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1. Huskerwes1 said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 10:45 am

   It’s funny to me to see the words “basic reporting” and “ESPN” in the same sentence- that place breeds drama.

2. Craig Biggio's Dirty Uniform said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 10:54 am

   Still unbelievable that he cheated on his Swedish model wife. I mean, I know it ever the same once you’ve plowed her but come on guy.

3. Scipio Tex said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 11:12 am

   I can tell you this much: pro athletes are physical creatures. If you poke and prod them enough, they’ll respond in the way that they know best – physically. It’s one thing to have an agitated Sean Penn take a swing at you, it will be another thing entirely when Steve Smith, Rasheed Wallace, or Albert Haynesworth does it.

   Pro athletes are about to be exposed to a level of public scrutiny and harassment that they’ve never experienced. Michael Jordan would be a Tiger Woods-like figure had he only come into the league ten years later. This marks a new era.

   ESPN is going to have a lot of trouble navigating this new world given their current pseudo-journalistic “mission.”

4. Chris McMinn said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 11:14 am

   VS. is our only hope.

5. sizzlechest said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am

   I’m actually interested in seeing how TMZ handles college athletes. The publicizing of the DJ Monroe arrest video is largely a local phenomenon (except for the run it will get on our rivals internet sites of course – TexAgs holla!), but it could bring this kind of stuff to a much wider audience if it were to go on TMZ.

6. Minnesotahorn said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am

   My initial reaction is to roll my eyes at this but with a little reflection, I could see this being a real problem for USC. Heck, it could be a real problem for many programs but I doubt TMZ will see enough dollar signs to pursue stories on LSU’s indiscretions.

7. Tubin said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 11:43 am

   I call things like this “signs of the idiocalypse,” derived from the great movie “Idiocracy.” Originally, I thought I coined the phrase, but a quick google search proved otherwise. I guess I’m not that creative.

   Although, this is likely nothing more than a momentary blip due to Tiger’s transcendent celebrity. Tiger’s romances and scandals are interesting to the TMZ viewing public because he is a household name, regardless of one’s level of interest in sports. Does anybody really think the general public longs for stories about the personal lives of middling athletes? Would a scandalous affair involving… say, Patrick Crayton draw the same attention as one involving a Hollywood star of similar stature, or Octamom for that matter?

   Just a thought.

8. TOR said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 11:55 am

   Tiger cheated on his hot swedish model wife with a woman that looks JUST FREAKING LIKE HER. I don’t get it, dude was doing it wrong or something. Should have nailed the sister.

   Actually, he probably did. Or tried to.

9. huskerwes1 said:

   December 24th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

   All Tiger has to do to make this go away is smile and win a tournament.

10. MerHorn said:

    December 24th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    Another reason why the peak of professional sports was in the ’80′s…Jordan would not be the brand it is today if he had TMZ around.

11. dick said:

    December 24th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Jordan didn’t get caught cheating on his wife until after he retired. I remember him suing one of his hoes for trying to extort him. He was doing it the whole time I’m sure.

12. AC pit boss said:

    December 24th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    not to mention getting his dad murdered over his gambling.

13. bigdukesix said:

    December 24th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    So how will this be any different from Deadspin? It will just be higher profile.

14. CrazyJoeDavola said:

    December 24th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    Deadspin is a passive entity. TMZ Sports is actively going to seek stuff out.

    I’m sure they’ll concentrate on the pros, but the observation on USC is a good one. It’s going to be a lot harder to cover up recruiting and behavior shenanigans.

    And head coaches will b driven just a little more insane.

15. Chango said:

    December 26th, 2009 at 10:49 am

    Euro footballers have been dealing with this for a decade.

16. Tom N. said:

    December 29th, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    Just another reason why some potential superstars aren’t going to enter the world of sports. they are going to be scared away-esp.by the negative publicity they may have to endure. Its gotten to be such a tabloid world, with horrible, humiliating true stuff – you can’t put a price tag on privacy and freedom. Not worth it. The smart ones won’t take the bait.

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