Off the Record

November 24, 2008

Off the Record

I've had some interesting reaction to the Gossip and Polls posted on this site, and thought I’d share a few reflections on the issue.

The vast majority of people who wrote in absolutely loved to hear this kind of news and I strongly get the impression that the industry brand managers secretly like to see the opinions of their audience as they make these critical hire-and-fire contractual decisions.

But on the other hand some people have sent messages that fully slate the idea of rumour or speculation. Some of these have even been from insiders who’re then afraid of being pinpointed as the likely leak of a juicy lead. In fact I've even had abusive mail from the riders themselves. Yes. I have been tempted to publish these. No. I won’t do that. Ever.

But perhaps everyone should use the comments section below to air their thoughts in a more public fashion? Please remember this is YOUR place to give your views. I just start the conversation.

I can appreciate it is difficult when a rider is still in negotiation with a sponsor that there is news posted online. But this is a sport that wants to grow and with that comes increased media pressure to handle.

For example, if an NFL star has speculation on their future in the press I wonder if they write fiery rude mails to the key Football journalists who published articles on them switching teams or being fired? Maybe they do. But there are also many that see that ‘no publicity is bad publicity’, and acknowledge when the ‘cat is out of the bag’ as being a fact they can’t escape and a potential media opportunity to raise their value.

Journalists are powerful. They can spread a message far and wide instantly. Arguably I could make a much bigger splash by revealing everything I hear as told to me. I’m pretty sure the stories would dry-up soon enough from some sources if I did though.

I don’t want hearsay to be the sole reason this site exists. The Beach Telegraph is here to connect windsurfing and other relevant beach sports magazines with readers and related websites with visitors. Period. Part of that is reporting on tittle-tattle that is discussed on beaches worldwide anyway.

What do you think? Should we have everything that’s been ‘outed’ anyway hung out for all to see? Or should we respect someone’s income and livelihood by keeping schtoom and let fate take its course? As everything in life boils down to trust.

Here’s two rules regardless of this discussion:

1. All my sources remain anonymous.

2. All my sources remain anonymous.

Thanks for checking in and I’ll be interested to read your comments.

Nov 24, 2008 8:27:00 AM | Gossip, Polls, Talking Points

5 Comments

I have been windsurfing for over 15 years now as a hobby and part of that time has been spent following the personal and company developments in the windsurfing world. Living far removed from where most of the international action is, and therefore reliant on media as my source of information, I havn't really find anything that gave me a 'real' feeling of what is happening in the sport - I always had the feeling that most magazines and sources of information only gave 'sanitized' information.

I find this site great - by bringing up real stories of what is happening it makes the sport, and the people driving it forward, much more real and human and makes me feel much closer to the sport. I don't think this should turn into a slander/gossip rag - and it will be a fine line to walk to ensure it doesn't - but, I feel this is a great boon for people who love this sport and want to get more involved.

As to the riders who don't like this exposure - I can perhaps see their frustration, but I agree with you, they are professionals and this is part of the job.

Keep up the good work, and congratulations for trying something like this.

Posted by: Mik | November 24, 2008 at 11:01 AM