Over on AOL Fanhouse, Eric McErlain has read all about the Islanders Blog Box in action and he’s still not impressed.
All throughout the SI.com piece, you’ll see claims about how this “experiment” — one that comes complete with a couple of academics from a university in Pennsylvania who ought to be ashamed of themselves — is some sort of incredible innovation in sports media.
That’s actually the last thing that this deserves to be called. Instead, we ought to call it for what it is — a glorified fan club. That this farce is sponsored by Eklund, the least credible voice in sports blogging today, only makes the joke complete.
Don’t get me wrong, as I don’t blame the Islanders fans who managed to win a spot in the box for going along for the ride (though I’m curious why a blog like Islanders Army, one with an established track record, couldn’t be found a place at the table). After all, who wouldn’t want a chance to go to the game and talk to the players? But the folks that are involved need to know that they’re being used by Eklund and the Islanders, and in the process, doing more damage to the credibility of sports blogging than they can understand.
I have to agree with Eric on three points
- The Blog Box is not a press pass, nor is it some monumental moment in sports media.
- Eklund is a tool.
- How come we’re not there?
Other than that I have to disagree. I posted some comments over on AOL Fanhouse, copied here below. There is some good discussion about this on the Fanhouse site in the comments as several other bloggers (some with press passes and some without) have chimed in.
Why can’t there be room for both? I don’t want to go to an Islanders game and leave my jersey home. I’m a fan first and a writer (if you can even call it that) second. Heaven forbid the Islanders recognize that and have two sets of rules and access for each group. Eric, if you want a big boy’s press pass from the Islanders I’m sure they would give it to you, you just have to ask. I’m well aware of the Blog Box rules and I’m OK with them which is why I applied for the Blog Box and not a normal press pass. Some access is better than no access, right?
You bloggers with full access press passes are acting exactly like the traditional media did when you got your passes - acting like the Blog Box is some kind of personal insult to your own work.
There are too many blogs out there to lump them all together. Some like Eric are writers first, fans second but I think the majority of the bloggers out there are fans first, and writers second. The Islanders have recognized this and established a clear distinction and rules for the two groups to co-exist.
Is it just me or is the thing that annoys people the most about the Blog Box is the whole “wearing your team’s jersey in the locker room” issue? Give me a break.
Man was it crowded at the Coliseum on Saturday. 16,234 fans, 11 bloggers, the regular press, and then extra writers on hand to write about just the Blog Boxers. The Islanders got exactly what they wanted from the Blog Box “experiment” - lots of online and traditional press coverage about the team and hockey. One of those extra writers covering the Blog Box was Richard Deitsch from Sports Illustrated, his article about Saturday night is now posted online. Here are some excerpts:
The first night of Botta’s grand experiment consisted of 11 bloggers, two reporters covering the bloggers, and a pair of professors from East Stroudsburg University who are observing and interviewing the bloggers as part of a year-long study. “What the Islanders have done is officialize what a blogger is,” said B.D. Gallof, the author of The Bouncing Puck: Ravings of an Islander’s Blogger. “They put a name to it. The other teams have not. They have been wishy-washy. Sometimes bloggers get access. Sometimes they don’t. That’s where we are really pioneers. The officialization of what’s going on between the Internet and fans.
Most of the bloggers average 40 to 100 hits per day, but you can bet those numbers will go up during the season. The Islanders received more than 200 applications for a spot in the blog box — including 120 in the first three days — after they posted the announcement on their website. The team asked for writing samples and had applicants answer a series of questions. Botta said they were looking for quality writers with a passion for the team.
“This was my way to express my enthusiasm for a team that I felt has not been getting enough coverage,” Dick said. “What fans in the NHL can say we got to cover our home team? I’m not going to say we are media. But we are almost media.” Gallof, a graphic designer, is one of the better-known hockey bloggers. He has written extensively on Hockey Buzz.com. and was impressive in taking the lead during the inquisition of Campoli.
Never too modest to toot our own horn here, we averaged about 100 hits/day in the middle of the summer when we were updating 1x a week (if that often). Our stats have shot up to about 300+ visits/day since the start of the season. Toot-toot!
“I felt somewhere between a fan and media,” said Ken Rosenblatt, a 34-year-old writer/editor who is the proprietor of the Islanders Outsider blog. “It was like we were special guests in some way. It wasn’t just like being a fan.”
