Ted Leonsis, ESPN's Bill Simmons Trade Jabs About DC Sports
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Simmons (l), Leonsis Trade Barbs
Over State Of DC Sports |
Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis responded to a claim from ESPN.com's Bill Simmons that DC is one of the worst four-sport cities in the U.S. by writing a blog entry under the header, "Clueless At ESPN ... Again." Leonsis noted the Capitals are 12th in the NHL in overall home attendance, and team revenues this season are up by 25%. The Capitals are the "second fastest-growing team in the NHL," and have "increased our season ticket holder base dramatically." Leonsis also noted The Walt Disney Co., the parent of ESPN, during the last FY quarter reported a 13% decrease in earnings, and ESPN "ad revenues were down" (TEDSTAKE.com, 11/14). Simmons in his latest mailbag wrote if there was a "formula to determine the worst four-sport city in America that included things like 'sweeping lack of success,' 'general apathy,' 'ability of opposing fans to overwhelm your home crowd,' 'lack of tradition,' 'most transplants living in the city and rooting for other teams' and everything else," DC and Atlanta would be "so far ahead of the pack that it would be foolish to even mention the other contenders" (ESPN.com, 11/13).
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? AOL FANHOUSE's Eric McErlain, a DC resident of 25 years, wrote it is "hard to argue with a lot of what Simmons is talking about." But about halfway through the '07-08 NHL season, as the Capitals "began its charge to the postseason, life here changed a lot inside Verizon Center." McErlain noted the atmosphere at DC sports events is a "lot different" lately, something Simmons "wouldn't really understand granted that he relies on second-hand reports from local readers." Meanwhile, Simmons earlier this year created a personal blog outside ESPN, and "looking at that, might one get the impression that Simmons would like to escape" from the media giant? Considering that Leonsis is a "minority investor in SB Nation, might he just have exactly the kind of place that Simmons could escape to?" McErlain: "It sounds like these two guys should talk" (FANNATION.com, 11/14).
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