Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
I am about to make an exception to a long-held rule that I have had in these parts. Since we started this blog four years ago, I have continually stressed one mantra: when you dont like what a national columnist writes, ignore it. Hits and generating controversy is what most journalists live for and I have learned that all the emails and complaining usually does is lead the columnist to want to write more, not less, negative things about Kentucky and the UK fanbase. While it may feel good to send the email to the writer in which you let him have it and give all your well-reasoned points, 99 times out of 100 it is either ignored or simply used as proof of the “delusional fanbase” point that they were initially making.
However I am going to make an exception today. After the last few weeks, it is impossible not to wonder what is the deal with Pat Forde. While I know many dont like that I say this in regards to Pat, it is true. I do like him personally and he has always been very nice to me. Having said that, these last few weeks have shown a scale of professional hypocrisy that seems beyond strange to me and is definitely worth questioning. Pat is (along with Katz), THE major college basketball voice on the most powerful sports network in the country. What he says matters (unlike say a local columnist in Memphis) and thus it cant just be ignored. His recent hypocrisy can be seen in his coverage of two stories:
RICK PITINO:
By now it is not a secret that Forde co-wrote a book with Rick Pitino and is one of his good friends. No harm in that. But the way he has handled, and covered, the Pitino scandal has been beyond bizarre. Lets be clear, with the personal and professional relationship Pat has with Pitino, he should have ZERO coverage duties on the Pitino scandal. That should be beyond debate. But apparently the folks at the World Wide Leader disagree. When the Karen Sypher allegations first hit, ESPN sent Pat to interview her and do a story on her and her credibility. He questioned her sanity in the piece, refused to write her allegations and from the ESPN perspective discredited her. Then, when the Courier Journal finally reported the allegations and showed that Pitino had admitted to sex with Sypher and paying for an abortion (I mean “health insurance”), Forde was nowhere to be found. He didnt write the article on the story (Katz did), provided no written commentary or mention of Pitino/Sypher and only publically commented once…on ESPN’s First Take where his overall point was that “we need to remember it isnt Rick, but Sypher that is on trial.”
JOHN CALIPARI
Counter that with his coverage of John Calipari. From the first day that Calipari was hired, Forde has questioned the hire in his ESPN writings and NUMEROUS ESPN television bookings (which mysteriously dried up in the Pitino week). He wondered why UK would take a chance on a coach who had an “NCAA record” and scolded the UK administration, suggesting Travis Ford would have been a better hire. Then the Memphis story breaks yesterday and Forde is up at the crack of dawn, tweeting out the details of the saga (I dont remember reading one Pitino tweet from Pat) and linking all critical articles of Calipari. He finished the day by going on television and suggesting that World Wide Wes had something to do with Derrick Rose’s story and tweeting a link to the Memphis columnist’s article in which he says Calipari had to know Rose was cheating, with Forde adding that the columnist pointed out the “key point” of the NCAA report.
So how do we reconcile these two different reporting styles. Some will say simplistically that it shows Pat hates UK and loves UL. That I would suggest is incorrect. Forde, like most sportswriters, has been doing this so long that his fandom has gone away and he holds no ill will to UK in particular. It does however show that Pat lets personal relationships/feelings get in the way of his reporting. How can Forde with a straight face go on television and say that the Pitino story is about Sypher and that “Rick isnt on trial.” Hey Pat, NO ONE CARES ABOUT SYPHER. She isnt a public figure and isnt the most famous employee of a major public University. Rick may not literally be in a government trial but he did admit to:
1. Cheating on his wife
2. In a public restaurant
3. With a woman he just met
4. With his entire staff there
5. Paying for an abortion/health insurance afterwards
Now tell me Pat, is that not reason enough to question Rick Pitino? Did you not agree with Iowa State’s ouster of Larry Eustachy for something that in many ways was much less egregious? Do you really believe this was only “one incident, six years ago” as Rick says or do you believe that it is highly unlikely that the only mistake Rick has ever made happened to be the time he got caught? Pat knows the answer to all those questions, but in the end Rick is his friend/business partner. So he cant make the connections that need to be made. There is nothing wrong with personal loyalty…but if personal loyalty prevents you from being objective, then do what Terry Meiners did with me on the radio and say, “I just cant talk about that because I am too close to the people involved.” Do NOT go on television and act like a reporter….because in that situation, you arent.
