Sam Ali getting some Uni-Watch love

[bigjer54]

https://uni-watch.com/2024/01/10/hero-t ... ighlights/

[sinklair]

Good on Sam for trying to be creative. But WNEM and WJRT both provided live coverage from Houston when WEYI-WSMH went the cheap route and put Sam in the impossible spot.

Cheap @$$ station and corporate managers once again prove why they should not run local stations. There is absolutely no reason why Sam wasn’t in Houston for the U if M’s first national championship in 26 years. F’N amateurs.

[FormerNews5Dude]

That was awesome. Great job, Sam. Who cares what other people with greater resources did? You did what you did.

[sinklair]

I’m hope you’ll be just as enthusiastic when Stella draws pictures for a major breaking news event. Or Erik doodles pictures for severe weather. I’d personally enjoy it if — instead of all the production costs for A Classy, Brassy. Christmas — if Bill Harris would sit in front of his fireplace playing a Kazoo while putting up stock photos of real musicians.

You completely miss the point that it’s basic journalism that Sam should have been at the game like every other Sports Director. He did the best he could with what he was given. It’s the last part that was unacceptable. But I’m sure the GM and never seen News Director will laugh at all the money they saved and all the digital clicks they received… and do the same cheap alternative the next time they have a major story where they want to save a penny or two.

[TC Talks]

I bet if you really tried, you could come up with even more absurd scenarios. When I read your post, it makes me think you're losing some of your hatred for TV news.

[sinklair]

TC: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

I don’t have an absurd scenario…. The only thing we’ve discussed is what actually happened. WEYI-WSMH was so incredibly cheap that it was the only station in the market to not send crews to Houston… then had Sam Ali draw some cartoons to show instead.

Try to keep up. If you think drawing cartoons instead of covering news is the way 25-66 is going to gain viewers, then say that. At least we’ll know when you lost all your marbles.

[MasterB]

In other words Sinclair will not be sending Sam to The Super Bowl if the Lions make it in about a months time. And for the record I don't see the Lions making The Super Bowl hoping that they win tomorrow VS the Rams.

[smallwonder]

A little Muskegon birdie passed along a message that Bondy is jealous over the amount of exposure this has received while his "Keeping it Real" subscription segments haven't attracted the audience he thought it would. Most people who saw Sam's clip never knew 25's news operation existed.

[sinklair]

The kid is buying into his own press. Now Sam is drawing news conferences, etc. he’s even created his own sweatshirt with his doodles.

I gave Sam too much credit that he’d actually would push to do a competent job if given the chance. Now I see why Sinclair loves him. It’s not about covering sports. They see him as an “influencer”.

It’s the same rabbit hole that Bondy fell into. And everyone sees how well that worked out for him.

[rugratsonline]

In other words Sinclair will not be sending Sam to The Super Bowl if the Lions make it in about a months time.

If the Lions make it to Vegas, I envision WEYI / WSMH farming its coverage out to WWMT, or even to Las Vegas sister station KSNV.

[sinklair]

The Super Bowl wouldn’t be on NBC — it’s on CBS (WNEM).

Here’s how Sinclair will look at the decision…

Why would WEYI promote the game on CBS?

Why would we send Sam down to Las Vegas and incur the costs?

WWMT — the Kalamazoo based CBS station — and Sinclair’s Me-TV stations can produce a special and WEYI could air it — if the Director of Declining Sales could get a few bucks for it.

It’s only the biggest sport story in Michigan… so if I were WEYI “Sports” Director, I wouldn’t pack your bags, and start drawing some new doodles. That’s the Sinclair way!

[rugratsonline]

The Super Bowl wouldn’t be on NBC — it’s on CBS (WNEM).

Why would WEYI promote the game on CBS?

They wouldn't necessarily promote the game, but rather the Lions. If your home team makes it all the way, no doubt every station in the state would promote the Lions, even if their network wasn't covering the big game.

[sinklair]

Rugrats: I agree with you. Just wish the “brain trust” at 25-66 did as well.

If Kevin & Karin wouldn’t send a crew to cover Michigan in Houston for a National CFP Championship, do you really think they’ll pay for Sam to go to Vegas to cover the Super Bowl?