Threatening letters complain about cheerleaders, female athletes on TV

[sportschick]

The world is full of crazy people. That is all.

FBI seeks author of threatening letters complaining about cheerleaders, female athletes on TV

By WILLIAM McCALL
Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The FBI offered a $5,000 reward Tuesday for help finding whoever mailed dozens of threatening letters _ including some containing a potentially harmful insecticide _ complaining about TV coverage of college cheerleaders and professional female athletes.

The writer or writers complained that ESPN and ABC crews have exploited cheerleaders, WNBA players and WTA Tour players through certain camera angles, even though those angles were rarely shown on the air.

The FBI released excerpts of two letters in the hope of identifying who sent them.

"For the past 6-7 years, ESPN and its nationwide networks have exploited cheer/dance teams all across the country. They do this by parking their TV cameras on these women for their own personal entertainment," an excerpt from one letter said.

"Pigs park their cameras on us close up, front view, dozens of times each game, yet rarely ever show on TV in this manner," another excerpt read.

Investigators believe the author "may be directly or indirectly involved in some element of cheerleading and/or the television production/coverage aspect of collegiate athletics," according to an FBI statement.

A spokesman for ESPN said the network is cooperating with authorities but could not give details about the investigation.

The letters were sent to national networks and their local affiliates, as well as people in states throughout the West and Midwest, according to the FBI office in Portland. Recipients also included people associated with university athletic departments in Ohio, Michigan and Arizona.

The initial batch of letters was postmarked in Portland and delivered in September 2004. Subsequent batches of letters were delivered between November 2006 and February, mostly with postmarks from Seattle, but some also were sent from Chicago, the FBI said.

The letters claim camera crews spent too much time on close-ups of cheerleaders. One letter also complained about coverage of WNBA players.

The FBI declined to identify the kind of insecticide contained in some of the letters but said there were no reports of injuries.

In a letter sent in September 2004, the author objects to the timing and angles of the shots captured by camera crews during sports events.

"We have asked nicely for them to respect us and all women, yet they refuse. They exploit innocent people, so we will too. When they start respecting us, we stop mailing these out," the letter reads.

The author of a letter sent in December 2006 complains that networks unfairly favor more modestly dressed cheerleading squads.

"For the last 6 years, Ohio State cheerleaders have received more TV time than any other Division 1A cheer squad on ESPN, because they wear long sleeved red/white outfits. If they wore sleeveless outfits, they would not get ANY TV time. So, we are fed up with this constant exploitation," the author wrote.

Calls made after hours Tuesday to Ohio State officials, WNBA headquarters and a WTA Tour spokesman were not immediately returned.

 

[Cadet]

Seems as if the TV crews can't win either way.

Sending threatening letters, especially laced with insecticide, is always wrong.

That said, I was disgusted with the pervyness of certain cameramen during my brief stint in TV. Working in the production truck, I often saw the T&A shots cameramen would find during commercial timeouts. Cheerleaders, fans, even some players, coaches, trainers, etc.

When I reviewed tape brought back to the studio by male college students, it blew my mind how they didn't seem to realize their wandering eyes would be preserved.

I don't think ESPN/ABC/etc. are in the business of exploiting women through coverage of games, but I understand the mindset the first writer is complaining about.

 

[RokSki]

I don't understand how Ohio State wearing long sleeve outfits gets them more TV time. Wouldn't the opposite be true (more skin), given the argument?

 

[PCLoadLetter]

We got one of these at my station a couple of years ago. What Cadet's saying is true, but these letters are the rantings of the mentally ill.

I believe we got the pesticide-free version, though.

 

[John]

The shocker girl didn't seem to mind.

 

[Write-brained]

This thread is useless without pictures.

Added: Apologies in advance, chick. :D

 

[RokSki]

That is sexy. Nice, WB

 

[chazp]

This thread is useless without pictures.

Added: Apologies in advance, chick. :D

I had a stressful night on deadline, but you made me forget all about it WB. Good job. You're the man.

 

[Meat Loaf]

God bless California.

 

[KP]

You can make a porn tape from the video shot looking in the windows at the hotel at SkyDome.

 

[The Commish]

How crazy can he be? The man wants to see more skin on TV. Sounds like 99 percent of male TV viewers.

 

[KP]

How crazy can he be? The man wants to see more skin on TV. Sounds like 99 percent of male TV viewers.

Wants to see more skin, but doesn't want the cameraguys in the girl's grill. (3-0 straight 2-seamer)

 

[Lugnuts]

I was disgusted with the pervyness of certain cameramen during my brief stint in TV. Working in the production truck, I often saw the T&A shots cameramen would find during commercial timeouts. Cheerleaders, fans, even some players, coaches, trainers, etc.

Certain cameramen? I would say 8 out of 10 of 'em do it. It's like standard operating procedure. ::)

It's one of those things I never had the energy or inclination to say anything about.

I do think the problem will work itself out as more women make their way into trucks.

 

[Idaho]

Anyone remember the Athens Olympics? Remember how the AP/Reuters photogs would focus on the butts of beach volleyball players and send photos cropped conveniently to show only the barely covered booties? I remember those photos quite well, actually.

I also remember thinking it was kind of creepy that dozens of butt shots were crossing the wire with the photo editors knowing those were pretty much just for their personal joy and would never appear in a vast majority of the newspapers they were sending them to.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

This thread is useless without pictures.

Added: Apologies in advance, chick. :D

*bowing in your direction*

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

It's gotta be the damn rap music.

 

[RokSki]

I've heard several radio outlets picking up this story today. Any more details yet?

 

[chazp]

The story was in USA Today this morning, but it didn't seem to have an update.

 

[RokSki]

The story was in USA Today this morning, but it didn't seem to have an update.

Thanks.

Just heard that the FBI is offering a $5K reward for helping in tracking down the letter-writer

 

[Starman]

According to tonight's latest AP update, the letters threatened "88 people to be shot."

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003576856

Maybe the sender thought it was a big yuk-yuk back in November and December and January and February when they sent 'em, but one thing's sure now: the cops are coming to get them, and they're bringing an ass-kicking along with 'em.