Again, contrast that with John Calipari. In a situation in which neither the NCAA, Memphis or even the SAT testing service has said with certainty that (a) cheating occurred or (more importantly) (b) Calipari knew, you have already made up your mind. Unlike in the Pitino situation, in which you have a coach who has ADMITTED to part of the allegations, here you are ready to convict, based solely on conjecture. Even though, as Mike Decoursey pointed out yesterday, the SAT testing service did not find that Rose cheated (it simply found that he didnt cooperate with the investigation), you as part of the Pat Forde Testing Service, have already made your conclusion. Now if you were Gregg Doyel or Skip Bayless, and you spent your living blasting people and making those connections, it wouldnt bother me…that is what you do. But you claim to be an objective journalist…one who has been silent and quick not to convict your co-author. Why do that now with Calipari? Is it because (as Andy Katz suggests) “anyone who blames Memphis or Calipari doesnt understand college basketball?” Or is it because you simply dont like Calipari and your objectivity goes away when he is the subject?
Pat Forde made the point (multiple times) on television that Rick Pitino wasnt on trial, but Karen Sypher was the real issue. Well according to the NCAA, Calipari isnt on trial either, the Rose situation is the real issue. While in both cases I think that is simplistic (the real issue is what people care about, Pitino and Cal), in one case you bought that explantion and in one you didnt. The reason is simple. When it comes to reporting in Kentucky, you let your personal feelings shape how you do your job, supposedly the biggest no-no in the journalism profession. If you cant report objectively on Rick Pitino, then you shouldnt say anything about him and come out publically acknowledging that fact. Journalistic integrity requires that. Similarly, if you are going to insinuate that Calipari knew Rose cheated on his SAT (an insinuation I have only seen you and angry Memphis writers make), then journalistic integrity requires you to show some amount of proof. If not, you are a commentator, not a reporter…a line that you blur depending on what media outlet (Sportscenter/First Take/.Com) that you happen to be on.
I am sure this article will stress my personal relationship with Pat. But because of his position, the ideas behind it are important. There are some, both pro and con, about whom I cant speak objectively. About those people I do not speak. My hope is that at some point, a much more seasoned and significantly better journalist than I, learns the same lesson.
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August 21st, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Great post Matt! I agree with every point. I hope this finds it’s way to Forde’s desk.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Holy Cow! Matt, you just laid the smack down. That is quite possibly the best writing I’ve come across about this whole situation!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Matt u r da man!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:16 pm
This is why I read this blog…great stuff.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:18 pm
My question is what happens to Forde when he (inevitably) comes to Rupp this year.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Nice work Matt. Probably the best piece that I’ve seen you write.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I just linked this on Twitter. Love it.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Matt put the SMACKDOWN on Forde!!!!
Well written, my liberal friend.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
speaking of bad sports writers, apparently NC State “made a good decision by not hiring Calipari” -check out this stupid article in the Raleigh paper and help me out in the comments section, I’m understandably outnumbered by ACC fans
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/accnow/calipari-packs-best-non-hire-ever
August 21st, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Harumph! Harumph!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Best KSR post ever. Great job Matt
August 21st, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Best work yet Matt. Wonder if Meg Calipari will mention your musings on her Facebook? I’m sure she will slam Forde yet again.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
5 And I am not meaning he will be lynched. I mean he has to be persona non grata to U.K.coaches, administration, etc. Is it possible he can get any access to anything? Is it possible we can recruit the Chicago Cub fan to spill a Beer on him? Is it possible he can just not be given press credentials?
August 21st, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I like the article Matt but Larry Eustachy was partying WITH college students (not sure if it was on campus or not). That blurrs the line of personal life and his job. Pitino was enjoying an oyster plate with a random bimbo who doesn’t know what college is for.
Regardless, Pitino is on trial (public) due to HIS admissions (which weren’t forthcoming but forced in an extortion attempt).
August 21st, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Excellent post, sir!
It will be interesting to see how Jay Bilas reacts to these issues. His editorial on Cal’s presumed innocence was good and should still apply.
