Just Kidding. Be Careful what you text, say
Hawaii Coach Greg McMackin, Gilbert Arenas, and even President Obama have learned it the hard way.
Saying "just kidding" isn't going to cut it with the media and the public.
In the world of texting, emailing, picture phones etc we teach to our professional and college athlete clients you are always on the record. Especially when you think you are speaking in jest.
President Obama last fall was being prepped for a cable interview when he was asked about Kanye West's comments that Beyonce should have won a music award. Unaware that the tape was rolling and his microphone was "hot", he said West was a "jackass." He later tried to backtrack, saying he thought it was off the record and was kidding.
At a WAC media event, McMackin saw there were no cameras around and made a joke about Notre Dame football players. Trouble was, print reporters had their mini audio tape recorders and caught the comments, eventually landing them on the internet. The coach attempted to backpedal, saying he, too, was only "kidding." The comments live in You Tube infamy after his 30 day suspension by the school.
Arenas' gun troubles this past week and suspension announced Wednesday have been compounded by his complaint to reporters he was just "kidding" about previous statements he made about that and gambling. His defense has fallen on deaf ears.
Athletes, coaches and administrators leave themselves vulnerable when they fail to understand their audience and make some comments they perceive as sarcastic, humorous or satirical. While the people who actually hear AND see the remarks being made, they often lose that shield when they are printed in blogs, stories or text messages.
Our advice as a company which works extensively with corporate and athletic organizations is a simple one: if you don't want to see it on the Internet, in a newspaper or magazine; hear it on the radio or TV, DON'T SAY IT...or e-mail it, or text it. It's an expensive gamble that has the odds staked squarely against you.
Saying "just kidding" isn't going to cut it with the media and the public.
In the world of texting, emailing, picture phones etc we teach to our professional and college athlete clients you are always on the record. Especially when you think you are speaking in jest.
President Obama last fall was being prepped for a cable interview when he was asked about Kanye West's comments that Beyonce should have won a music award. Unaware that the tape was rolling and his microphone was "hot", he said West was a "jackass." He later tried to backtrack, saying he thought it was off the record and was kidding.
At a WAC media event, McMackin saw there were no cameras around and made a joke about Notre Dame football players. Trouble was, print reporters had their mini audio tape recorders and caught the comments, eventually landing them on the internet. The coach attempted to backpedal, saying he, too, was only "kidding." The comments live in You Tube infamy after his 30 day suspension by the school.
Arenas' gun troubles this past week and suspension announced Wednesday have been compounded by his complaint to reporters he was just "kidding" about previous statements he made about that and gambling. His defense has fallen on deaf ears.
Athletes, coaches and administrators leave themselves vulnerable when they fail to understand their audience and make some comments they perceive as sarcastic, humorous or satirical. While the people who actually hear AND see the remarks being made, they often lose that shield when they are printed in blogs, stories or text messages.
Our advice as a company which works extensively with corporate and athletic organizations is a simple one: if you don't want to see it on the Internet, in a newspaper or magazine; hear it on the radio or TV, DON'T SAY IT...or e-mail it, or text it. It's an expensive gamble that has the odds staked squarely against you.
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