So, to anyone that follows any other local sports teams in the area at all on nj.com previously, the following information is not shocking to you…but there may be some that don’t have the whole picture of what nj.com is all about.
As many others have said, it’s all about the clicks and stirring up controversy where there is none.
I have a friend that has had direct contact with the environment at Advance Media and in particular with Kevin Manahan, who is the Sports director at nj.com. No exaggeration, he was told point blank, we want stories that generate clicks and create controversy at all costs. It doesn’t matter how good a story you can submit on the QB battle or on how great Corey Schneider is playing or how it’s great to see David Wright back in the lineup…..what about the potential grade tampering? What about the friction between Brodeur and the Devils ownership? What about Wilmer Flores crying, how can we milk that for all it’s worth? The Jets are his wet dream, so you don’t need an example there. (Giants appear to be off limits since he use to work that beat and also the Giants are not spineless and would never give nj.com any access ever again if they pull that nonsense)
Bottom line…..I almost feel somewhat bad for Sarge and Duggan, because when they say “I’m just doing my job”, they really are, because if they don’t, they’ll be run out of town by Manahan and he’ll replace them with someone that will do what he wants even more…..he is the problem, and it’s not just for Rutgers, he’s an equal opportunity jerk that just feeds on creating chaos around him with no care for what the fallout may be. So if they have anyone willing to give them dirt from the inside, they are definitely going to run it, it’s what they are directed to do from up top.
So....what can we do?
As multiple people have said already....ignore them, do NOT give them any clicks by going to their site (forget about the sponsors)...it's really all we as the customers can do. If you are going to read their trash, just don't be shocked when you see these types of stories come up, and try not to react to them, they'll do everything they can to find allies both inside and outside Rutgers to continue the story for as long as possible to drum as many clicks as possible, even if they repeat the SAME STORY 10 different ways.
So....what can/should Rutgers do?
Rutgers needs to grow some backbone and comes at them with a unified front of no longer giving nj.com access, as this will continue until Manahan is replaced by someone that views “clicks at all costs” differently.
As many others have said, it’s all about the clicks and stirring up controversy where there is none.
I have a friend that has had direct contact with the environment at Advance Media and in particular with Kevin Manahan, who is the Sports director at nj.com. No exaggeration, he was told point blank, we want stories that generate clicks and create controversy at all costs. It doesn’t matter how good a story you can submit on the QB battle or on how great Corey Schneider is playing or how it’s great to see David Wright back in the lineup…..what about the potential grade tampering? What about the friction between Brodeur and the Devils ownership? What about Wilmer Flores crying, how can we milk that for all it’s worth? The Jets are his wet dream, so you don’t need an example there. (Giants appear to be off limits since he use to work that beat and also the Giants are not spineless and would never give nj.com any access ever again if they pull that nonsense)
Bottom line…..I almost feel somewhat bad for Sarge and Duggan, because when they say “I’m just doing my job”, they really are, because if they don’t, they’ll be run out of town by Manahan and he’ll replace them with someone that will do what he wants even more…..he is the problem, and it’s not just for Rutgers, he’s an equal opportunity jerk that just feeds on creating chaos around him with no care for what the fallout may be. So if they have anyone willing to give them dirt from the inside, they are definitely going to run it, it’s what they are directed to do from up top.
So....what can we do?
As multiple people have said already....ignore them, do NOT give them any clicks by going to their site (forget about the sponsors)...it's really all we as the customers can do. If you are going to read their trash, just don't be shocked when you see these types of stories come up, and try not to react to them, they'll do everything they can to find allies both inside and outside Rutgers to continue the story for as long as possible to drum as many clicks as possible, even if they repeat the SAME STORY 10 different ways.
So....what can/should Rutgers do?
Rutgers needs to grow some backbone and comes at them with a unified front of no longer giving nj.com access, as this will continue until Manahan is replaced by someone that views “clicks at all costs” differently.