Indeed, the group was a hybrid of ardent supporter and civic journalist. Many of the bloggers had writing backgrounds, but most had never been in a pro locker room. Certainly, they dressed differently from members of the press. Four of the bloggers wore Islanders jerseys, Karl proudly carried an orange purse with the team’s logo on it, and all were encouraged to cheer or shout if they wanted. Botta said the Blog Box will be open for every home game this season and that he expects it will be at capacity on some nights while other games will draw just a handful.
The Islanders insist they won’t censor the bloggers. “The only censorship is nothing profane,” Botta said. “If they want to go off on a trade or a signing we make, they will. Thankfully, the team is owned by a person [Charles Wang] and run by a general manager [Garth Snow] enlightened enough to understand this is a good thing. Hockey and the Islanders need people talking and writing about it.”
F&#K!
“It was pretty much what we expected,” said Botta, who offers an insider’s view (albeit through dark blue, orange and white-colored glasses) on his NYI Point Blank blog. “These are good people. We didn’t do background checks, but we’re fairly confident none of them have records. You could tell some were very comfortable coming downstairs after the game, some were a bit nervous. I found a lot of joy in seeing how much some of them really appreciated being part of it.”
The Blog Box members acquitted themselves well on Saturday. They were smart and impassioned. A couple of plucky souls asked pointed questions of Campoli, including whether he was worried about losing ice time to Bryan Berard, a free-agent defenseman who is expected to be signed after a training camp invite/try-out. The recaps the following day were an interesting mix of fandom and reportage. “I thought their questions were good,” Campoli said. “Very educated. It was just like another interview from a professional writer.”
In all seriousness, it sounds like the Blog Boxers came prepared, made the most out of their special access, and managed not to embarrass themselves or the Islanders organization. Despite all the front office shenanigans and blogosphere jokes the team, the Islanders marketing and promotions team continues to innovate. Like the Ice Girls, perhaps in a few years we will see Blog Boxes in many of the NHL arenas and these lucky 11 fans/bloggers can say they were the first.
Blog-fever has infected the Nassau Coliseum. In addition to regular fans blogging in the Blog Box and asking post-game questions, two Islanders staffers are now blogging for the team.
Chris Botta, NYI Media Relations VP is running the NYI Point Blank blog, while Corey Witt, NYI Media Relations Coordinator is running the NYI Media Blog. Both are bringing an even closer look at the Islanders to fans reading their blogs.
Sadly, it looks like NHL Hall of Famer Mike Bossy has hung up his blogging skates for this season.
Psst, I think this blogging thing could be HUGE! Best get in now before……Whoops! Too late. I think the only person over there not blogging is Sparky the Dragon.
Wish I could give you some firsthand impressions from the Blog Box, but apparently Islanders Army isn’t cool enough. Back on September 20th, the Islanders announced the inaugural members of the Blog Box. Despite specifically mentioning Islanders Army and The View From Section 317 when the Islanders started taking Blog Box applications, neither of those sites were selected. In the case of The View From Section 317 there was a good reason why - Gary didn’t apply. In the case of us, we DID apply and we still didn’t get picked.
Instead the Islanders picked 12 bloggers, at least 4 of which weren’t even blogging last season, and picking one blogger who lives in Florida and probably won’t be attending too many games. Makes sense, right? To be fair, there were some good choices - there is no denying Dee Karl’s passion for the Islanders at Unique perspectives from 7th Woman. Also kudos to The Tiger Track and Okposo.net for their focus on the future of the Islanders. The Long Distance Islander despite being in Florida, brings a unique perspective about the team and I have no problems with the Islanders promoting his blog, but I do have a problem with saving a seat (and free pretzels) for him in the Blog Box.
With my sour grapes out of the way, let’s get see what the Blog Boxers thought of the experience…
Islanders 360
Immediately after the game, those of of lucky enough to be contributing to the NYI Blog Box were escorted from our seats above Section 201 down to the Isles tunnel. That feeling in and of itself was surreal. I’d been in there once before, but never with the buzz of a just concluded game still in the air. For a hockey fan, it was a great experience. In the short walk to Ted Nolan’s press conference room, we got see DP riding the stationary bike while enjoying some playoff baseball on the TV, Bergenheim and Sutton chatting to some friends and family, and equipment being shuttled out for the Sabres.
