Journalist “Hate” On Display
January 5th, 2013
Longtime readers here know Joe is a student and critic of all things Bucs football, and that includes how the team is viewed by national and local media, from opinion writers to ex-player talking heads to allegedly unbiased journalists.
So it was notable to Joe when Bucs beat writer Stephen Holder expressed “hate” for the way Team Glazer operates with media.
And it was a real stunner considering the reader/commenter, during a TampaBay.com live chat Friday, never asked Holder for his opinion on access to Team Glazer, nor did the reader/commenter offer his own opinion on that topic. Holder simply felt compelled to express a little “hate.”
Comment From George Steele: Has any reporter ever asked the Glazers whether they would admit that they were trying to run this team on the cheap the last few years. The whole “building through the draft” thing was obviously a ruse for them to spend as little money as possible. Once they went out and spent money on some top quality free agents this year we saw what an immediate difference it made. I think they are going to have a hard time filling the stadium for a while given the way they ran the team for so long.
Stephen F. Holder: I think I might phrase it a little differently if so, but I hear you. The Glazers, for the most part, don’t do interviews. And it’s not for a lack of us trying. I hate it as much as you do
So what does it mean or matter if a supposedly unbiased beat writer has true “hate” for an aspect of the team he or she covers? Joe’s not sure. But expressing it in a public forum without being prompted probably means the “hate” has reached a troubling level and could affect objectivity.
For the record, Team Glazer does interviews a few times a year in recent years, the next one likely being their traditional state-of-the-team extended sit-down at the NFL Owners meetings in March. Joe gets how his colleagues want more access, but Joe thinks there’s surely enough access to not invoke extreme emotions like “hate.”
January 5th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Imagine the lack of access he would have had if he had been critical or honest about the Bucs and the Glazer’s nefarious past.
January 5th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Glazer haters around every corner. Can’t blame these guys for keeping a low profile.
January 5th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
With all due respect, he didn’t say he hated the Glazers. he said he hated the fact that they don’t do interviews. Nothing wrong with either party.
There is definitely one aspect of my job that I hate but I am extremely happy with my job overall.
January 5th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Upon reading what was said and the context, I understand your alarm at the word “hate”, especially coming from someone who makes their living by expressing their thoughts via the written word, but I think you’re overreacting a little. I didn’t read any vehemence or venom in Holder’s words, just a frustration at something. Also, his answer and “hate” did indeed have something to do with answering the question, because he was defending not only not having an answer for the question, but answering any subsequent questions such as “Why haven’t you asked them?”.
January 5th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Political correctness police in the house, eh? Stuff like this is why it is difficult to get an honest opinion in this country. Holder says he “hates” that the Glazers don’t do interviews. So? I see what you wrote, and I understand the gist, but it seems rather petty since it was a question and answer live chat. Might as well water down everything if the guy can’t speak freely. Why tune in? I am sure this must be some sort of faux pas only professional media can truly appreciate.
January 5th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
What we’ve learned here is….EVERYONE hates the Greedy Glazer Gaggle (in my opinion)
January 5th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
Nitpicking for a story.
January 5th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
That’s not really fair. This whole site is about nitpicking everything about the Bucs. That’s why we read it.
All these beat writers love to go on radio and talk about how they’re objective and unbiased, but they slip up once in a while. This is one of those times. You wonder what goes on behind closed doors.
January 5th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
I think this is really an un-story. One innocent statement. He could have said just as easily, “I don’t like it any more than you do”… and nobody would be paying attention. It means the same thing either way. This really was scraping the bottom of the barrel for a topic.
January 5th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
off season (for us) non-story
January 5th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
I agree with Baz. This post actually comes across like Joe is trying to create a campaign to discredit Mr. holder. Especially after the little Twitter mini-battle between you, this does more to make me question Joe’s objectivity than Holder’s.
January 5th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
is it just me or does it seem like all media types tend to hold a grudge if they are not able to get the answers or inside scoop that they are desperately looking for from any person that has direct contact to the team they are covering. there are several players who have been painted in a bad light simply because they do not do interviews. That’s why most of the time you cant take the medias word for it. if the media has something against a player or team, for whatever reason, they will exploit their resources to spew negative towards them for personal reasons and are in know way professional about it, aka Tampa sports media. I for one am tired of that BS and I know most of you feel the same way. no one give a crap that your pissed off that you couldn’t do your interview, just stick with matters football related.
January 5th, 2013 at 5:14 pm
with the occasional interview or two, the Glazers have the right to live private lives if they choose to do so.
January 5th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
This is what I don’t even come close to understand.. A guy states he hates something does not mean he hates the person or the or the organization. I hate when the Bucs lose, doesn’t mean I hate the Bucs.. I just wish for the days when we could say what we mean and mean what we say without someone turning it into something its not…I understand what he(Holder) was talking about. I hate it too, but I still love the Bucs. I don’t like this article but I still love Joebucsfan..
January 5th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
So the glazers run this team and who do they have to answer to….nobody! Mind your own business just like the glazers are. Just be a fan and support them. They are doing great and I have been a fan a long time. Support support support. These writers are lame anyway anything they report is dirt. Joe your awesome man you keep it real keeping it up!
