Detroit Lions Accused Of Censorship

[Ookpik]

Lions heading to WJR in 2016

Is this something that is common in pro sports or does this fall into the "only the Lions" category?

 

[DanOregon]

Most teams don't even have to ask.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

I don't think its a Lions thing as much as an NFL thing, with most teams trying to bully the local media into complete and total **** sucking.

Valenti and Foster should be fun today on 97.1.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Not the same as dealing with the local media, though. This is about the broadcast rights; who the Lions choose to sell those rights to. The Lions are free to partner with whatever radio station they want to broadcast their games. Presumably the **** sucking is an inherent part of those deals. It sounds like CBS couldn't live with that, so the Lions are partnering with another radio station.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

Mike Valenti's agent has sent out an e-mail saying one of the Lions' conditions for remaining at 97.1 was that Valenti be fired. How weak do you look as an organization that you can't handle the criticism of a talk show host?

 

[cranberry]

Ho-hum. They were outbid for the broadcast rights and they need something to say in public.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

No one goes from FM to AM.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Yeah. They had the broadcast rights for 12 years. There was likely something that broke down in negotiations beyond the broadcast fees.

 

[X-Hack]

An Ookpik is nothing but hair. If you shave him, he isn't there.

And when in doubt, it's a Lions thing.

 

[HanSenSE]

Most team broadcasts have all the objectivity of government radio.

 

[RubberSoul1979]

Most team broadcasts have all the objectivity of government radio.

Seriously.
We're spoiled to have Ted Robinson and Tim Ryan on the call for Niners games.
The calls you hear from around the country -- former players-turned commentators cheering and yucking it up -- are just ridiculous.

 

[Neutral Corner]

I have a friend who lives in Detroit. His take, via FB:

"Mike married a friend of mine and she insists that he is a great guy (but his radio persona is an azzhole, my words). Regardless, kudos to CBS Radio and The Ticket 97.1 for showing integrity and not being bullied around by the most dysfunctional, inbred, stupidest, and losingest American Royal family (their thought process) ever!!!!!"

And the link he posted - Mike Valenti Says Allegations About Lions 'Absolutely True'

 

[HanSenSE]

Seriously.
We're spoiled to have Ted Robinson and Tim Ryan on the call for Niners games.
The calls you hear from around the country -- former players-turned commentators cheering and yucking it up -- are just ridiculous.

Bay Area - most of Northern California, really - has always been a haven for honesty in broadcasters, from Bill King's tirades against NBA officiating an J. Walter Kennedy to Jon Miller's call of Ruben Rivera's dreadful baserunning. The A's had Harry Caray on their crew after he got the heave-ho in St. Louis and it may be the only place his style failed.