ESPN ombudsman recaps network's 'Spygate' coverage

I KNOW SPYGATE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED TO NEAR DEATH .... BUT ...

You should read this article written by someone with an ounce of intelligence at ESPN. I am glad she 'sticks to the facts' and wrote an article about Wingo, Schlerth and Carter going way too overboard on speculation when they had too much time to kill a month ago live on television.

I hope many people in New England and surrounding area have begun the boycott of ESPN.

Once a proud network, reduced to trash coverage. The only thing left there that is respectable is Chris Berman.

Frankly, just another reason why I don't watch, read or trust ESPN anymore.

If I want to get information about something going on in sports, ESPN does not even cross my mind these days. ESPN is a joke.

GO PATS

Interesting. I personally thought it was worth noting that Esterbrook was calling for the suspension of a coach of a team with Jewish owners. Let's not forget why he was kicked of ESPN in his first go-around with them.

Good article.

I don't understand why ESPN suddenly turned into the Jerry Springer show. They should just stick to the facts and let their viewers have whatever emotional reaction they want to.

Mike - I have a feeling that Schlereth is pushing the envelope with his own twisted version of freedom of speech. ESPN might have booted the wrong big mouth when they axed Salisbury. "Stink" needs to shut up and appreciate having such a great gig as a NFL reporter on ESPN. There's tons of people out there that would kill to have his job, and they would do it in a classy, professional manner. I used to like his analysis, but now his ego rants are so vain he's too hard to listen to. It's hard to not like a guy that played his guts out with NUMEROUS injuries, but Schlereth has managed to verbally cast himself as a journalistic villain. So to Mark Schlereth I say, "GO HAVE A FREAKING SANDWICH!!!" ... maybe then he'll shut up.

Regards,
Burkie

I don’t know what point of the Le Anne Schreiber article is. Is it trying to serve as an apology!? Probably.
The damage that "NFL live" special did can not be undone. There should be a congressional investigation!
I know, I listen to NFL Radio, and there were a LOT of callers who didn’t know football that well or didn’t know the facts or didn’t have time to investigate the facts who were greatly influenced by the opinions of Schlereth and Carter. Schlereth and Carter have lost all my respect.

I congratulate all those of pats nation who caused a fuss at ESPN and were the reason the Le Anne Schreiber article was written.

This article isn't even on the ESPN football RSS feed. Jeesh, what a joke.

The NFLN eats ESPN's football coverage for breakfast. Ever notice that NFLN has as analysts numerous Hall of Fame players Marshall Faulk, Rod Woodson while ESPN rolls out marginal ex NFL players like Mark Schlereth, James Hasty, Marcellus Wiley etc. With all respect, ESPN does have a couple of HOF players like Emitt Smith, too bad his 4th grade Florida education is on display every Sunday.

2 Quick points
"I don’t know what point of the Le Anne Schreiber article is. Is it trying to serve as an apology!? Probably."

OMNIBUDSMAN are objective staff that comment on the Media outlet that hires them. Good to know when you get frustrated with reporting anywhere (NYT coverage of the Pats comes to mind) this is the person that you lobby to set it right.

ESPN=Jerry Springer - per Gick
I think this gets to the heart of the matter....

Journalism is truly in crisis in the USA. These days, it's a growing challenge to select a reliable source for information, because there are now so many outlets, both in sports and news, that were once reliable sources of facts and fairness; which have now become ratings hungry "entertainment" programs. They present, and often create controversy for its' own sake, with little or no atention to facts or fairness. Viewers and readers are left to accept whatever information is presented to them that fits their pre-conceived attitudes and opinions. Shame on ESPN for joining that group of irresponsible, money hungry purveyors of trash!

Dear FoxborughGuy,
I know what an OMNIBUDSMAN is. I was trying to be satirical. I believe that article is an attempt by ESPN to TRY to apologize and legitimize themselves.
Thanks anyway...

I think the media industry lack rationalism, Boston Herald should have fired John Tomase, not sure why hes still there and on top of it he is still covering patriots. ESPN should fire Gregg Easterbrook who seems to have personal vendetta against Bellichick. And they should fire Mark Schelereth and Chris carter , I never liked carter from his HBO days, the few good guys are bob costas, peter king, cris collinsworth, who atleast try to be rational at all times.

Refreshing to read, but she has been very critical in the past and little has changed. ESPN's Spygate coverage is why I only rely on them for ACTUAL live games. I just wish I had NFLN...

.....no, I don't think the Ombudsman's report is an "attempt to apologize"....if it was, ESPN would have prominently displayed the article (or at least a LINK to the article) ON THEIR OWN WEBSITE!.....the only reason I saw it was because of Reiss's Pieces........When I went to ESPN's MAIN PAGE it took me 15 minutes to find it.......bottomline, it was a very good report on ESPN's coverage of "spygate"......although in the end it just verified what we already knew, that ESPN just LOVED the SOAP OPERA aspects of "spygate" and milked it for all it was worth.......(and trust me, they ain't done milking this cow yet)

Very true ESPN has developed into tabloid nonsense just like most network programing. It should be no suprise that all this garbage filters down from one main corp. source. ESPN only talks about certain individuals for instance there's only 3 basketball players in the NBA now Kobe,D.Wade, and Lebron. As for the NFL coverage they spent the majority of the 2008 season promoting the worst team player in the NFL who also happen's to hold a record for most interceptions King Farve. So what does it all mean ? Nothing just pure nonsense and propaganda. Theres hardly any coverage of any sports at all.