January 5th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
C’mon Rasta, Joe can’t let you go there. –Joe
January 5th, 2013 at 5:31 pm
Geez Joe, I expected some horrific comment from Holder. You made a mountain out of a mole hill here.
January 5th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Holder is a C rated journalist
January 5th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
As a buc fan I lov the glazers, they own the team got us great free agents, and have cap room to fix team , I just wish Dom was a little better at picking defensive players. GO BUCS
January 5th, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Hmmm,
Seems very smart of the Glazers to keep media around them to a minimum.
But this is def making alot out of nada.
January 5th, 2013 at 6:38 pm
Joe overreacting again.
Sorry Joe, but you seem to be constantly tougher on the Times writers than on the Trib. I hope I’m making up this bias…
January 5th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
No story here. The rambling Stephen Holder is put out that he is not given an audience when he feels he needs one.
January 5th, 2013 at 7:12 pm
This is hands down the worst thing I’ve ever read on JBF.
Better Joe fights with the pen, but this is equivalent to a sucker punch.
January 5th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
@BKNYfootballhead- “Sucker punch” that’s a real good one.
As Joe began this post, Joe writes regularly about perception of the Bucs from local and national media. A beat writer saying he has “hate” for Team Glazer’s approach to the media is worth noting. Sorry you think Joe ventured into some foreign, worthless territory. Joe didn’t
@Fatmosh – When Trib writers say and do controversial things, Joe is always pleased to write about them. Whether it’s Alan Dell or Ian Beckles, or whoever, Joe will go there if noteworthy. It’s not Joe’s fault the Trib writers stay on a more straight and traditional path.
@Bucsnutt – Joe’s not mounting any campaign against Holder. If Joe wanted to call Holder a douche, Joe would simply do that. Again, the “hate” is noteworthy when it comes from a beat writer. Fans can interpret as they wish.
January 5th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
@Joe
I’m not a fan of Holder myself, but this “hate” comment is hardly controversial. It appears half the commenters here agree, too.
It’s fun to see you take the occasional pot shot, but this story is pure trite.
Thanks though for giving us the proper forum to express our disdain for your occasional low-brow journalism, and an even bigger thank you for your prompt replies.
Btw, what happened to your “BSPN” expression? Did it just suddenly disappear once “ESPN” gave you some advertising dollars?
January 5th, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Holder is not a douche. He’s a dick. I say that because he’s arrogant and not very good at his job. I actually think he doesn’t like his job either.
January 5th, 2013 at 8:14 pm
“He could have said just as easily, “I don’t like it any more than you do”… and nobody would be paying attention. It means the same thing either way.”
Agreed
January 5th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
Joe this is exactly why your the Man. Knowing info like this has added years to my life. I knew something was wrong in the front office. We never picked up veterans or FA and it has hurt us.
How you ask? We should of been picking valuable veterans every since Marshawn ” BEASTMODE” Lynch was let go. NOW ITS TO LATE! All the other teams have been making power moves through FA. The Front office has been making Sour moves to save money.
All the good players we could of had, all got new contract on new teams. Cheap skates.
Thats where the problem starts and ends. Thanks for saving Sacbucs some money.
Ps. You fricking homers and seasoning ticket owners should feel stupid as i do. Why? WE GOT PLAYED FOR HARD EARN MONEY. Instead of spending that $150 on my only quarteback to take the bucs to superbowl Brad Johnson jersey. I could of treated a nerd to a hooker its more beneficial!
January 5th, 2013 at 10:40 pm
sacbucs,
you type like you have marbles in your mouth.
also, wtf. who buys a brad johnson jersey for $150? not sapp, lynch, brooks, barber, rice, alstott, pittman, meshawn johnson, but brad fricken johnson. was this a vikings jersey?
“All the good jerseys you could of had…”
thanks joe, for saving sacbucs money so he can get a new jersey. perhaps a danny gorrer or dan orlovsky.
January 5th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
It does not matter who it is ANY “Authentic” jersey is going to fetch you a hefty price and i’m assuming that is the kind of jersey he purchased.
That being said, I don’t understand why you rant as much as you do sometimes SacBuc lol
January 6th, 2013 at 1:20 am
Really? Joe…its the off season. We understand…a couple stories a day is more than enough. You are reaching here.
January 6th, 2013 at 4:19 am
prbuc,
i just think that other jerseys would be more appropos for the 2002 team, but that’s just me. his money his option. just like it is the glazer’s money and their option. he said he got played for his money when he knew before the season starts what free agents they had acquired.
January 6th, 2013 at 5:20 am
Pretty weak Joe…Just my opinion, but hey, you got me to read it and post a comment. Well played 🙂
January 6th, 2013 at 11:55 am
Joe just doesn’t like Holder after Holder made a negative reference to him earlier this year…if my memory serves correct.
I think making this little post was pretty lame, Joe. I had to waste my time to type this, sorry.
January 6th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
What is the point of this story? Digging much?
January 7th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Sad excuse for a story. Just because you dislike Holder, your misinterpreting his comment and putting words in his mouth.
Sad excuse for a comment. There is no misinterpretation here whatsoever. And Joe didn’t put any words in his mouth. Please don’t make stuff up. –Joe