Islanders Outsider
So what does a Blog Box look like? Inconspicuous it was not. The Blog Box was formed by a series of high tables and high stools on top of risers, all backed by a giant NYI Blog Box banner. We each had an assigned seat with power outlets available. The team also provided us with game notes, media notes, the NHL’s daily stats packet, and a packet of all the press clips that were relevant to the game.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet my fellow bloggers. The Islanders really selected a quality group of dynamic people. Also joining us in the Blog Box were Richard Deitsch of SI.com and Tripp Mickle of Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal. In an exciting twist to the debut of the live Blog Box, these gentlemen were in attendance to write stories on, well, us. It was fun to be interviewed and very interesting to get the perspectives of seasoned pros on what we were doing. I’m looking forward to reading their pieces and will certainly link them here when they are published.
Greetings From Islander Country
Chris Botta brought in Chris Campoli for us to interview. He stood, facing 12 bloggers while wearing blue sweats, a blue long sleeved athletic shirt, and porous black moccasins. After overcoming initial reticence, we began asking him questions about the seemingly continuous poor treatment of the team from referees, his perspective on the new jerseys, his thoughts about the uncertainty of Berard hanging over a seemingly cohesive team, and his confidence looking ahead to the rest of the season after already contributing so much offensively in the first 2 games.
Unique Perspectives of the 7th Woman
1) The Blog Box idea is so innovative that the 12 panel members were the ones interviewed by three different venues. The Islander organization has never reached out to the fans in as many ways as they are this season. Give them credit where credit is due! (And the blog guys are all pretty nice guys too!)
3) The new atmosphere in the Coliseum was noticeable in a 100 ways. It’s not just the paint, it’s the feeling that starts from the outdoor pic nic area all the way down to the ice.
7) One reporter commented that the bloggers “….will put us out of business soon.” I think they’re nervous. And they should be!
9) Chris Campoli can carry on a press conference even in long johns and seem comfortable. Ted was decidedly serious Saturday night, behind the bench and in the press room.
The Bouncing Puck: Ravings of an Islander’s Blogger
For, this game wasn’t just about the Islanders and another over Buffalo. This game, not that you’d know it from TV…was also about us, the bloggers. The Islander’s ‘officialized’ the blogger this season. And we, among the many others who are doing their things, and not at the game, we are shouldering the future. This is a tremendous weight because there are those who find it interesting and unique. Others who are threatened and who want to see us fail. And others who dismiss us, at their own risk.
The sport world has changed because the wall between fan and sport has fallen. And in it was a tremendous and unique moment where we became the story last night. As I tried to blog about the game, I was interviewed several times. A weird dynamic, let me tell you.
IslesBlogger.com
I know its 2 A.M. and everyone is probably saying - Mike, why are you still up? To give you some perspective - I am still on a high from my experiences tonight, and there is no way I can sleep just yet. Chris Botta, Corey Witt and the rest involved really did right by us tonight, even though I did not have a seat in the actual blog box (My own fault…..).
I will however say this - I enjoyed meeting my fellow bloggers, and it was great speaking to Richard Deitch of Sports Illustrated and also Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Journal. Thank you both for your insight and advice, it is truly priceless!
Okposo.net
You see, last night was the first-ever behind-the-scenes tour for New York Islanders Blog Box members. Being that this blog is a charter member of that new and innovative program, we and our fellow bloggers were led on an all-access tour of the bowels of the Coliseum. We visited the lockerroom (smaller than expected), spoke with on-air personality Deb Kaufman (shorter than expected), and were granted access to Chris Campoli and Ted Nolan for unrestricted questioning (cooler than expected). In all it was a great night and many thanks go to Deb, Chris, and Isles execs Chris Botta and Corey Witt for having the foresight to make this happen.
Tiger Track
It was such a pleasure meeting all the bloggers tonight. They were all what I expected…very friendly, down-to-earth guys that love hockey and love doing what we are credentialed to do. It was truly a unique experience tonight, as I’ve never done anything that seemed to have garnered so much attention. Richard Deitch of Sports Illustrated and the Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Journal were following us around and interviewing us, and East Stroutsburg University will be doing a year-long study on us! My thanks to Richard and Tripp for their help and advice after the game! I had to look around the Coliseum at one point during the game and had to say to myself “Wow…”
A sellout crowd of 16,234 fans welcomed the Islanders home to start the 2007-08 NHL season last night and were treated to an exciting 3-2 Islanders victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Mike Comrie continued his hot start to the season with another 2 goals, including the game winner in the third period. Comrie was named #1 star of the game for the second night in a row.
