It is becoming more obvious every day that the NFL—and the Kansas City Chiefs— want to control the news media.
The creation of its own NFL TV Network and forcing all photographers to wear Canon-branded vests in order to cover games are just two examples of the league attempting to control members of the news media.
Now sources have revealed to Bottom Line Communications that the Chiefs did not appreciate a recent column (9/5) written by Kansas City Star columnist Kent Babb, and forced the McClatchy-owned paper to add an “Editor’s Note” to the column.
The Star declined to comment.
The note did not say anything in Babb’s column was incorrect, but the team felt clarifications and additions were needed.
“I guarantee this is something the Chiefs bitched about and the Star added,” noted a tipster to BLC.
In his column Babb had pointed out that the team has considerable room under the salary cap, and could have stocked up on more quality players now that injuries/ suspensions have become a reality.
“Instead, the Chiefs and Pioli cut coupons on defense, and the team again has millions left over,” wrote Babb. “The NFL’s players association lists the Chiefs at $26.6 million under the salary cap, second most in pro football; the league reports the Chiefs have only $16.3 million in unspent money, which would still be seventh most in the NFL.”
The Chiefs reportedly were not pleased with Babb’s facts. Sources said the team forced the newspaper to add this note to the end of Babb’s column:
Editor’s note: Despite being as much as $26.6 million under the salary cap, according to figures supplied by the NFL Players Association, the Chiefs rank first in the league in cash spending for defense and third for all players in 2012. Also, details reported in this column regarding cornerback Brandon Carr’s contract with the Dallas Cowboys omitted that he received a $10 million signing bonus as part of his five-year, $50.1 million deal, making his total earnings for 2012 $11.2 million.
It was revealed on this site that Babb will be leaving the Star for greener pastures at the Washington Post next month. This probably confirmed he made the correct decision.
BABB DESERVED SLAPPING
Babb got deservedly smacked down here.
The Chiefs ranked 9th in spending in 2011. Now they rank 3rd. They’re clearly spending money.
Babb’s argument that the Chiefs could have used their extra cap room to add better quality depth to the team is true. Had he left it at that, nothing he said would have left him open for rebuttal.
But he didn’t leave it at that. He outright lied that the Chiefs “haven’t come close” to the league’s spending median. With rankings of 9th and 3rd, they are well over the median the last two seasons.
He then suggested the Chiefs will have to spend more to reach the 89% spending minimum that takes effect next year. Another lie. Last year, when they ranked 9th, the Chiefs spent 99% of the cap amount in cash spending. That’s obviously well over 89%. This year, ranking 3rd, surely they’re well over 89% again. They could spend LESS money and still be over 89%.
This is especially glaring dishonesty on Babb’s part because The Star has spoken to Clark Hunt about this issue in the past, and Hunt accurately responded that the Chiefs have already been operating above the 89% minimum and that it won’t impact them at all.
Babb then referred to the Chiefs “putting a discounted product on the field”. Again, a dishonest claim knowing that the Chiefs have been among the league’s biggest spenders the last two seasons.
Finally, and most telling, Babb writes: “In August 2011, the Chiefs were $28.7 million under the cap. A year earlier, when there was no salary cap, they ranked next to last in spending.”
Notice the way he shifts from comparing cap space to spending. This shows that he’s intentionally being misleading. He’s aware of the Chiefs’ spending, but only cites it when referring to a season when they had a low payroll. He never once acknowledges their last two years of high spending. In regards to those years, he only cites cap space to fit his narrative of a “discounted product”.
It’s a surprising and unflattering look from Babb. Not the sort of final impression I’d want to leave.
CHIEFS HOMERS
The Star, as well as the local TV stations (TV 5 in particular)are such homies for the Chiefs. The Star appears to want to be Sporting News West; little/no coverage of local political actions but unrelentless promotion of sports.
CHIEFS CANNOT FORCE PAPERA quick look at the paper today (9/8) didn’t turn up the Editor’s Note referred to, so it must have been “hiding” from me. At any rate, to begin with, the Chiefs cannot force The Star to run an Editor’s Note. That is a decision the paper has to make, such a decision being made on the basis of a perceived need to add some clarity to the subject at hand.
If a mistake was made in the column because Babb’s information is, in fact, inaccurate, then the paper should be running a Correction and willingly at that. It’s a two-way street. If the NFL and the Chiefs want to play “hardball,” the paper is free to respond accordingly. The Chiefs aren’t the only game in town and I’m quite sure the area universities and colleges, especially the small ones, would welcome the additional coverage.
His column ran Wednesday. Technically the Chiefs cannot “force” the Chiefs to run an Editor’s Note. In the real world of journalism today they did. http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/05/3798740/chiefs-have-money-to-burn-and.html
WASTE OF TIME
professional & college football, What A WASTE of time and money, watching Grass grow is far more interesting than stupid football, what a nothing sport !!!