Newly hired Dodgers executive Steve Soboroff tore into Major League Baseball and Commissioner Bud Selig for their decision to seize day-to-day operations of the ballclub, calling the move “irresponsible.”Soboroff came to the aid of owner Frank McCourt, who recently appointed him vice chairman, by saying that the Dodgers were in good shape financially, pending MLB’s approval of a new media rights package with Fox.
“This is like having money in the bank and having somebody hold your ATM card,” Soboroff said. “The money is in the bank. The Fox deal is done. These actions are not allowing him to access money. That’s a lot different than saying he’s got financial problems.”
Soboroff also lambasted Selig’s delay in appointing a trustee for the club.
“To me, if you’re going to send somebody out here to take something over, you don’t write a letter that says, ‘Gee whiz, here’s all these problems with you and here’s everything else, but don’t worry, later on in the week we’re going to send somebody else out,’” Soboroff said. “You do it the same day…what are you supposed to do for four days?”
ESPN and the Los Angeles Times covered the event and their coverage differed in some ways.
ESPN’s headline was “Steve Soboroff rips Bud Selig.” This particular headline left much to be desired because it is assuming people know whom Steve Soboroff is and how he is connected to the Dodgers.
ESPN’s lead is a basic news lead, 33 words long, and identifies the who, what, when, and how. The nut graf expands on the lead, specifically Soboroff’s background and his exact thoughts on MLB’s takeover of the Dodgers.
The story includes quotes seven people in total, including Soboroff, Selig, General Manager Ned Coletti, and former manager Joe Torre.
The Los Angeles Times headline reads “Soboroff blasts takeover, defends McCourt.” Much like ESPN’s, this headline can be confusing to readers because the majority are probably not aware of Soboroff’s connection with the Dodgers.
The lead is 38 words long and gives the who, what, and why. The nut graf expands on the lead by telling the reader what Soboroff said.
The LA Times expands on ESPN’s story by adding that the Dodgers were prepared to offer their head security position to someone, but were forced to submit the name and wait for approval from MLB. In addition, the Times talked to a sports industry banker, who presented the many possible outcomes of MLB’s takeover.
The Los Angeles Times provided the most complete coverage of this event, trumping ESPN by providing additional information that makes the story complete.
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