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Paul Steigerwald, the Unprofessional Professional |
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&**Please note: There is no indication that I agree with what happened on the ice on 2/11 in this blog. This is media related only.
didn’t want to have to do this publicly. I spent the entire day searching for this guy’s email address and asking people in the business if they knew it. I struck out on all fronts. I found him on FaceBook, but I’ll be damned if I was going to go THAT route!
See, earlier today I was alerted to the little YouTube clip that enraged every Islander fan and perhaps a few media types.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkKy58-cYgA
There is also this Bleacher Report article that was written by James Crider.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/606142-pittsburgh-penguins-announcer-paul-steigerwald-a-new-level-of-unprofessionalism
Wow. Honestly, I didn’t hear it even though I was more than likely sitting not more than ten feet away from this man when he said it on Friday night in the Press Box. Yes, the Press Box. That temple of worship for professional journalism, NHL representative and now, New Media.
Had I heard the remarks on Friday night, I more than likely would have done a few things. First; gasped like a 19th century schoolmarm whose sensibilities were insulted. (Oh, my word!) Second; glared at him trying to set his headphones on fire with my gaze. (Light damn it! Light!) Third; ran like a fifth grade tattle-tale to the PR director to report the infraction. (“You’ll never guess what Pauline just did!!!”)
However, after doing some research today on Mr. Steigerwald, it seems he is mired in controversy and repeated unprofessional on-air behavior. These facts only lead me to ask -- why does he have a job?
So many of the Penguins fans I spoke to today said they can’t stand listening to him and if the radio feed wasn’t out of sync with the video, they’d listen to that and turn the sound off their televisions.
While I do not condone much of what happened on Friday night, I take exception to how Mr. Steigerwald portrayed the Islanders (embarrassment to the league) on a night they netted nine goals. Of course, a broadcaster can state his opinion and it’s obvious his opinion of the Islanders is exceptionally low.
As a broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Penguins, I suppose he can say what he wishes about an opposing team. There is a term for that style of broadcasting, but I don’t need to use it here.
No, what really made my head explode was his remark regarding the NY Islanders General Manager. “I’m sure Garth Snow is proud as punch of his team right now and lovin’ it.”
Okay, first of all the use of “proud as punch” in 2011 is laughable, but isn’t that type of remark about one of the 30 General Managers in the National Hockey League somewhat unprofessional for an NHL broadcaster? I don’t have time to go through all the YouTube videos to see what he’s said about Brian Burke or whether he would even DARE to.
Does he KNOW Garth Snow? Did he call him in his suite while the game was on and ask him? Or was this simply another example of a broadcaster feeling he can say whatever he feels at the moment without consideration of what should be considered professional decorum?
I ask this because as one of the “new media” types that lives and dies by the rules of the sacred Press Box (to which there really is no printed handbook!), had I said during a radio interview, or written a post, something such as what Steigerwald blurted out about one of the League’s General Managers, the backlash would surely end my days as a credentialed representative of HockeyBuzz.com. It would also probably end some professional relationships I have managed to develop over these four years.
What I am getting at is that I find it incredibly distasteful that a paid media representative can repeatedly be unprofessional while so many of us “new media” toil endlessly to prove their professionalism in order to gain the respect of the league, the players, the main stream media and the readers.
So, since I couldn’t say this one on one, I’ll send a public email.
Dear Mr. Steigerwald.
I believe you owe Garth Snow and the fans of the NY Islanders an apology for your unprofessional description of the Islanders franchise and it’s General Manager.
I can assure you, the only thing Garth Snow loved during Friday’s game was seeing the Islanders on the score sheet for nine goals and having three different players score their 20th goals of the season and two scoring their 21st.
The NY Islanders are not an embarrassment to the league. However, your broadcast style could be classified as such.
Sincerely,
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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