It's Time To Talk About Sports Media Etiquette
Start writing a post
Sports

It's Time To Talk About Sports Media Etiquette

After a horrific accident to end the Daytona 500 on Monday, the ethics of sports media have come to the lime light.

14
It's Time To Talk About Sports Media Etiquette

Very few times are members of the sports media world put into a situation where an extreme event has occurred. Following the 2020 Daytona 500, a violent crash on the last lap led to the driver of the car being immediately taken to the hospital. Members of the TV/Radio/Press media could've done a better job at the way they handled this accident. Problems like this rarely occur, but when they do, it is a good time for the sports media world to take a step back and look to see if there is anything that could've been done differently.

The Main Issue

NASCAR

Auto racing is one of the few sports where there is a chance that one of the athletes can lose their life on live TV. Now some of the great broadcasters have trained for this issue, but after one of the most gut wrenching crashes in recent memory, FOX Sports has been blasted for how they reacted/covered the end of their broadcast. After initial live viewing, the wreck seemed that Ryan Newman's #6 car had flipped, like some cars do at Daytona International Speedway, but then a FOX Sports replay showed that Newman's car was T-boned driver side window at nearly 200 mph.

FOX's replay was a slow-motion that showed the direct impact to Newman's car, which left almost all viewers feeling sick. Now after the fact FOX did a good job with how the handled this issue. FOX normally will interview the winner after he celebrates on the front stretch, but Denny Hamlin's team informed him that he wouldn't be interviewed, following his victory of the Daytona 500.

Once the camera was back on Mike Joy, and Jeff Gordon, it was clear that Gordon was upset by what he saw, but Mike Joy made a quick statement informing viewers, which some may have never seen NASCAR before, about the situation, and didn't speculate on Newman's condition. This isn't FOX's first rodeo with this kind of issue, as FOX's first NASCAR broadcast was the 2001 Daytona 500, where Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life. FOX's 20 year tenured play-by-play announcer was complimented for his work during 2001 500, and the Monday's wreck. Members of the media weren't as prepared or ready for this situation.

Ethics of the situation

Corey LaJoie

After most NASCAR races, the TV and Radio broadcasts will interview the winner and drivers who ran well during the race. For the Daytona 500, Ryan Blaney, who finished second, was interviewed after the race. Blaney's #12 car was the car the unintentionally turned Newman's car head on into the outside wall, it was very clear from the FOX broadcast that Blaney was shaken up by the wreck, as he saw what had happened to Newman.

Also, FOX Sports Bob Pockrass was interviewing Corey LaJoie, pictured above, who's car was the car the slammed into Newman's car right at the driver's side window. LaJoie was simultaneously being interviewed by MRN's at the care center, where LaJoie was informed by Pockrass that Newman was taken straight to the hospital, in a video, LaJoie was visibly upset when he heard that, and asked Pockrass where he had hit Newman, then the video ended.

The question comes, where is crossing the line, on FOX Sports' RaceHub, Brad Keselowski, said that he had talked to Ryan Blaney, Keselowski's teammate, and said that Blaney was still upset with what had happened. While turning somebody into the wall resulting them going straight to the hospital is a feeling that no one should ever endure, the fact that there were camera's and microphones right in the driver's faces following that accident is a little upsetting.

What If It Happens Again?

Richard Childress Racing

Just like the safety of the racecars, there is always a chance for the media to grow following a situation of this magnitude. Many look back to the passing of Kobe Bryant, where some players were shaken up, and some teams refused to allow media access. Now drivers are recommended to talk to the media, mainly for sponsor obligations, but, teams are allowed to step in, in order to allow the driver to control his emotions.

While there was no update at the time, it was clear the accident in the Daytona 500 was a severe one, and FOX could've used better judgment when looking to interview the drivers who were involved in the accident. Instances like this, fortunately, happen very infrequently, but when they do there is always a chance to learn how to process a crisis like this, in the off-chance, it will happen again.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58284
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37548
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959170
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193195
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments