Passion & Opinions drives a sport’s popularity

Tim Worner CEO Seven West Media photo Facebook

Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner once told me something along these lines,

“You have to hire who your audience want to see and listen to, not what you want.

“Someone who appeals buts also divides”

At the time I think we were discussing the ratings for the mega-popular channel seven program that has made the network millions upon millions My Kitchen Rules and its main man Pete Evans.

Evans seems an ‘out there’ type of fella with some weird beliefs and opinions with millions believing he is a ‘madman’ while others think he is a ‘new-age’ thinker with some wonderful insights into many things.

One thing for sure is he attracts a big audience wherever he goes.

Some watch him because they like him while others watch so they can get offended and then blow up and attack him and the show.

Hang with me I am getting there.

Let’s go to AFL.

Imagine if every broadcaster was like Bruce McAvaney, and as greater broadcaster as Bruce is and with no disrespect whatsoever I doubt the audience would be as passionate and invested in the sport if everything was special. To appreciate Bruce you need the Brian Taylor’s, Caroline Wilson’s and Mark Robinson’s who drive our passion as we jump to agree with them while others will jump to attack their opinions. They divide us but they also unite us as we as an audience switch sides as to what best suits our passion or opinion.

In rugby league media there is Phil Gould and Phil Rothfield who are forthright with their opinions and by doing so attract widespread criticism and abuse but it’s a big reason why many watch channel 9’s broadcast of rugby league and why fans read The Daily Telegraph. A great sign of their popularity is when you ask a footy fan about both of them. You will often get a tirade of abuse but the fan knows everything Gould has said and everything Rothfield has written.

Mark ‘Spud’ Carroll looks as comfortable on TV as Tony Abbott would at a gay wedding but I enjoy listening to him as he says it as it is without the worry that 99% of commentators have which is they may offend someone.

When commentators and journalists broadcast their opinions without fear or favour they connect with audiences and drive passion and from there they drive the sport’s popularity and appeal. It that’s passion or if you like that  ‘anger’ or ‘love’ that then entices those on the outskirts and even those not yet connected with the sport to become involved.

In Sydney racing media it desperately misses my old man Kenny who was and still is the most popular racing media person as he spoke for those who didn’t have a voice.

He was often described as the ‘voice of the punter’ you know that group that funds the racing industry?

Thankfully Max Presnell is still around.

I wish The Australian’s Patrick Smith wrote about racing everyday as he is a man who has opinions and isn’t afraid to voice them. I don’t agree with Smith all the time and in years gone past he’s even had a crack at me but I enjoy reading his articles as he is a true journalist.

Unfortunately Smith writes about all sports and racing only gets a run every now and then but as spring approaches he writes racing more often.

Richard Freedman is a very good media person who understands media and knows what he can say that will rile the audience but with Richard now back as a full time trainer he has to be careful as he is now governed by certain rules meaning his opinions have become less and without much ‘punch’.

Racing.com made the best move in its existence when they employed former star jockey Shane ‘Billy Idol’ Dye on its broadcast. It was a breath of fresh air and I loved his forthright opinions and knowledge as well as Shane being an outstanding media talent.

The bagging Shane copped from sections of social media during his stint on the racing broadcast should have been the signal to the network to sign him on a more regular basis.

He divided opinions and he upset a few within the sport, outstanding.

Some jockeys were apparently filthy on Shane’s appraisals of their rides which made for wonderful television.

Kerry Packer would have had his signature before he left the set.

It now seems racing and the media want to please those in officialdom, the trainers association, jockeys group, breeders and a select few in a click on social media.

Every sport needs a Bruce McAvaney and a Ray ‘Rabbits’ Warren someone who is brilliant at their job and is often seen as the sports ‘goodwill ambassador’ and the voice of reason but we need the Caroline Wilson’s, Mark Robinson’s, Phil Gould’s and Rothfield’s and company but as we head into what will without doubt be a fabulous spring carnival which mainstream media commentator is going to drive our passion and divide opinions as he or she speaks their mind without looking over their shoulder to see if they are going to offend someone or group?

 

 

By Richie Callander

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