Calgary Flames Media Pressure - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

curves2000 · 02-11-2015, 03:54 AM

Hi,

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts were on the media attention that a team like the Flames have locally and nationally?

One of the reasons why I ask this is with regards to a team like the Leafs. Some people say that the media pressure there is almost impossible to fathom and hinders performance on the ice too.

I can see how Toronto or other major markets like Montreal and NY have bigger media issues but its not like other teams and sports don't have serious media too? Cowboys, Patriots, Lakers, Yankee's, Manchester United etc are huge teams but the pressure isn't being blamed on media types.

Anybody know how Calgary fairs with regards to media? How many outlets may cover the Flames?

Thanks

Caged Great · 02-11-2015, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curves2000

Hi,

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts were on the media attention that a team like the Flames have locally and nationally?

One of the reasons why I ask this is with regards to a team like the Leafs. Some people say that the media pressure there is almost impossible to fathom and hinders performance on the ice too.

I can see how Toronto or other major markets like Montreal and NY have bigger media issues but its not like other teams and sports don't have serious media too? Cowboys, Patriots, Lakers, Yankee's, Manchester United etc are huge teams but the pressure isn't being blamed on media types.

Anybody know how Calgary fairs with regards to media? How many outlets may cover the Flames?

Thanks

As a quasi media person myself, I have spent the last 3 years advocating for patience and taking the long game approach to the rebuild as I want a cup and the only way to do it is to build smartly. Thankfully, the Flames are taking it slow and not rushing and allowing things to grow organically instead of shoehorning pieces in like they did following 2004.

There is a time to strike and get the final pieces, but that probably won't be until 2016-2017 or so. It will become apparent when that time is when we get closer to that date, but we are not at all close right at the moment. Now it is time to get some really solid secondary pieces like Chicago did when they acquired Brian Campbell and dealt Ruutu for Ladd. We would likely have to wait until the draft/July 1st to find such a player, but that will come.

Erick Estrada · 02-11-2015, 08:26 AM

Calgary media (I don't count Eric Francis as real sports media) is pretty fair for the most part. Not overly critical like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver but also not collecting money on the side from the big team like in Edmonton. They got testy at the end of Sutter's tenure and justly so as everything after the Phaneuf deal snowballed into a disaster.

Flashpoint · 02-11-2015, 08:36 AM

The "media" is in the business of generating site hits and nothing else. There are a handful of old school reporters like Eric Duhatschek who actually report on matters of interest to the sport, but the vast majority will be rah rah fanboys when the team is winning, and backstabbing assassins when things go wrong.

Look no further than the shortsightedness of media questioning Hartley's extension while in the midst of a losing streak. Conflating the two provides a headline... and nothing of interest or insight.

So long as the players recognize 90% of media is merely yapping dogs with an agenda to create controversy... They shouldn't feel much pressure.

Badgers Nose · 02-11-2015, 08:54 AM

I don't think it amounts to much.

Sutter was pretty hard on them, and the press sure didn't think he was cute before he won his cups.

Media called for rebuilds years before it happened but the team did it when they were good and ready.

It never seemed like the org cared too much about what external observers thought unless they were ticket holders.

I don't think much has changed.

DoubleF · 02-11-2015, 09:38 AM

I'm just guessing...

I'm guessing that the media is capable of "manipulating" the fans in Toronto and thus media pressure can add fan pressure to the team. With fans like that, maybe it's like playing an away game (or worse) but at home. It would suck.

Calgary fans don't seem to sway greatly with the media coverage (as far as I know). In fact, when a coach, management or player rebuffs the media, they don't really push it and often stand up for each other against the media.

That... or I'm really out to lunch with how our media treats/affects our players.

CliffFletcher · 02-11-2015, 09:48 AM

There's definitely more media attention in Calgary than in a lot of NHL cities. More media in scrums. More pointed questions asked in the dressing room when things aren't going well. Trade rumours bandied around. Not only players, but their family see these things. It's nowhere near as bad here as in Toronto or Montreal, but there's much more scrutiny on an NHL player in Calgary than in Florida, San Jose, or St. Louis.

That kind of attention is a minus for some players. Eric Duhatschek recently commented that Jeff Carter hated the media attention he got in Philadelphia (which is probably comparable to Calgary). Guy just hated answering questions to media, or knowing that his life away from the rink out at clubs and stuff could make the paper. Apparently he likes life in L.A. a lot more, where he can do his job in relative anonymity.

There are probably a fair number of Jeff Carters in the league. They want the spotlight when they're on the ice, and to be anonymous off it. And they won't get that in Calgary (or any Canadian city).

