The power of reporting
We live in a time where “fake news” is all to common. Regardless of who does the reporting, it has become far too easy to dismiss news that does not necessarily align with someone’s own beliefs. It has also become easy to make claims against someone without providing reliable sources. Recently, this has reached the world of college athletics.
On February 25, 2018, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that the FBI had intercepted telephone conversations involving University of Arizona head basketball coach Sean Miller discussing payments to freshmen Deandre Ayton to insure his commitment. The FBI had placed a wiretap on Christian Dawkins phone as he is a person of interest regarding the recent college basketball corruption case. Former Arizona assistant coach “Book” Richardson is one of four college basketball coaches who have been arrested following a two year investigation. This reporting led to Miller removing himself from his coaching duties for Arizona’s recent game against the University of Oregon.
After meeting with University of Arizona officials, Miller was allowed to return to coaching and strongly denied all allegations against him. Despite this, Arizona has felt massive repercussions since the allegations against Miller were first reported. As recently as last week, Arizona held a top-10 nationally ranked recruiting class. Since then, they have lost all of their previous commits. Each of them has mentioned uncertainty surrounding the basketball program as their primary reason for reopening their recruitment, despite Arizona announcing that they are staying with Miller.
These allegations have directly impacted Arizona’s basketball program’s present and future success. Schlabach’s reporting makes strong allegations without providing substantial evidence to back it up. Arizona’s basketball program has certainly made themselves an easy target this season with an assistant coach being arrested, another assistant being suspended for breaking NCAA rules, and having their leading scorer being suspended for using banned performance enhancing drugs but these claims against the head coach easily top them all. The recording of the phone conversations between Miller and Dawkins are cited by Schlabach but no recording has been released. Ayton, the player who reportedly is reportedly being paid, has also denied all allegations. There has also been no evidence provided that any money was provided. Despite this, most major news outlets covered the reports surrounding Arizona’s basketball program.
This has shown the power that media outlets can have. Three recruits have decided against playing for Arizona next year even though the NCAA has not yet provided any statements on this matter. This reporting also led to Miller being removed as head coach for one game. It is easy to see what type of power the media has regardless of how well informed the reporter is. Arizona could very well be guilty of everything that is being reported but reporters should also be held accountable as their words can clearly have a strong impact.
