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Gene Smith's Response to me on ESPN

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crzykillernut

crzykillernut

What is a Buckeye?
I recently wrote a letter to Mr. Smith indicating my feelings toward the ESPN situation. I've included Mr. Smith's response, which however wise, left much to be desired in terms of holding ESPN to any level of accountability.

"Thank you for your recent letter. As you can imagine, I am thrilled to be at The Ohio State University, and I do indeed look forward to continuing our great tradition of excellence. I know I have big shoes to fill but I look forward to the challenge, and pledge to you that I will put everything I have into this job.

As I am sure you are well aware, Ohio State ie one of the most visible names in all of college football. Each year, the Buckeyes appear on either ABC or one of the ESPN channels as part of the Big Ten package. In fact, every Ohio State football game since 1990 has been televised.

I share this information with you because I want you to understand how important that exposure is to our teams and to this university in terms of recruiting. As a member of the Big Ten, we need to embrace that relationship.

College Game Day is part of ESPN and, as such, is a business partner of the Big Ten. Accordingly, we need to work with them in an effort to strengthen our relationship.

While I was not personally involved in what took place last year between the network and Ohio State, I understand and appreciate your feeling as a loyal Buckeye. But, in my opinion, we need to move forward, and put aside any ill feelings that might have existed. To do so is in the best interest of Ohio State, and demonstrates to all the class of this great university.

In conclusion, I urge you and your friends to act in a positive manner that will reflect favorably upon The Ohio State University.

Again, thank you for your letter, and good luck as you continue your education.

Sincerely,
Gene Smith
Director of Athletics"
 
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Can't say I really disagree. Does OSU "need" ESPN? Hell no! Ohio State, and its football and basketball programs do stand to gain much though from not turning its back on ESPN. They are a means to an end, as far as I'm concerned.
 
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crzykillernut said:
...Mr. Smith's response, which however wise, left much to be desired...
Click to expand...

How so? What would you have him say to you, in an official letter? "Fuck ESPN"? He knows what the deal is. Being a high-level official, in any capacity (academic, political, military, industrial, etc.) involves a significant degree of restraint and facade. Being the AD at Ohio State hardly is any different.



jlb1705 said:
...Does OSU "need" ESPN? Hell no! ...
Click to expand...

It depends on how you characterize "need". If we never were to be broadcast on ESPN again, would our program cease to exist. No way? Would it significantly affect our program. No doubt. How many times were we seen on ABC (in other words, not on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPN GamePlan)? Well, I can tell you we were seen on one of ESPN's entities seven of our twelve games (the PSU game was both ABC and ESPN). Take away those games and hundreds of thousands of high school and younger fans aren't exposed to Ohio State football as much, and as such we lose potential recruits down the road. Not to mention broadcast revenue. Like it or not, ESPN is a significant part of the Ohio State football program.
 
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MililaniBuckeye said:
How so? What would you have him say to you, in an official letter? "Fuck ESPN"? He knows what the deal is. Being a high-level official, in any capacity (academic, political, military, industrial, etc.) involves a significant degree of restraint and facade. Being the AD at Ohio State hardly is any different.

bingo. in private he may say trev alberts is a douche-lick, but he wont tell that to you.



It depends on how you characterize "need". If we never were to be broadcast on ESPN again, would our program cease to exist. No way? Would it significantly affect our program. No doubt. How many times were we seen on ABC (in other words, not on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPN GamePlan)? Well, I can tell you we were seen on one of ESPN's entities seven of our twelve games (the PSU game was both ABC and ESPN). Take away those games and hundreds of thousands of high school and younger fans aren't exposed to Ohio State football as much, and as such we lose potential recruits down the road. Not to mention broadcast revenue. Like it or not, ESPN is a significant part of the Ohio State football program.
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here is where the symbiotic relationship between osu and espn gets interesting. its hard to say that espn needs osu per se, but it is not out of line to say that espn doesnt need the big 10. with the fox nerwork looking to stake claim to some cfb games and the big ten's contract with espn coming to an end soon, espn is certainly in a position to lose a lot if jim delaney decides to take their tv deal elsewhere. the sec is locked with cbs, and nobody east of the mississippi gives a rats ass about big 12 football. that would really leave espn suckling up to the ACCm which means they would have to move a majority of their thursday night games, but i guess they could will the time with repeats of world series poker or the movie "3".

bottom line is that it is certainly in espn's best interest to stay on good terms with the big 10. jim delaney made some comments about how he didnt like the way espn was handling the osu situation. my guess is, provided that osu gives them no ammo, espn has little to say about osu, makes some feel good comments about us if/when the ncaa gives us a clean bill, and then starts hyping osu's nc run as now the ncaa distractions are gone.
 
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So espn can continue to trash the program, the coach, the ad, and the university and it's ok?

Remember, all these "talking heads" and "journalists" that continue these little attacks (Trev, May, LeBatard, Bayless, Rome), are all employees of espn.

I agree that espn airing these games and making Ohio State more visible can help, but does it really help when they are being bashed by the guys doing the broadcast? Or being bashed by the guys that are doing the articles or the radio or tv shows?

I, for one, will have my F--K ESPN sign (with a little blurb about Mark May and Trev Alberts) on September 10 (if they show up).
 
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Gene Smith = Tabula Rasa

Andy Geiger stepped aside but in all reality, he acted as a shield for the University. Smith has a blank slate to work with and starting out with an olive branch is a very intelligent move. If ESPN should continue the attack and focus on Mr. Smith, his tune may change...but for now, GS has decided to keep his friends close and his enemies closer.
 
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MililaniBuckeye said:
How so? What would you have him say to you, in an official letter? "Fuck ESPN"? He knows what the deal is. Being a high-level official, in any capacity (academic, political, military, industrial, etc.) involves a significant degree of restraint and facade. Being the AD at Ohio State hardly is any different.
Click to expand...


Mili's point proven here as you have already posted his response on the internet.
 
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Good Response

I would agree with the response from Gene Smith. I also find it interesting that the contract is coming due very soon and Fox having interest would be very positive. If we respond with class and prove all these analyst wrong it will help the Big Ten with those negotiations. The analyst for ESPN may have some creditability because of being former players but none of them have ran a program nor really coached a champion. They get paid to stir the fire and because they do not fall under the same constraints that an official News reporting company ie Wall Street Journal it is more like US magazine. Which I believe there does need to be a disclaimer because unfortunately people take their words as gospel. Rumors sell better than facts. I love when OSU performs well and they have to give our props. We have been under a microscope lately and now have one if not the cleanest program and look out with our coaches and facilities for a lot of years they are going to have to talk about us.
 
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I thought it was an appropriate response, and agree that we should move forward, while remembering what has transpired.

But if that's a cut/paste or a scan of the actual letter, how did 'ineed' in the second line pass a spell check?

Many will say I'm being picky, but attention to detail and impressions generated in written and spoken communications are important aspects of positions like AD.

So, crzykillernut, is that a cut/paste job, or a scan of the actual letter? The spelling police are wondering. :biggrin:

edit - on the next page, it says the letter was typed in, so Smith's letter didn't have the typo
 
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