Redskins Insider: Guest Blog - Message Board Equity?

mattyk72 · Post by **mattyk72** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:10 am

Written by yours truly, enjoy guys

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskins ... equit.html

Got a submission from Matt for a guest blog, so here goes. He sent me a link to some articles done in Florida about how the Dolphins interact with the various passionate fans who put together websites and message boards geared to the Fins.

I know a lot of you guys frequent those types of sites when it comes to the Redskins (and pretty much any beat writer these days needs to check out the various locales as well to try to get a pulse of what the fans are thinking), so perhaps this will interest you.

Wheat · Post by **Wheat** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:41 am

Well done

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:43 am

* wipes away tears...

Somebody hold me.

Great blog, maybe we'll notice a change in winds sooner than later.

Wheat · Post by **Wheat** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:12 am

I tihnk the NFL will take control of all NFL related websites and the ownership of fansites by teams will be over. Just a gut feeling.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:11 am

Nice, Matt.

Gotta point out that once a "fan site" is acquired by a team, it is no longer a fan site. It's just another face of the marketing or community relations departments.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:46 am

Great job!

HOWEVER, What is this? Is it a subliminal message? Is pun intended? Is it an unintentional "accident"? Is it a faux pas? :lol:

Please read the last paragraph of your own entry:

I think it's time that Mr. Snyder re-evaluate the team's stance on allowing fan sites into training camp and embrace these other sites that are promoting the team with their own free time, hard work, and extreme love for the Washington Redskins.

Sincerely,
Matt Kyer
www.TheWarpath.net

(emphasis added in bold yellow, of course)

By the way, the request is modest at best. Access to Training camp as fan media is a very modest request. It may look like a mountain in view of current policies but it is a very small request.

Forgive me if I sound naive when I ask whether the large independent fan websites TheHogs, HailSkins and Warpath could be given the -same- status as all other members of the media IN GENERAL. Is it much to ask? Such access would allow them to also attend press conferences and other team events open to the media. The rationale is the following: The collection of independent Skins fan sites provides at least the same news and content coverage and often with greater insight and knowledge than many other professional media individuals and organizations.

But there is a second aspect to your entry that I notice. Your suggestion is directed to Daniel Snyder. This is a valid request buy Why? or more precisely, Why only him? Is it not the business of the NFL organization to have a say on media accreditation and access in addition to whatever say the teams might have on some events? Should the NFL Commissioner not revise these policies on behalf of all?

You do not touch on a very delicate point here that the NFL will have to discuss. What makes a fan site worthy of access? Is it number of subscribers? Is it number of hits? or Is it content? or Is it all of these and others, and which others?

- Would a single high-quality Blogger qualify as a Fan Site with access?

- Would a site with a very large membership but crappy content qualify?

- Would a site with very high traffic outplay the other qualities?

- Is there a maximum number of sites that could have access?

Fortunately, the Redskins have an easy answer to these questions. We are not talking about more than a handful of sites. We are talking about access to the accredited staff of ONLY THREE INDEPENDENT SITES. It looks as a mountain now but this is only because the amount of current access is, well, ZERO. :shock:

I am sure that the rules can be established and put in place to regulate any relationship that ensures independence and respect. It only takes some will and some PR smarts on both sides of the fence.

Hail to the Redskins!

RiC

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:57 pm

I really enjoyed this blog. I think that with our team not allowing full or even partial access, they are only hurting the fans who are the main reason that the Redskins franchise is one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. Don't bite the hands that feeds you Dan.

mattyk72 · Post by **mattyk72** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:22 pm

Redskin in Canada wrote:Great job!

HOWEVER, What is this? Is it a subliminal message? Is pun intended? Is it an unintentional "accident"? Is it a faux pas?

Please read the last paragraph of your own entry:

I think it's time that Mr. Snyder re-evaluate the team's stance on allowing fan sites into training camp and embrace these other sites that are promoting the team with their own free time, hard work, and extreme love for the Washington Redskins.

Sincerely,
Matt Kyer
www.TheWarpath.net
(emphasis added in bold yellow, of course)

By the way, the request is modest at best. Access to Training camp as fan media is a very modest request. It may look like a mountain in view of current policies but it is a very small request.

Forgive me if I sound naive when I ask whether the large independent fan websites TheHogs, HailSkins and Warpath could be given the -same- status as all other members of the media IN GENERAL. Is it much to ask? Such access would allow them to also attend press conferences and other team events open to the media. The rationale is the following: The collection of independent Skins fan sites provides at least the same news and content coverage and often with greater insight and knowledge than many other professional media individuals and organizations.

But there is a second aspect to your entry that I notice. Your suggestion is directed to Daniel Snyder. This is a valid request buy Why? or more precisely, Why only him? Is it not the business of the NFL organization to have a say on media accreditation and access in addition to whatever say the teams might have on some events? Should the NFL Commissioner not revise these policies on behalf of all?

You do not touch on a very delicate point here that the NFL will have to discuss. What makes a fan site worthy of access? Is it number of subscribers? Is it number of hits? or Is it content? or Is it all of these and others, and which others?

- Would a single high-quality Blogger qualify as a Fan Site with access?

- Would a site with a very large membership but crappy content qualify?

- Would a site with very high traffic outplay the other qualities?

- Is there a maximum number of sites that could have access?

Fortunately, the Redskins have an easy answer to these questions. We are not talking about more than a handful of sites. We are talking about access to the accredited staff of ONLY THREE INDEPENDENT SITES. It looks as a mountain now but this is only because the amount of current access is, well, ZERO.

I am sure that the rules can be established and put in place to regulate any relationship that ensures independence and respect. It only takes some will and some PR smarts on both sides of the fence.

Hail to the Redskins!

RiC

Yes the 'extreme' part was intentional, just a little fun with words. Nice catch.

You make some good points, perhaps I'll have to continue on with this blog with future installments.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:50 am

Great stuff Matt, and congratulations on the deserved pop that you're undoubtedly getting.

Thanks for the mention too, I appreciate it.

They can't keep us out forever - no matter how hard they try.

So... are you heading to camp this year. :wink:

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:00 am

Supply and Demand...The Dolphins had more of the first and less of the latter. That's really what it comes down too. Do you think for one second Synder snatched up ES to be nice....The fan sites have to show DS why it would be advantageous for him to grant access to fan sites.

Don't forget about the other media outlets... most want no part of fan sites getting access and it showed when the fan sties were there two years ago.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:49 am

You mean the, "It sure is crowded in here" comment? :roll:

In all seriousness though, I contact several media members after that mini-camp, and they all said the same thing: "Other than the guys from ES taking pictures with some of the media members like groupies, we didn't really even notice that fan sites were there." Isn't that really what we wanted?

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:57 am

DEHog wrote:Supply and Demand...The Dolphins had more of the first and less of the latter. That's really what it comes down too. Do you think for one second Synder snatched up ES to be nice....The fan sites have to show DS why it would be advantageous for him to grant access to fan sites.

Don't forget about the other media outlets... most want no part of fan sites getting access and it showed when the fan sties were there two years ago.

Snyder snatched up ES because he wants to control the medium to the extent that he is able

BnGhog · Post by **BnGhog** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:57 am

Countertrey wrote:Nice, Matt.

Gotta point out that once a "fan site" is acquired by a team, it is no longer a fan site. It's just another face of the marketing or community relations departments.

That's why I don't even go on the site.