Media Bowl Gifts

Other than Edsall cutting and running, I think UConn football was just fine.

 

Did I miss a UConn football scandal?

 

Probably.

 

I know this is a very old thread but I looked up the topic online (Media bowl gifts) and this came up. I've had the privileged to cover three games as a credentialed media member and two bowl games all at the age of 17. Needless to say when your local team has food, drinks and such in the box is that considered bush league or amateur? No, it's offered to you for being there. Same goes for the bowl games when it comes to gifts. Just because they offer it doesn't mean you have to take it, it's not a requirement its a gift. Two, you can accept the gift and still not wear it around work because that could draw mixed reactions.

Just because you accept a gift it's not like it's a bribe.

 

I've never covered an event that gave away anything more than a cheeseburger (it was pretty good though).

I look forward to the day that I can turn my nose to free things, but until then I will gladly take them.

Also, I once let a source buy me a beer. The beer cost more than I would have been paid for the story.

 

Rose, Fiesta and Sugar Bowls all treat the media outstanding.

I'll be in Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl in a few days. Very interested to see how non-BCS bowls compare to "regular" bowls.

 

Kid, it is not a "privilege," it is your job. And you are covering a mere football game. Despite their inflated salaries, the college coaches are basically gym teachers. There is no more privilege in covering a bowl game than there is a zoning board meeting.

I started in the biz as a high school student and my paper's editor was a board-up-his-ass straight-arrow who would have fired us for taking a "gift." I've had to unlearn some things since, but in my opinion the crusty old bastard had it 100 percent right on that issue and 35 years later I think it's unlikely I'll ever change my mind about that.

My first full-time job (in my late teens), the competing paper had some staffers who not only took gifts but double-dipped by writing press releases for politicians or holding down part-time "jobs" in the city parks department. I can tell you we hated those fuckers. It went beyond mere newspaper competition, we thought they were a disgrace to the entire biz. When we met up with them in the newspaper softball league, one of our guys ran over their catcher like he was Ray Fosse. We nearly had a full-scale brawl.

Someone is not teaching you right on both counts, in my opinion. First chance you get, find yourself an editor who will.

 

If my editor or competition wants to be picky about someone's second job, my advice to them is pay a wage that doesn't require the staffer to hold one.

If you accept a Bowl gift while on furlough, since you're technically unemployed, is this ethically acceptable?

 

Well the way I've been raised, or better worded the way I've built myself in this business so far is treating it as what it is, a job that I'm paid to do but also a privileged to do what I love and thats cover sports. It's not a given to have a job its a privilege. That being said I don't work for a newspaper and I haven't worked with someone that takes kickbacks or bribes like that "double dipping" and that I believe crosses the line.

Then limit is as long as 1) it doesn't effect how you cover the game/bowl 2) is given to everyone or offered to everyone covering the game 3) It's nothing beyond what you could give to your kids, or regift. Like a t-shirt, sweater, bag, even golf bag. But like lets say the director takes you personally out somewhere n gives or buys you stuff then thats over the line. But there's a reason the bowl's give out gifts to the media, just like they do the players. It's a gift.

It's not unethical to take someone up on a gift if everyone gets the same thing. Think about it for the guys just breaking into the business at a young age. Getting a three bag, or stuff like that saves the 50 or so bucks and when your young it's handy to save the money. For me I have to pay for travel, lodging n expenses when it comes to covering games n bowls. The company I work for pays me, but doesn't pay for travel or anything and I get the credentials myself not through someone getting it for me. So for those few who work hard to get to bowls don't feel bad about taking the bowl up on their gift small or large. BUT I do agree picking up the tab, n that stuff does cross a line.

 

Holy crap, that writing is the future of our business?

 

Covered two bowl games -- Sugar Bowl last season and LCBP in Detriot twice.

The LCBP has given pins and pens. The Sugar Bowl gave a laptop accessory kit last year that had a USB mouse, headphone, etc. It also had an ethernet cable. I can't remember the specifics, but there was a problem with the wireless at the Superdome then, and they encouraged you to use the included ethernet cable.

As a whole, it you're worried about the "perception" of taking these free "gifts" as being damaging, or being unethical, than refuse them and congratulate yourself on your superiority. I'll take the damn laptop accessory kit and cheap ass, ballpoint pen.