With the beautiful October weather, the Nassau Coliseum parking lot was crowded nice and early yesterday. I showed up a little later than expected around 4pm and there were already hundreds of cars there. Free parking too, as the booths weren’t manned until sometime after 5pm. Footballs, hockey pucks, and beers were flying across the lot. If anyone doubts the Islanders fan base either in numbers or dedication, yesterday was an excellent example of how strong it is. Fans seem to like the role of the underdog, and that no one is giving the Islanders a chance this season (again). Everyone was really excited for the start of hockey season again, especially after Friday night’s win.
The Isles started the game slowly having to kill 3 penalties in the first period. On the third one, Buffalo’s Jaroslav Spacek scored on a one timer from the point with a lot of traffic in front. Chris Campoli tied it up in the second with his second goal of the season, a powerplay goal. Buffalo ended the night 1 for 5 on the PP, and the Isles 1 for 3. The game was tighter defensively and a little chippier than Friday night’s game with a few scrums and face washes throughout the game.
Third period…Comrie time! Under two minutes into the period, Guerin comes up the left side with Comrie trailing. I think Guerin was trying to snap a shot off but it deflected right to Comrie coming down the middle of the slot. Comrie made a couple of stickhandling moves and then sent a backhander at Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller. Miller slid along the ice but the puck went right through the 5-hole to give the Islanders their first lead of the night. About 6 minutes later, Guerin banks one off the boards in the Isles defensive end that somehow springs Comrie all alone in the Buffalo zone. He had to go deep into the Buffalo zone to scoop up the puck so he came in on Miller on a bad angle and Miller made the save. Fedotenko followed up the play, corralled the puck behind the net and then found Comrie alone in front for goal number 4 on the season.
Buffalo was pressing hard in the 3rd with 17 shots in the period. DiPietro played awesome last night with a lot of big saves. Jochen Hecht scored for the Sabres with about 6 minutes to make it 3-2, but the Isles defense held on for the win.
The Ol’ Barn looked pretty good inside with a new fresh coat of orange, blue and white paint on the walls. The smoking/extra bathrooms section is now an outdoor patio area with some lawn chairs, flat screen TV’s and a couple of bars. It was great last night with the warm weather, but I’m not sure how popular it will be come December. The Islanders host the Capitals on Monday afternoon and then the Rangers on Wednesday night. 2-0! What a great start to the season! Go grab Comrie in your FHL pools now if you haven’t already!
Highlights from NHL.com
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After the success of last season’s “Select-A-Seat” Open House, the Islanders are running the event again tonight from 6-8:30pm at the Coliseum. Meet some Islanders old and new, check out the locker room, and then pick out some season tickets - it’s an event/experience I highly recommend. Heck, I recommend going just for the chance at free Van Halen tickets!
The Islanders are hosting a Select-A-Seat Open House on Tuesday, October 2 from 6-8:30 pm at Nassau Coliseum. Fans coming to look at seat locations for full or partial season ticket packages will not just have the best available seats shown to them by an Islanders ticket representative, but also enjoy the following:
* Tour the Islanders’ locker room at Nassau Coliseum
* Special surprise Islanders player appearances
* Chances to win autographed Islanders merchandise and tickets to upcoming Coliseum shows, including Van Halen, Disney On Ice – High School Musical and WWE!
You can get Islanders partial season ticket plans with as few as 7 games. There are also 14 game and 21 game plans if you need more Orange and Blue in your life.
From the NYI Media Blog run by Corey Witt, New York Islanders Media Relations Coordinator, here are 5 of the 10 new things you’ll find at the Coliseum this season. Click over to Corey’s blog to see the whole list.
1) DP’s new pads – Ricky re-designed the goalie pads he’s worn for the last season and half.
2) Team Apparel – From hats to shirts to pucks, you’ll find all new NYI apparel from the 2007-08 season.
3) All White Dashers – What now? The NHL has a new rule that all dasher board signage must have a white background. Everything will look a bit crisper on the boards now.
4) New Halo Graphics – The NYI Game Ops. crew designed the graphics for penalties and whistles.
5) New Jersey’s – The Islanders will wear blue tonight and it’ll give most fans the first opportunity to see them in game action.
There is one glaring oversight by Corey - it was reported and confirmed on the Islanders Fan Yahoo Group that the Chicken Dance has returned to the Nassau Coliseum! Apparently someone finally convinced Wang that “suck” is not really a four letter word.
Dada dada dada da, dada dada dada da, the Rangers suck!
Who doesn’t love goalie fights? More later on the pre-season mayhem at the Coliseum last night.
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Who doesn’t love free Islanders schwag? Hats, T-Shirts, bobbleheads and more. There are four different hat nights, which means four chances for an Islander player to net a hat trick and make it rain like Pac-Man Jones in Vega$. Hat Tricks on free hat night are the best!