Odd that anyone besides Gregggg and KSR remind the world of the lack of NCAA and media attention given the Maggette/Piggie transaction?
August 21st, 2009 at 1:27 pm
As long as UK is extremely careful about “dotting every i and crossing every t” as Matt wrote last night, this will pass over. UK basketball has been so overplayed the last few months (and I have loved it) that the rest of college basketball fans have been dying for something like this to happen. But Forde needed to be called out, such obvious bias shouldn’t be allowed on ESPN.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Pat Forde needs to take the heat off his good buddy. What better way than to attack his friends rival, which also happens to be the hottest thing going in college basketball?
And since Forde and Pitino wrote a book together and are friends, I can only assume they are lovers.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Nailed it.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Nicely done Matt.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:32 pm
So, Matt, is this why you’ve thus far remained silent on the ‘Bobby Perry improved his lie’ rumors?
August 21st, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I hope you email this to everyone at ESPN.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Kudos.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Great article Matt. I heard you on Terry’s show the other day shortly after 4. I enjoyed your remarks, and Terry’s professionalism. He didn’t shy away from asking you questions about Pitino, but wouldn’t comment himself.
Thanks for putting it out there what many of us have been saying about Forde. He bleeds red.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Matt, Please submit your post to the Courier Journal Op-Ed. It is awesome.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Forde is only doing what’s in his best business interest. I also think Forde, Pitino and Sypher had a three-way. Forde’s job was to keep Pitino erect through the whole thing while having his va-j-j pummeled by Sypher’s tongue!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Amen
August 21st, 2009 at 1:48 pm
#27 — where is the beef? The dirt? Waiting.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Geez claw, it’s not like he locked someone in a bathroom stall, or made someone walk home, or hamper someones play with mind games. Cheat or not, he took a young man and developed him into an NBA star. Besides, this only proves that not everyone needs a standardized test (or college) to be successful.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
+1
Excellent post Matt.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Hmm, claw was deleted. Someone is watching us…
August 21st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
BTW, how are the book sales going for Pitino/Forde? Inquiring minds want to laugh.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
27. I agree with you. And I’m a hardcore UK fan through and through. But we should just face the facts. He’s a dirty coach. Blaming the media won’t do anything. All the deflecting and defending and justifying won’t change the facts. I understand Matt wants to defend UK & Coach Cal. But what does the Rose/Memphis/Coach Cal situation have to do with Pitino? Why do we try and bring up other things (Duke/Magette, Pitino, the media, the NCAA’s shortcomings, etc…..) rather than just own up to what is our own business. All this being said, I’m pretty psyched about our badass team this season.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
#30 — let’s all applaud the “watcher” — although personally I think his comment should have stayed - so we could “change” his mind and attitude.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Thanks for deleting my post Matt. I previously had respected you. Will not be back on this site where an honest opinion cannot be expressed. Goodbye and good luck.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:52 pm
claw - I respect your right to say what you said - even if you are wrong.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:52 pm
He’ll be back. They always come back.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:52 pm
That double-chin and gonzo-nose shot of Forde is priceless. Anyways, how can Forde act like he is at all independent in these situations. Utterly fascinating if you ask me.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
New Pitino Scandal??? http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/k5s5GmLiNHulgVM4
August 21st, 2009 at 1:55 pm
36. Isn’t that the truth. Just ask Kasey Johnson, the most famous man in the universe.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:57 pm
http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061626630
Does this mean that Pitino will rebound with another “lady” real soon?
August 21st, 2009 at 1:59 pm
What I find so strange about Pat Forde is that he was one of the few members of the national media who actually defended UK during Tubby’s departure. But as Matt has said, it’s painfully obvious that Forde has something against Cal. I’m pretty it stems from an incident in 1997 where Cal refused Forde’s request for hair care advice
August 21st, 2009 at 2:00 pm
what’d Claw say?
