Media and Sport

I have a major issue with sport people that think that they are too good to talk with the media. No one is important enough not to talk to the media. If it wasn't for us, these people wouldn't exist. The media put thier faces in the newspapers, voices on the radio and the whole package on television. When a sport person gets so important that they snub us, remember, there is always another person to fill the pages and airtime.

At the Nedbank Golf Challenge, for example, one of South Africa's top golfers walked right past the Outside Boradcast point, and we asked him if he would like to talk to the nation. He just kept on walking. Since then, this golfer is loosing out as a new breed of golfers from his very own trust, are making thier way up through the ranks. They are younger, better looking and more talented. WHo will remember the old golfer in five years time?

Another issue I have is sports people that have no idea how to talk to the media. I think that every sports person that makes it to the top levels of thier sport should be trained how to speak. So many times I have spoken someone and they just sound stupid. I realise that thay probably are. Let's face it, how much brains does it take to kick a soccer ball? My point is that I am sure that they don't want to sound stupid. Get someone to train them, not just on the field, but off it as well.