Page 37 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 67

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #67 June 2018 37

Sports Energy

Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper

Sports Energy presents Sports Panel

Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper

Sports commentators; when do they cross a line?
Sports Energy
Along with the NHL, NBA teams are battling through their playoffs to hoist the Larry

Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
O’Brien NBA Championship trophy. Earlier this month, Charles Barkley (now NBA sports
commentator with TNT (Turner Network Television) publically made blatant repeated re-

marks inciting violence on national television about wanting to punch NBA player Golden

State Warriors Draymond Green in the face. Given the number of people (young and old)

following the NBA, do you believe the response or lack of response from the NBA and TNT

justifies the seriousness of a sports’ commentator publically inciting violence towards an

NBA player?

Gilles Gaudet - Sports Enthusiast - At first glance Charles Barkley’s comments do lead us to believe that he has crossed the line
and gone too far in his verbal attack on Draymond Green. If we dig a little further, we only have to look at our own Don Cherry
to realize that the line of good taste and social responsibility has been blurred beyond recognition. What it all comes down to
basically is economics, and by that I mean money, big money. The NBA is paid 2.7 billion dollars a year by ESPN and TNT, that’s
right billion! Viewership is up by 15%, and almost 2 million fans are watching each game on average. Who’s profiting from all
this income, well Charles Barkley makes 1.5 million a year from TNT, and Draymond Green’s salary with the Warriors is 16.4
million dollars this year.
Over the years Charles Barkley has made many controversial comments for example; “only poor people go to jail” and “I don’t
care what people think, people are stupid”. In case you think that Charles Barkley is one bad dude, think again. He’s given away
millions of dollars and supported causes such as, Stand up to Cancer, Ante up for Africa, Wounded Warriors, and many, many
others. He is a strong voice and an advocate in the black community, and despite his frequent indiscretions, he is a role model to
many. So in this age of hyped up social media and say anything mentality, Charles comments are accepted as part of the deal. It’s
really all about the money!

Jake Lapierre - Conditioning Coach - For the most part, I believe the NBA management has done a good job developing the
league into a respectful, professional, community & family friendly organisation. NBA watch dogs have been diligent addressing
issues and complaints with statements that might have been misinterpreted, or deemed somewhat racist or sexist, and suspensions
have been handed down on announcers and broadcasters. Case & point LA Clippers long-time play-by-play announcers Ralph
Lawler and color analyst Michael Smith were suspended for mispronouncing the word Iranian (eyeranian) referencing Memphis
centre Hamed Haddadi. Oklahoma City Thunder announcer Brian Davis was suspended for the word “cotton-picking” (which was
deemed racist) “Westbrook is out of his cotton-picking mind” referencing Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook.
In my opinion, Charles Barkley’s repeated comment of wanting to punch Draymond Green in the face and then apologizing for
the statement to Green’s mom restating he didn’t mean he wanted to punch Green, he wanted someone to punch Green in the face
is simply unbelievable. Barkley should have been severely reprimanded or fired for publically inciting violence. As for NBA &
Turner Network’s response, “CRICKETS”; I guess depending on who is crossing the line, it becomes a moving target.

Jim Riddell - Seaway Karate Club -
The lack of response from both the league and the network seems to indicate that any publicity is good, as look as it sparks
interest and maintains ratings. Some commentators may be more concerned about being in the forefront than doing the job with
professionalism and class. The late great sports caster Howard Cosell was a master at keeping a high profile and one of his many
incidents involved Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney who were just in Cornwall supporting The Children’s Treatment Centre. It
was June 12th, 1981 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, and Larry Holmes had just retained his World Heavyweight Title with a 3rd
rnd KO of Leon Spinks. Gerry Cooney was sitting at ringside and the hype for a Holmes – Cooney fight had already started to
build. During the post-fight interview Larry told Howard that he wouldn’t discuss Cooney until after the contract had been signed,
warning Cosell not to bring Cooney into the interview unless he wanted trouble. Ignoring Larry, Cosell had Cooney brought to
the interview area and in the skirmish that followed an accidental Holmes elbow caught Cosell in the mouth, cutting his lower
lip. Remaining calm and professional throughout, Cosell wiped the blood off his mouth saying “this is not as easy a business as
it seems, - but it’s all in a day’s work”. Charles Barkley and perhaps some others could learn a few things about the profession by
studying Howard Cosell.