During this global economic collapse, a great many cities across this nation are discovering that the financial benefit promised by successful sports teams was nothing more than a lie.
Kansas City is struggling to compete when it comes to this urban core centered stimulus ideology that has now been almost completely discredited. Put simply, Downtown still doesn't have an anchor for the hundreds of millions worth of redevelopment and in the unlikely event that a team is desperate enough to move here . . . The financial impact would be negligible if so many other sports franchises in dying cities across the country can be used as an example.
Infrastructure, education and security are the real driving forces which power communities whereas big ticket items like sports teams and entertainment districts have been proven to be nothing more than a distraction.
Let's also not forget that Kansas City has a pathetically small . . . Media Market.
All of these factors I've cited contribute the general mediocrity exhibited by Kansas City's sports teams for more than a generation.
In the midst of all of this FAIL, Jack Harry has still managed to create a sports media persona that is virtually unrivaled in Kansas City. Harry's acumen when it comes to making himself part of breaking sports stories is a big part of his success. When Carl Peterson was well into his demise, Harry picked a fight with the Chiefs President . . . As Peterson resigned, it seemed as if Harry had vanquished a foe.
Even better:
WHEN JACK HARRY MADE A PREDICTION REGARDING HERM'S CAREER AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMER DENVER COACH MIKE SHANAHAN COMING TO KANSAS CITY . . . HE EXPERTLY INSERTED HIMSELF (HEHE) INTO THE BIGGEST SPORTS STORY KANSAS CITY HAS SEEN IN MORE THAN A YEAR!!!
Yesterday morning, Harry's bold prediction didn't seem so wise . . . Now with Herm gone, Harry is already half right.
The rumor mill is still raging regarding Shanahan and a possible move to Kansas City. Check it:
Obviously, I don't care what happens to the Chiefs and the only reason I watch their games is to have something to talk about with the locals and indulge my predominant sense of Schadenfreude while laughing at the team's uncanny ability to pull defeat from the jaws of victory.
Nevertheless, I have great respect for Jack Harry's ability to put himself at the center of this story, at least in Kansas City. The fact is, his "reputation" isn't on the line and this maneuver only shows his expertise in gauging public interest.
Right or wrong, the guy earned a lot of share of mind in an otherwise boring time of year for local sports . . . If he turns out to be correct, the local sports community will have to smell his farts for at least a year . . . A wrong guess and it's only a bad staffing call on an otherwise unremarkable team during the off season. Bloggers would do well to consider Harry's deep understanding of the narratives that excite and interest media watchers.
Nevertheless, Kansas City's mediocrity will continue in both the sporting world and in the realm of civic affairs; in the meantime Jack Harry has enthralled audiences, created tension and entertained with only a few excited words.
"smell his farts for at least a year"
ReplyDeleteLOLZERS
Jack "Hairy Ass" is a washed up shill trying to make it as a reporter for another washed up UHF station. He still has a hard on for KCTV bouncing his old washed up ass off the tube. He has a scoop like Tony Botello. None.
ReplyDeleteKansas City's bloggers are sure mediocre so by all means keep contributing to that ethos.
ReplyDeleteSports people are so incredibly arrogant and jealous... like weather people. Harry's pretty unpopular among his young colleagues, the result of sports people having way too much macho competitiveness in their veins. I thought your piece was thoughtfully and well written, Tony.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to have objectivity and since you don't have a dog in the race, you saw it accurately, I think. I think sports sucks too but I do recognize a good reporter and Jack's a good one.
bleh
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to call downtown development a failure until condo prices drop to where even Tony could afford one.
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't for Rita giving Tony busfare, he couldn't make it downtown. That fucked up Prism is sitting on blocks.
ReplyDeleteTony, You gave me anal warts, the doctor said the sores AREN'T an allergic reaction to the asto glide lube.
ReplyDeleteLIAR!!!
Harry is one of the best, I don't think he is as calculating at Tony gives him credit for but TKC is right when he says that he brings a lot of excitement to local sports.
ReplyDeleteDid Tony even give you a reacharound? Probably not.
ReplyDeleteNo reach around, just the standard $50 and and extra $20 for calling him "Mr. Editor" Weird, I know.
ReplyDeleteHarry feasts on negativity and name calling. Sort of childish for a so-called professional. I predict he will get hit by a car someday or found in a trash dumpster.
ReplyDeleteTrust me on this... don't depend on BOTTOM LINE for forcasting much of anything media in this town.
ReplyDeleteI finally read his commentary about Jack's report that Shanahan might come to KC. It wasn't JACK who stuck his reputation on the line... according to Bottom Line's quote, Jack said sources were whispering this to HIM, and he put two CAVEATS of doubt in the story.
Jacks completely covered. Jack did what journalists should do, say what they're hearing and remind readers it wont be truth til it's announced, maybe Friday.
It's BOTTOM LINE who stuck his neck out by saying Jack has IN FACT stuck his career and rep on the line.
And this from a guy who supposedly makes his living teaching corporate execs how to dance when they give talking head?
The WSJ linked in this post has a great line:
ReplyDelete"Football triumphalism is a kind of civic cocaine"
Check it: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123214881023691891.html