I understand that the Apple iPhone buzz is huge, but when Peter Gammons - one of my heroes - is talking and writing about it, something seems wrong. While every news outlet has been reporting on the iPhone launch, ESPN seems to be taking it over the top. Last night while watching Sunday Night Baseball (Twins vs. Tigers), the great Jon Miller and Joe Morgan began talking about the iPhone, then went to Gammons, who "reported" how Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander had scored two iPhones - one for himself and one for Twins first baseman Justin Morneau. As Gammons spoke, ESPN ran B-roll of himself and Verlander checking out his new iPhone. Now, I don't recall them chatting up the Nintendo Wii and cutting to Gammons playing home run derby with Ken Griffey Jr., or watching ESPY highlights streaming from an Apple TV with David Ortiz.
But the coverage of a device that has absolutely nothing to do with sports didn't end there. This morning on ESPN Radio, Mike & Mike made co-host Mike Golic's purchase of four iPhones for his family part of their main stories, meaning they "reset" with it each hour. I guess NBA Draft and trade news has gone cold?
Both Apple and ESPN are fave brands of mine and I'm sure this type of paid placement works, but it felt really out of place, even forced in some cases. I wonder how sports journalists feel about "covering" an ad? Or was the reporting legit?