August 21st, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I sent this to ESPN’s Ombudsman, requesting response. I doubt we’ll get it but it can’t hurt. Feel free to do the same.
http://espn.go.com/espn/columnists/archive/_/name/don-ohlmeyer
August 21st, 2009 at 2:02 pm
“Rebound Rules”
By
Rick Pitino and Pat Forde
Also by Rick Pitino
Born to Coach
Full Court Pressure
Success is a Choice
Lead to Succeed
and his newest book — Blood Red Sausage at Porcini - or How to destruct in 10 Easy Minutes.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:04 pm
44. haha
August 21st, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Bravo Matt, you spoke what is on the minds of all true blue fans. As for Forde’s reception at Rupp, he ain’t got the hangies to show up, no way. If he does, it won’t be pretty. What I’d love to see is him in the press corp of a Cal presser, ask Cal a question, and get a stone wall,refuse to answer, ignore for Cal. I’d love to get to meet him face to face, and I agree his behavior is more than prejudical, there almost has to be a motive. Anyway bottom line is he is a rootslurper.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Before I wipe Ky Sports Radio off of my “favorites” list for voicing my opinion and being deleted. I just want to add one more thing. I hope I am totally wrong about Coach Cal. I hope we win the national championship and it is all legitimate. What I said about Coach being dirty I believe. He is very slick and very believable to most people who WANT to believe him. We have gone through some really tough times as Kentucky basketball fans from the later years of Tubby to the two hell filled years of the never should have been hired dirtbag Gillispie. I am sorry I offended anyone with my opinion about Cal. Feel like an idiot right now for popping off, but stand by my opinion.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
claw — give me some perspective on your reasoning — one is innocent until proven above a reasonable doubt — in other words - what proof do you have for this reasoning?
August 21st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Well done, MJ.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
claw - do you also think that John Wooden was dirty due to his association with sam gilbert?
August 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Way to kill it again, Matt. You really can’t say it any better.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Very good post for once, MJ.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
10.. I didn’t get an harumph outa that guy!
August 21st, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I think everyone agrees we want a clean program. But Cal is our coach now, and we should support him. CAL HAS NO VIOLATIONS. Who else would you have wanted? Donovan? Roy Williams? Calhoun?
August 21st, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Sorry guys, had a bad day. Work with a bunch of extremely right-wing haters who ruined my day with Nazi talk and how I was going to burn in hell and I expressed an opinion that was better left unsaid and was not thought through. Feel stupid now. I need to just shut up.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Excellent point…well written. Of course “unbiased” journalism went by the wayside years ago. Look at how the media covers the current President -vs- the last President. There is no longer any unbiased journalism, you have to make your own judgments based on what you know and hear from all sides. Yes, journalists should take an unbiased view of things. Simply put, everyone writes/talks with some bias based on personal feelings…..it is human nature.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
The fact of the matter is nearly EVERY big time coach has something like this in his history at this point. Coach K, Roy W, Calhoun to name three. The NCAA and the AAU circuit are making it nearly impossible to not break these rules if you are going for top talent. Rose was offered a scholly by Memphis, but also Illinois, Indiana, Marquette, Kansas and on and on.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Don’t feel stupid, it just came across pretty harsh. But that’s what you get for caring about politics.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I think this is the best, and most important post ever on this blog. I have mixed feelings about the Cal situation but that isn’t what is at point here. Journalism at it’s core has gone to hell. Yeah, smut sells, but it should never be passed of as real news by those that profess to present real news. The reason many turn to blogs, in my opinion, is because people are tired of the Fordes in this world and the Fordes need to know it. Forde’s attempt to take poop off of RP and throw it on Cal pretty much back fired and it’s Forde with the dirty face. And no one is happier than me.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Is anybody else visiting this weekend? I thought the staff was wanting to get a couple of recruits on campus this weekend?
August 21st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
UCLA had a higher payroll than the Celtics back in the day.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:36 pm
When someone can show me how that Cal knew about this, should have known about this, could have known about this, I’ll have a different opinion. Maybe I have missed something, but according to everything that I have seen and heard from independant sources, there was no way that the school nor Cal could have known that he cheated on the test, iow had someone else take it for him. I don’t think I’m just drinking the koolaide on this am I?
August 21st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
While I completely disagree with what you all have to say, I’ll fight to the death for your right to say it! (Peter Griffen)lol.
Seriously though, good post matt, way to tell that Gay haired fruitcake. Oh, and Tucker killed it yesterday. His book was the tits by the way! Everyone should read it.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Anyone who says our coach is dirty, should be deleted. You are no fan of U.K.!
