NHL Kings Writer Defends Self Against Questions Of Partiality
 |
Hammond Says There Will
Be No Filter On His Work |
New NHL Kings beat writer and columnist Rich Hammond, who joined the team from the L.A. Daily News, is "having to answer charges of editorial censorship, partiality and conflict of interest before ever having written a word" for the team, according to Greg Wyshynski of YAHOO SPORTS. Hammond will report on the team "while also being on the Kings' payroll," and "having crossed over to 'the other side,' the cynical assumption is that the integrity of the work will suffer." But Hammond said there will be "no filter" on his reporting. Hammond: "It's not going through anybody to be edited. It's not subject to any review. I'm not filing to any person; I'm filing to the Internet. ... The proof is going to be in the work. If you have doubts, just read it. It's not going to cost you anything. It's not going to hurt." Hammond added that the "aims and integrity of his coverage won't be altered by the new name on the paycheck." Hammond said of those questioning his independence, "I'm having a hard time grasping this, because nothing's really changed for me." Wyshynski wrote "from a hockey perspective," the hiring "could change the way fans follow their teams in markets with shrinking -- or historically puck-disinterested -- traditional media." For the Kings, having their own reporter travel with the team "not only guarantees coverage of those games that had been increasingly sparse in the media but, more importantly, it promises coverage that focuses" on the team. Meanwhile, Wyshynski wrote if the hiring works, it will be the "latest example of a professional sports team hiring its own beat writer from the ranks of those who covered the franchise." The Bengals are among teams who "have dipped into the sportswriter ranks for team editorial staffers," and MLB.com also has a "small army of former writers from other publications with the league they cover underneath their bylines." But what "makes Hammond different -- thanks to cutbacks and apathy in other local media -- is that the Kings have essentially hired one of the team's best beat writers while at the same time acquiring its most popular blog" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/28).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Bettman Sits For Q&A With Maclean's
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Wild Have Held Winter Classic Talks
November 17, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Hargrove Discusses Ongoing NHLPA Saga
November 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NHL Reinstates Ducks Owner Henry Samueli
November 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NHLPA Committee To Review Constitution
November 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Filings Show Coyotes Lost $5M In Oct.
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Canucks Criticized For Getting H1N1 Vaccine
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Panthers Hold Promo For Rink Naming Rights
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Ticket Package Offered For Flyers, 76ers
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Blackhawks' John McDonough Profiled
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
