MLS vs. Social Media

Social MediaColorado Rapids: 11 game losing streak

Bio Colorado Rapids beat

reporter: Chris Bianchi (age 27)

Started covering Feb 2012 Boston University

graduate Meteorologist: full time Beat reporter: part-time Rapids website: Owned by

the MLS

Ethical Issues

Lack of ethical consideration regarding codes-Tweeting

Firing of Chris on the MLS’s behalf (Rapids pushed for his firing)

Stakeholders

• Chris Bianchi• Colorado Rapids• Fans

ArgumentsPro

Newsworthy Balanced journalism Fan frustration Learning experience

Con Team President Tim

Hinchey pushing for firing (betrayal)

No PR director: very dysfunctional media

DecisionChris Bianchi

Responded to tweet Stay critical but

truthful/accurate More specific about

message he was trying to send to fans/management

Tim Hinchey Hire a PR director Understanding of current

team situation Do not take criticism

personally Great friendship=Loyalty

AftermathChris Bianchi was fired 1 week later (Oct. 15,

2014)Bianchi is a full time meteorologist and covered

the rapids part timePublic criticism from fans and Sports Illustrated

soccer journalist Grant Wahl backing BianchiKeith Olbermann (1:25)

DiscussionJust how accountable can you hold a journalist

for posting on social media?How can we improve the use of social media

when covering sports?Should social media be filtered?

http://www.burgundywave.com/2014/10/22/7038643/keith-olbermann-tim-hinchey-worst-person-in-world

http://screamer.deadspin.com/former-colorado-rapids-reporter-team-pushed-to-get-me-1647752540

https://twitter.com/rapids_news• http://www.mlssoccer.com/author/Chris-Bianchi• Phone Interview with Chris Bianchi (March

20,2015)

Sources