[NU Sports] A Medill Question

[Ben Adler]

It's not.  I don't think most people - even fans - would consider a former NFL 
player turned pundit a journalist.  They already have conflicts of interest 
everywhere - they're friends with players and coaches and hold their criticism, 
or perhaps they vent a bit more about someone they really dislike.

It's a somewhat finer line with someone like Rich Eisen, or Chris Berman (who 
does tons of commercials).  Talk radio hosts (sports and news) also toe that 
line when they voice commercials that air during their shows.  That's kinda 
iffy, in my book.  But it's definitely an accepted part of the business, and 
still better than serious reporters like Bob Ley, Jeremy Schaap or even an ESPN 
features reporter like Ed Werder or Rachel Nichols doing endorsements.  That's 
probably the line ESPN would say it tries to walk.

And in the end, no one really considers Jay Glazer or Terry Bradshaw or even 
Chris Berman an expert on anything but sports.  When a hard news journalist 
starts doing endorsements, then it's really an issue.  But thankfully, I haven't 
noticed that yet...

Ben


________________________________
From: "cherron604 at aol.com" <cherron604 at aol.com>
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Sent: Tue, January 11, 2011 9:44:15 AM
Subject: [NU Sports] A Medill Question


I ask the Medill guys/Journalism guys here:

When did it become acceptable for a journalist to endorse a product ?

I am thinking of Jay Glazer (sp) and Michael Strahan endorsing Subway sandwiches

Also, this weekend I saw Rich Eisen (NFL Network) appearing in a commercial for 
Pepsi Max

I realize there may be some debate as to any of these individuals' journalistic 
credentials

I am quite sure that we never had Jerome Holtzman for Gold Toe socks, or Shirley 
Povich for Florsheim shoes (but I may be wrong)

Chuck Herron  Tech '85 



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