The LA Times is Pure Garbage

Go ahead and click the link. It won't take you to the miserable LAT and I won't give you the link to the Times, either. There is a method to my madness.

As you know, Ed O'Bannon recently filed a class action suit (he is the lead plaintiff, I believe) against the NCAA because he believes that they are raking in millions of dollars without compensating college players who are the "stars" of the old games they show on TV. This topic, as well as the suit against EA Sports, has generated, IMHO, some extremely interesting discussions here on BN and elsewhere. It's a truly interesting topic and I think a lot of us are interested in how these suits turn out.

The LAT recently reported on Ed O's suit and published a letter today which followed the story. Here's the letter, in full (again, no link for you, my friends):

Game over, Ed

Ed O'Bannon is just another washed-up athlete looking for a free ride.

Maybe if O'Bannon had studied and earned a degree, instead of using UCLA to hone his mediocre basketball skills, he might have a high-paying job instead of selling used cars in Nevada.

But I guess it's easier to file a lawsuit and hope the NCAA will settle than get up every morning like the rest of us to go to work.

John Mark
Newport Beach

Let's get the obvious out of the way first.

First, the author is likely a Trojie (note the privileged NB address) and he's also ignorant (sorry for the redudancy).

Second, Ed O didn't have "mediocre basketball skills." My memory is fading but I seem to recall he did pretty well in a certain NCAA tournament in 1995 and was recognized for somethinig mroe than "mediocre" skills at the conclusion of the final game of that tournament.

Third, I believe Ed eventually obtained his degree from UCLA.

Fourth, I am pretty confident he does "get up every morning like the rest of us" and goes to work. He has a job, Mr. Totally-Off-the-Mark.

But why, in the name of God, would the stinking LAT publish a letter which doesn't comment on the merits of the suit (which is an interesting topic) and instead it elects to publish a letter attacking Ed O personally by someone with no command of any facts? I've given you the link to the Rivals.com column for a little balance and relief here.

This idiotic letter literally ruined my morning and made me write this rant. And I am writing the LAT over this and you should, too. Normally, I let the crap in the paper roll right off of me. But this is outrageous.

almost 3 years ago Barnes2JJ 13 comments 0 recs |

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Comments

Just have to shake my head

It’s clear they have absolutely no leadership right now in their sports section. It’s all helter skelter. You will get some decent nuggets of news (like what I just highlighted on the front page) and then … they ruin all of that by publishing garbage like that.

They are completely tonedeaf and often just appear to be ignorant, which is crazy considering it’s their JOB (they get paid for it) to report news with substance.

by Nestor on Jul 25, 2009 8:59 AM PDT reply actions

Have to disagree.

they have lots of leadership. Unfortunately their leadership chooses to tow the party (SC) line, diminish their athlete’s transgressions, ignore the obvious and instead, attack UCLA and it’s family members at the slightest provocation.

It’s a lot like FOX coverage in most respects.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jul 25, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Everyone reading this who has a twitter account

Please retweet this:

RT @BruinNation @LATimessports publishes garbage, prints/posts disgraceful letter smearing Bruin legend Ed O’Bannon http://bit.ly/DR65D

If we can generate whole bunch of retweets it will humiliate them publicly for publishing this nonsense.

by Nestor on Jul 25, 2009 9:11 AM PDT reply actions

LOL

Oh good, lets all listen to what some Newport Beach trust fund baby has to say about someone else getting a free ride. I’m sure he has a ton of credibility on the issue.

by Tydides on Jul 25, 2009 9:20 AM PDT reply actions

I think

we can manage to not attack the writer of the letter in the exact same manner he attacked Ed (based on pure assumption that we cannot prove)

by mdjohns4 on Jul 26, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Nah

I’ll say what I want about the writer of this nonsense.

by Tydides on Jul 26, 2009 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Nonsense it may be

but you take a hit in credibility if by using a similar line of arugmentation

by mdjohns4 on Jul 26, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, no.

This isn’t a complicated issue and I’m not advancing any argument. The LAT is trash and this writer is an idiot. Both entities have provided more than adequate proof of this by themselves. I’m just piling on. If you think less of me for it, well, to be honest, I don’t care.

by Tydides on Jul 26, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions

One fact I can confirm.

I was at the UCLA graduation when Ed (and Tyus and George) received their degrees in history. They graduated the same year as my sister. So unless the grad walk was just for show, Ed has his degree in history from the greatest university on the planet.

Now onto why the Times would print this trash. Because thats what the media does now. Throw bombs, and get out of the way. Intelligent debate takes a back seat to ad hominem attacks.

Another reason I’m glad I cancelled my home delivery!

by theyud on Jul 25, 2009 9:26 AM PDT reply actions

Perhaps

If what you say is true about his graduation then perhaps Ed O’B should consider a second lawsuit asserting libel and naming Mark and the LAT as co-defendents.

by OldSage on Jul 25, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Duh

The LAT is a big time joke. Don’t forget, their own kind (well, in theory, because in reality, the LAT could never come close to the NYT), blasted them for being a joke, telling their readership that BN was the superior source for, get this, news.

by Bellerophon on Jul 25, 2009 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

Most Ironic of all

Maybe if O’Bannon had studied and earned a degree, instead of using UCLA to hone his mediocre basketball skills, he might have a high-paying job instead of selling used cars in Nevada.

But I guess it’s easier to file a lawsuit and hope the NCAA will settle than get up every morning like the rest of us to go to work.

This is so easy, it’s like knocking down ten pins. So, in the first paragraph he accuses Ed O of selling used cars and in the second of not working at all. Second, I’m pretty sure Ed was selling new cars and regardless what he was selling, he can hardly be blamed for the current economic crisis, which no doubt played a role in his returning to basketball to make a living. And finally, how completely typical (and hypocritical) of a Trojan to attack Ed O for seeking to avoid making an honest living when A) Ed is clearly making an honest living and B) Their own players are robbing people rather than making an honest living.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jul 25, 2009 3:41 PM PDT reply actions