Crisis Communications in Sports

In this edition of Crisis Communications in Sports, EAG Sports Management CEO and Founder Denise L. White discusses the short and long term reputational damage professional athletes face when they are embroiled in a PR nightmare, such as the one golfer Phil Mickelson is currently traversing. Denise utilizes more than two decades of experience to offer her assessment of the situation and advice on how to mitigate the fallout (08:22). Hosts Jim Rocco and Cris Bruce kick off the show by examining the daunting journey that Major League Baseball will have ahead of itself in order to regain fan support whenever the now shortened season gets underway (00:45). 

Crisis Communications in Sports returns with an all-new episode that delves into the complex and hotly-debated topic of college athlete compensation and the chaotic start to the Name, Image and Likeness era in college sports. Gabe Feldman, one of the country's foremost authorities on NIL, speaks with hosts Jim Rocco and Cris Bruce about the complexities involved, the seemingly ever-changing framework and what he believes the future holds (08:01).  Jim and Cris open the show with an interesting take on the role reputation played in the most recent Baseball Hall of Fame voting (00:35).       

Crisis Communications in Sports is back with a brand new episode that features an in-depth interview with the former Chief Marketing Officer of the United States Olympic Committee, Rick Burton (10:01). Rick speaks with hosts Jim Rocco and Isaac Benjamin about his experience handling the marketing responsibilities for previous olympics and the daunting challenges his predecessor faces with this year’s games. Jim and Isaac open the show dissecting the controversy with new Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups introductory press conference and break down how the backlash could have been avoided (0:38).

This week's episode of Crisis Communications in Sports features a fascinating interview with Derek Rucker, a marketing professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (7:25). Hosts Jim Rocco and Isaac Benjamin talk to Derek about the challenges of advertising during this year's Super Bowl, brands that dropped the ball in years past, and how they recovered. Jim and Isaac open the show discussing a report that the Japanese government has privately conceded that this year's Summer Olympics will not be happening, and how Japan and the IOC have bungled their response to the article (0:48).

This year's final episode of Crisis Communications in Sports features an interview with a New York-area public relations legend (7:08). Jay Horwitz was the Mets venerable PR chief for nearly four decades and currently serves as their head of alumni relations. Jay sits down with hosts Jim Rocco and Isaac Benjamin to discuss his time devising public relations strategies for the team's front office and players, especially during the team's glory years in the 1980's. Jay also talks about his recently-published book, Mr. Met, and his inspiration for writing it. Before the interview, Jim and Isaac give their takes on the hotly debated comments regarding playing during COVID made by Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski  (0:44). 

This special Thanksgiving-week episode of Crisis Communications in Sports features a conversation with renowned NFL journalist Peter King (7:08). Hosts Isaac Benjamin and Jim Rocco asked Peter to weigh-in on the very public crisis that's unfolding within the Houston Texans' organization and the baffling personnel moves that have ensued, including the firing of the highly-regarded ex-VP of Communications Amy Palcic. The Texans chalked it up to Palcic no longer being 'a cultural fit' with the team, an explanation that did not sit well with players or the media. Peter, Jim and Isaac talk about the optics for the NFL as the only female head of communications was let go on such dubious grounds. Before the Peter King interview, Jim and Isaac breakdown the NY Giants' public relations strategy in response to the rumored fight between head coach Joe Judge and offensive line coach Marc Colombo (1:13). 

The newest edition of Crisis Communications in Sports features Kery Davis, Athletic Director of Howard University (12:04). Davis speaks to hosts Jim Rocco and Isaac Benjamin about some of the remarkable achievements on the sports front that have transpired during his time at "The Mecca". From NBA great Steph Curry pledging his financial support to start a new D1 golf program at Howard University to the unlikely and historically significant commitment of 5-star basketball recruit Makur Maker, Davis discusses in-depth the challenges and rewards that came with bringing these extraordinary accomplishments to fruition. Jim and Isaac open the show with an interesting debate about new Mets owner Steven Cohen  (00:34), the communication tactics he employed during his first press conference, and what he needs to do publicly to get fans to buy in.

This week's episode of Crisis Communications in Sports features an interview with former NBA agent and sports & entertainment executive Graham Boone (11:14). Graham speaks with hosts Jim Rocco and Isaac Benjamin about his experiences handling crises and media relations through the lens of player representation. The interview begins with a fascinating conversation about Graham's time representing Jeremy Lin during the height of 'Linsanity', and the free agency period following his meteoric rise. Jim and Isaac open the show discussing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing former All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown while he still faces sexual assault allegations (0:37), breaking down the Buc's public relations response to the sensitive situation, especially in relation to Tampa Bay's coach Bruce Arians, an outspoken advocate for women on and off the field.  

This week's episode of Crisis Communications in Sports begins with a conversation between hosts Jim Rocco and Isaac Benjamin about the initial fallout from the tragic injury to Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (0:42), and how owner Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys organization have responded publicly, particularly in light of last season's contentious contract negotiations. Following that conversation, James Kennedy of Rugby United New York and Major League Rugby joins the show to talk about his efforts to grow the game in the U.S., how the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the season and the importance of developing U.S. born players and building the national team (13:26).

Thursday's edition of Crisis Communications in Sports features an insightful interview with sports broadcasting legend Mary Carillo. Over the past 40 years, Mary has seen it all, but as she explains, there has been nothing quite like covering Grand Slam tournaments during a pandemic. In her discussion with hosts Jim and Isaac, Mary talks about her experience calling the US Open on-site but without fans, the Djokovic line-judge drama, and social activism in her beloved sport. But before the interview, Isaac and Jim discuss a lawsuit filed last month that is the first of its kind; it involves a professional surfer suing a sponsor because he claims they are not paying him money owed due to unsatisfied contract requirements caused by inaction during the pandemic.