ISLES vs. BUFFALO SABRES
Saturday, October 6, 2007 @7PM
OPENING NIGHT
MAGNETIC SCHEDULE, COURTESY OF GLOBAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES - ALL FANS
ISLES vs. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Monday, October 8, 2007 @ 2PM
KIDS’ OPENING DAY
DIPIETRO YOUTH REPLICA JERSEY - ALL KIDS
ISLES vs. NEW YORK RANGERS
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 @ 7PM
ISLANDERS MEAN BUSINESS
ISLES vs. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Saturday, October 20, 2007 @ 7PM
FIREFIGHTER APPRECIATION NIGHT
COLLECTIBLE HAT (1 OF 3), COURTESY OF FOX SPORTS NEW YORK - FIRST 10,000 FANS
ISLES vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Saturday, October 27, 2007 @ 7PM
LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION NIGHT/HALLOWEEN
COLLECTIBLE HAT (2 OF 3), COURTESY OF FOX SPORTS NEW YORK - FIRST 10,000 FANS
ISLES vs. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Saturday, November 3, 2007 @ 7PM
AL ARBOUR NIGHT, #1,500
MINI REPLICA BANNER, COURTESY OF DAVIS VISION - ALL FANS
ISLES vs. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Saturday, November 10, 2007 @ 7PM
MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT
COLLECTIBLE HAT (3 OF 3) - FIRST 10,000 FANS
ISLES vs. MONTREAL CANADIENS
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 @ 7PM
ISLANDERS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION NIGHT
ISLES vs. BOSTON BRUINS
Saturday, November 24, 2007 @ 7PM
TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN NIGHT
T-SHIRT, COURTESY OF MR. JAY APPLIANCES AND TV - ALL KIDS
ISLES vs. ATLANTA THRASHERS
Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ 7PM
TOWN OF OYSTER BAY NIGHT
MIKE SILLINGER MINI-BOBBLEHEAD, COURTESY OF BORO RECYCLING - FIRST 10,000 FANS
ISLES vs. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Saturday, December 22, 2007 @ 7PM
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
ISLES vs. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Saturday, December 29, 2007 @ 7PM
TOWN OF BABYLON NIGHT
KNIT HAT - FIRST 10,000 FANS
ISLES vs. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Saturday, January 19, 2008 @ 7PM
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD NIGHT
BILL GUERIN MINI-BOBBLEHEAD - COURTESY OF ALLSTATE - FIRST 10,000 FANS
ISLES vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Monday, January 21, 2008 @ 2PM
LONG ISLAND HOCKEY FEST
ISLES vs. ATLANTA THRASHERS
Saturday, February 16, 2008 @ 7PM
RICK DIPIETRO BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT
RICK DIPIETRO MINI-BOBBLEHEAD, COURTESY OF GEICO - FIRST 10,000 FANS
ISLES vs. SAN JOSE SHARKS
Monday, February 18, 2008 @ 2PM
KIDS’ DAY, TOO
PUCK BANK, COURTESY OF NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANK- ALL KIDS
ISLES vs. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Saturday, March 1, 2008 @ 2PM
FAN APPRECIATION DAY
TEAM POSTER, COURTESY OF VALTECH - ALL FANS
ISLES vs. FLORIDA PANTHERS
Sunday, March 2, 2008 @ 3PM
CORE OF THE FOUR
The Islanders’ most famous fan is in the news again, this time she’s being auctioned off for charity. Right now $1,600+ will get you two Islanders home game tickets with Christie Brinkley sitting by your side, all for the benefit of the NY Coalition for Healthy School Food.
The auction ends Thursday, so start checking your couch for change, and get your bids in. The NY Coalition for Healthy School Food is running a whole series of “celebrity auctions” to raise money, check them all out here.
This package includes VIP tickets for two to a 2007/2008 home game.
PRE-GAME:
Visit the Alumni suite
Tour the Press Box
Tour the locker room
Meet/Greet with Sparky the Dragon- the team mascot
Meet/Greet with the Ice Girls
IN-GAME:
“High Five” the players as they leave the locker room and head back to the ice after either the 1st or 2nd period of play.
POST-GAME:
Meet/Greet with a current player of Christie’s/client’s choice.
Take advantage of this once in a life time opportunity to see the New York Islanders with Christie Brinkley!
[Update] Less than 24 hours to go and a night with the Isles and Christie is now up to $2,750!!
