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a step forward
From a new coach and an updated roster to better finances and a looming new home, Red Bull New York is poised to make 2008 different.
Nothing says “let’s get this season started” like media day. After some brief words from the front office all the players spread out on coaches, available to whoever for whatever. My goal for the few hours I had over an extended lunch break was to introduce myself and TIAS to some of the players and get a barometer on the possibility of working with the team and players on some in-depth features for the summer. A new season means new opportunities for soccer journalism. After the jump, a few photos from the afternoon in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.
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Marc de Grandpe spoke for a few minutes on Red Bull Park–steel is going into the concrete-filled ground in July; it is on schedule for opening day 2009–and the business side of the franchsise–doing “very well;” as of last week they have sold more season tickets than last year for more money.
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Juan Carlos Osorio takes a few questions; the room buzzes with journalists asking, snapping, writing, recording, downloading.
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I asked Jozy about what had changed in his life off the field over the last few years. “It’s been a whirlwind,” he said. “But it’s for the better. Things have opened up for me. I’ve had the chance to do a lot of off the field stuff, whether its charity work or just getting out. It’s been good. It’s definitely taking a step forward.” I asked about his mom, who I knew he used to live with. Had that changed? “I think I’m gonna let her come back,” Jozy said laughing and flashing that million dollar transfer-fee smile. “We’ll see what happens.”
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needed: soccer player for photo
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the future
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the interview triple
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Popularity: 17% [?]
Ariel Judas
on Mar 27th, 2008 - 10:21am
I envy you, guys… This kind of open-door policy regarding media access to the whole squad is something impossible to have in Europe or in top-class leagues in South America. Getting the chance of interviewing a Real Madrid, F.C. Barcelona or -say- Valencia takes hour and hours of phone calls, e-mails, saying “please, please, we won’t hurt him…” and blah, blah, blah…
Adam, is this open-door policy the same for every MLS team? Is David Beckham, for instance, that easy to interview? As for I have read in some other sources, the L.A. Galaxy players are quite media-phobic. Is it so?
In my opinion, New York and D.C. (along with Houston Dynamo) have the best squads for this season.
Regards from Barcelona,
Ariel
Adam
on Mar 27th, 2008 - 10:40am
Ariel -
Talking to Beckham would be similar to how you describe the European situations. translation: basically impossible for a tiny outlet like TIAS.
As for other teams and the relationship to the media, my experience is limited to the Red Bulls who as you can see are great about accepting new media ventures like TIAS. But the low profile of MLS in the USA definitely makes that possible, especially for niche outlets (again, like TIAS). If I were writing a website about Major League Baseball, for example, I would very likely not be allowed to do some of the things you have seen here. That is one of the very cool things about MLS.
All that being said, I’d trade my own access for La Liga-like quality any day. I hope one day MLS will get there.
Brian Quarstad
on Mar 27th, 2008 - 7:01pm
Adam-
I’ve contemplated for a while now writing an article about this very subject that Ariel brings up. Being the American half of a duo blogging about Fulham Football Club, it has come to amaze me how little information comes from the clubs in the Premiership. As Ariel says, access in general is just not really allowed in Europe and particularly England.
Here in the States, if your a sports beat writer and have your credentials, you get to go into most teams locker rooms after games and everyone is pretty much available for interviews. There’s much more of an open door policy.
So I’ve asked the question, is it any wonder why there is so much sensationalism and tabloid fodder in England. If the clubs there would allow more access, I’m willing to bet that some of the slime that comes from the red tops wouldn’t be quite so prevalent or at least lose some of it’s intrigue. Why read rumor when you can get a real story.
Keep up the good work Adam.
Ariel Judas
on Mar 29th, 2008 - 3:55pm
I’ve had the chance to check by myself the NYRB´s kindness towards the media. Last October (while I was in New York, mixing work and holidays) I got the chance to interview J.P. Angel at the team’s training field at Montclair State University, thanks to Ernesto Motta and his P.R. staff.
Again, not a very usual thing in Spain or Argentina, the two countries I know best.
Regards from Barcelona,
Ariel
P.S.: I am following the Chicago Fire @ Real Salt Lake game through a Spanish speaking radio cast, and they keep complaining about the Real’s field. Is it that bad actually?
steve mcgrath
on Apr 2nd, 2008 - 3:03pm
Real Salt Lake’s field is a college (American) football stadium and it is that bad actually. The football markings remain on the field and it’s very ugly. It’s not a bad place to see an college American football game, but it’s a terrible place to see a soccer match.
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