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LHinks: Life after NYI Point Blank; Botta speaks to fans

I had a lot of reactions to the (apparent?) end of popular blog Islanders Point Blank, many of which I left in comments at this From The Rink post, but the business of blogging isn't an area I like to navel-gaze about here. So briefly, the lesson for me boils down to this: The Islanders and most NHL clubs whose beat coverage has declined will somewhere down the line have to create a model like MLB has done, in which each team site has a dedicated beat writer free of editorial interference from the club. Better yet, the NHL needs a separate entity for such an arrangement, as MLB does -- one that is completely free of the influence of the hockey departments around this rather insular league.

I'm one who appreciates Newsday's Greg Logan's coverage very much and hope it continues infinitely -- I can't emphasize that enough, I think Logan's independence is vital even if Chris Botta's access was often strangely closer. But the newspaper industry is what it is, so NHL clubs would be merely prudent to prepare for the worst. Granted, the two leagues are in different revenue universes, but this has always struck me as an inevitable investment, one a little different than Botta's post-employment arrangement with his old club.

Regarding possible conflicts of interest, I contacted an excellent veteran MLB.com beat writer to clarify how MLB's arrangement works. He told me this:

"I, like all my colleagues, am neither a team nor a league employee. I work for a separate company named MLB Advanced Media, which the clubs formed in 2001.

And I hear nothing from the club or the league. Can’t think of a single occasion, literally, when I have heard anything in eight seasons covering the team."

Chris Botta would make for an excellent voice in such a position, but I can only imagine that a man at this stage of his career and life needs more than, say, a young beat writer would command. It's a tough dilemma, because the alternative, a standalone blog, is not a business proposition akin to, say, a central Asian oil reserve.

More reactions, including Botta's surreal YouTube video to calm and redirect fans in a week when the story isn't supposed to be on him, after the jump:

Star-divide

 

Don't forget the Lighthouse rally and public hearings are Tuesday, Aug. 4. Have a grand ol' weekend.

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Good post

Just wanted to throw this out there.

In all the hooplah surrounding this I found an interesting post on IPB that I think has relevance here;

Chris;

I will send my letter off to the town of Hempstead. I feel a little dirty about telling a municipality what to do even though I don’t live there. I live in MA. I will explin to them that Islanders are the only thing that keeps me coming back to long Island and spending money there. I have no more family living in the area so I don’t have reason to come back.

I did have my wedding in the TOH though.

I think it also important that the message be sent to people involved in this to vote in their local elections. Folks in your state, town and federal goernment look at things like this when you send off a letter or raise a complaint.

Doesn’t matter who you vote for is just matters that your a citizen that casts a ballot. So no matter who you plan on voting for this year it is VERY important that you go out there and cast a ballot. Even if you are writing in Mickey Mouse.

No matter what side of the debate you are on, things like this come up where both sides agree on it. That’s why it’s important.

My 2 cents. Sending off my Email now.

In the leadup to the Aug 4th meeting these politicians must be made aware that this issue does not rest on Charles Wang’s October 3rd deadline. Like that poster mentioned, when it comes to issues like the LHP, politicians do look at who votes and doesn’t vote. Traditionally, local elections have very low voter turnout.

The message that needs to be sent moving forward here is that those involved in this issue, plan on voting this year, and this issue will decide on which direction they cast their ballot. It doesn’t matter whether you are traditionally a Republican, Democract, Green Party, Constitution Party, or Socialist Equality Party voter. It’s not about simply pitting one party against the other.

It’s about the simple fact that there issues that decide elections and there are many issues like this one that the voters agree upon across the board.

I like that poster above, live out of state. I will send my letter off to the TOH and my local politicians here informing them that this issue will decide my vote here as well. If anything that will cause more folks inside the Republican Party to pressure Murray into doing the right thing here. They need to get her on and send the message that her actions effect them as well.

Botta’’s blog gets 400,000 unique hits a month. If even a quarter of those people write letters doing the same thing that’s enough to create otisde and inside pressure.

by Chickendirt on Aug 1, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

It is because of issues like this, ones that affect the people who live and work in the area, that I vote. I feel that I HAVE to vote. If you do not speak up then your opinion DOES NOT MATTER!

Go to the Lighthouse Rally! I live in IL or I would be there. I have not been very vocal on this site about it, but I am going to raise my voice now. GO TO THE RALLY!!

Of course, I am basically talking to the people on this site, who are Islander fans to begin with. I guess I will have to do a copy and paste on some emails to a few people.

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Aug 1, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

Really good points here. Well put guys.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Aug 2, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thanks, I guess I did right by holding back on the Bobcat Goldthwait “YEARG!!!” in the middle of it?

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Aug 2, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

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