August 21st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I just watched Fordes video on ESPN, and it was even worse than I thought it could be. He just bashes UK fans and completely calls out http://WWW. Really sickening after watching his video on Rick Pitino.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I didn’t know Forde was a magician. He totally made his neck disappear.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
You would think that some smart investigative reporter would find out if DR was in fact in Detroit when the SAT test was taken..there has to be some sort of paper trail…if he wasn’t in Detriot, then he couldn’t have taken the test himself..if he was, chance go up that he probably took the test himself. Also, wouldn’t it be much easier to get someone locally to take a SAT test for you? Not very smart to have someone in another city take the test for you?? Just wondering..
August 21st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
66 - Thank you! Last time they had a picture of Forde up I thought the same thing. Only I see it as, it’s all neck no chin. But all chin, no neck works too.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
My goodness I may have to take back some of the statements I have made concerning lawyers, at least any references to you! You really laid down the “law”!
August 21st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I will be glad when this news cycle reaches its shelf-life. These talking heads soon will be totally outraged
over some other lame late breaking story. In the context of all that is wrong in the world..this is pretty small potatoes.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Feel free to check out my e-mail exchanges with Forde in the previous thread regarding Alan Cutler.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
What has Forde said that is untrue? I guess John Gotti never killed anyone. He was not convicted of murder was he? Poor John Gotti got a bad rap because the FBI stayed on him and should have left him alone. Too bad Pat Forde did not have a grudge against Hal Mumme. Maybe we would not be on probation. Oh wait, Hal Mumme was not named in anything.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
BOOM!
Love it, Matt. Very well written and supported!
August 21st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Matt:
Extremely well written. One of the best posts that I’ve seen at this site.
Mark Liptak
August 21st, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Matt: Excellent post. Mr. Forde has just been “read.”
August 21st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
72. So is Forde the FBI in your little metaphor? Or can we conclude that if John Gotti indeed killed someone, then Coach Cal
has to be “dirty”. I’m not sure I follow he logic..??
August 21st, 2009 at 4:23 pm
hell yeah. nice post Matt. you and Tru over at ASoB both had great posts today. well, i think Tru’s was today. its the one on Common Sense. a must read. F Forde. effin tool. go cats!
August 21st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Very well done. I too will ask how that “Rick is not on trial but Calipari is on trial” is reconciled. Either both were involded because of their postions or both should be left out not one for and one against.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:45 pm
THANK YOU! jeezuz, page one sports was a tough watch before because of bozich but now that this clown has come completly out of the closet i can cancel that recording on my dvr.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Great post Matt, Forde needs to keep his biased opinions to himself and due his job, which is to report the facts. If he has a personal relationship, like with Pitino, or a personal vendetta, like with Cal, he needs to avoid it like Karen Sypher’s thong!
August 21st, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I feel Matt was a bit harsh on Forde. Was it b/c RP and PF had a personal relationship in another collaboration co-writing “My days on Rick’s Stick”? or Karen’s Red Baron? But seriously why would Forde absolututly attack the integrity of one who denies any and all involovment, as to one who admits? We all know the truth in this, Forde has an agenda with both UK and Calipari. I just hope someone with more computer savvy than I can find it’s way to the national media. GREAT POST MATT!!!!! Go Cats!!!!!!!!
August 21st, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Matt, this might be your best post yet. Well said.
Forde is a d-bag.
August 21st, 2009 at 6:44 pm
[...] Mat Jones had a very good post on KSR where he calls out Pat Forde. Pat was quicker on the draw but dumber than the rattle snake he acts like. http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=26303 [...]
August 21st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
[...] Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio goes after Pat Forde. [...]
August 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Here’ the deal guys.
Saw Forde at a friend’s party a few years ago, he was with this chick. I thought no big deal of course until some of my friend’s girlfriends started talking about how he “treats his wife like shit.” The chick he was with wasn’t his wife.
So Forde isn’t going to get on the air and blast Pitino for doing the same thing he does.
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:13 am
Well done sir! Kudos to you for taking the time to lay it all out like you have.
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 am
I want to punch Forde in the face…
September 4th, 2009 at 1:51 am
[...] 66. August 21, 2009. Is it possible for me to dislike anyone more than Pat Forde? Not really! [...]