Huntingwhale · 02-11-2015, 10:01 AM

Since we are in a Canadian market, media scrutiny will be pretty intense. However I find it to be much more respectful and both sides work together here. Very rarely do you see headlines that scream controversy like it does in Toronto or Montreal. I can't remember the last time a player had a spat with a reporter. I think the Flames understand the media has a job to do and the media understands that the team/players read what they write and don't want to burn any bridges. Hartley seems to have a great relationship with the media and enjoys sharing information with them. Compare that to how someone like Torts or Lowe who seem to flip out at any given moment on them.

Overall I'm pretty happy with our media here. We don't have the Oilers Gestapo here ensuring their propaganda is being spread and compared to markets like Vancouver and Toronto, players here have it pretty good I think. The biggest thing for me with the rebuild is how on-board the media has been. No articles screaming for wins or plastering players on the front page after a young player has a giveaway taht results in a goal. The media here has done a great job of selling the rebuild to the public and IMO is the biggest reason most of the city is on board.

troutman · 02-11-2015, 10:19 AM

Brian Burke has not had to ban anyone yet, so the pressure is minimal.

I still don't get why media pressure helps the Habs, but hurts the Leafs.

CliffFletcher · 02-11-2015, 10:29 AM

I think the media pressure in Montreal is balanced by the whole culture and aura that comes from a bunch of hall of famers sitting in the stands every night as kind of guardian angels. Still not a place for players who don't like the spotlight.

Erick Estrada · 02-11-2015, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Brian Burke has not had to ban anyone yet, so the pressure is minimal.

I still don't get why media pressure helps the Habs, but hurts the Leafs.

Habs have been run better and successful as of late. Montreal is arguably far worse than Toronto when things aren't going well.

Weitz · 02-11-2015, 10:39 AM

I read an article yesterday in regards to the Toronto media and why it has such a negative effect on the team. The gist of the article was if you listen to HNIC or the radio shows or anything they are almost always negative. And sometimes extremely negative. Although the other Canadian teams have a lot of media coverage most of it isn't overtly negative.

Gaudfather · 02-11-2015, 11:16 AM

Negative or positive media coverage is purely a function of how the team is both trying and what the results are.

At the beginning of this season the Flames saw far more skeptical or negative coverage than positive. But given the Flames consistent never say die effort as well as much better than expected results - the media coverage - especially since Christmas has turned far more positive.

It is the same with the Leafs - the reason their media coverage has turned primarily negative is (i) their results have been well below expectations, but worse is (ii) the sense is the team isn't really trying and leaving it all on the ice each game.

You get the media coverage you deserve - at least in the medium and longer run.

Stay Golden · 02-11-2015, 11:38 AM

If the local media truly want the Flames to make the playoffs they should treat their interviews as just another hard working win for the Flames. Another solid goaltending performance, another come back win in the 3rd.
Leave playoffs out of the interviews.
This team has to stay in the mode Hartley is building.
I agree i don't think being under a constant criticism media microscope is healthy for a team.
Hartley does a great job keeping the spot light off the team.

Jbo · 02-11-2015, 11:59 AM

Local media has always been pretty fair on the Flames (minus Francis, who seems to like to stir the pot and throw out things he admits later were to get a rise)

Nationally, the Flames have gotten more praise in the last year then the previous decade since the cup run. TSN, Sportsnet etc all seem to love the work ethic and culture developing in Calgary.

Stay Golden · 02-11-2015, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbo

Local media has always been pretty fair on the Flames (minus Francis, who seems to like to stir the pot and throw out things he admits later were to get a rise)

Nationally, the Flames have gotten more praise in the last year then the previous decade since the cup run. TSN, Sportsnet etc all seem to love the work ethic and culture developing in Calgary.

Francis would fit in perfect with the TO sports media. He should move there.

CliffFletcher · 02-11-2015, 01:15 PM

It's not necessarily the attitude of the media, but the number.

A lot of NHL teams play in markets where they are covered by one docile beat reporter. Doesn't matter how fair the media is in a Canadian city, players are still going to have to deal with 6-8 reporters crowding into the locker room after every game putting microphones in their faces.

Then there's the scrutiny away from the rink. In a lot of American cities nobody can pick even the star NHL players out of a police lineup. Players in Canadian cities get a lot more attention away from the rink, their kids have their dads brought up by classmates, etc.

It's just different playing in any Canadian city (and a handful of U.S. hockey markets) than it is playing elsewhere in the NHL. Some players don't have a problem with it, some do.