kicker Josh Brown during the last […]
Social media is changing the way athletes make big announcements
When it comes to professional athletes announcing their retirements, the media planets are in the process of a major realignment. Last week former Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Carolina defensive end Jared Allen announced that he was stepping away from professional football after playing 12 years in the NFL. He didn’t issue a press release […]
The NFL could generate great PR beyond the Super Bowl
I was interviewed for a podcast last week when the host asked me about sports organizations that do the public relations thing wrong and what they could do to improve. I was really at a loss because there haven’t been any glaring examples as of late. Well … The host responded with, “you’ve been critical […]
The NFL could flip Concussion movie into a public relations win
I’m not a movie reviewer or a doctor. Like many of you, I’m a football fan, albeit one that often looks at professional football issues with a public relations eye. To me, there’s little that compares to the excitement of game days, so when statistics about the impact concussions have on athletes’ brains, I cringe, […]
The NFL, NFLPA legal wrangling has left many deflated
Nearly nine months have passed and frankly, I’m worn out. Had it. I’m deflated. No, I didn’t give birth or anything crazy like that. I’m simply breathing a sigh of relief that U. S. District Court Judge Richard Berman put an end to the madness that we got to know as “Deflategate.” At least for […]
Attract women to the NFL with respect, not recipes
Last week the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced its “RED Women’s Movement” marketing campaign, which is designed to attract females to the Bucs’ brand. I respect the end. The means, however, made thousands of women, including me, cringe. In its news release and video promo, “highlights” of the program included introducing women to NFL gameday fashion, […]
Football players: it’s time to step up your social media game
A few weeks ago I wrote about why coaches and front officer personnel should care about social media and how their players use it. Since NFL training camps started last week and college football practices aren’t far behind, it’s time to address some things that coaches, administrators (including public relations specialists and sports information directors) […]