Download - Chris Bianchi
MLS vs. Social Media
Social MediaColorado Rapids: 11 game losing streak
Bio Colorado Rapids beat
reporter: Chris Bianchi (age 27)
Started covering Feb 2012 Boston University
graduate Meteorologist: full time Beat reporter: part-time Rapids website: Owned by
the MLS
Ethical Issues
Lack of ethical consideration regarding codes-Tweeting
Firing of Chris on the MLS’s behalf (Rapids pushed for his firing)
Stakeholders
• Chris Bianchi• Colorado Rapids• Fans
ArgumentsPro
Newsworthy Balanced journalism Fan frustration Learning experience
Con Team President Tim
Hinchey pushing for firing (betrayal)
No PR director: very dysfunctional media
DecisionChris Bianchi
Responded to tweet Stay critical but
truthful/accurate More specific about
message he was trying to send to fans/management
Tim Hinchey Hire a PR director Understanding of current
team situation Do not take criticism
personally Great friendship=Loyalty
AftermathChris Bianchi was fired 1 week later (Oct. 15,
2014)Bianchi is a full time meteorologist and covered
the rapids part timePublic criticism from fans and Sports Illustrated
soccer journalist Grant Wahl backing BianchiKeith Olbermann (1:25)
DiscussionJust how accountable can you hold a journalist
for posting on social media?How can we improve the use of social media
when covering sports?Should social media be filtered?
http://www.burgundywave.com/2014/10/22/7038643/keith-olbermann-tim-hinchey-worst-person-in-world
http://screamer.deadspin.com/former-colorado-rapids-reporter-team-pushed-to-get-me-1647752540
https://twitter.com/rapids_news• http://www.mlssoccer.com/author/Chris-Bianchi• Phone Interview with Chris Bianchi (March
20,2015)
Sources