Seeing Sports In A Different Way

 BY SCOTT MORGANROTH 

I have to admit that I never thought I’d see the day where sporting events would be played in front of no fans. 

In this industry, we often kid around about a team that plays in front of sparse crowds because of a losing record. There are cases where a stadium location also leads to smaller crowds.

There are fickle sports towns where if you win, they’ll support the team. If you don’t win, they won’t support. There are others where they’ll support no matter what.

Here in 2020, I remember when Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James scoffed at the idea of playing in front of no fans during the beginning of COVID-19. 

But as the virus kept cancelling and postponing events, each sport had to make a decision to permanently stop or hope to find a way to salvage a season.

Early in the process, I began to watch Korea Baseball Organization Games on ESPN. I enjoy baseball so much that it was interesting to watch it in another country with no fans. 

Then, it became more interesting to see remote announcers call the games and that has developed into a current trend. The KBO also had cheerleaders which I don’t see happening in MLB.

NASCAR started the remote announcers and no fans.

MLB used piped in noise at games and remote announcers. Teams got clever by selling cardboard cut outs of fans in the stands. 

What’s interesting in MLB was since there are no fans, players could be heard and as a result, there were some ejections as players would argue balls and strikes or questionable calls with the umpires. There was an instance where a player got tossed from the stands. 

Because it looked bad, empty seats were covered up with canvas advertising to create additional advertising revenues.

The NBA and NHL Bubbles were well thought out and planned as tarps covered arena seats and there were virtual fans in the stands.

As we enter football season, it appears that there won’t be fans in the stands for the first game or two. When fans are allowed in the stands, I wouldn’t expect stadiums to have crowds of over 25% due to social distancing.

When will stadiums have larger capacities to give a team home court, ice and field advantage? 

There wasn’t any in the NHL and NBA. Without fans, the team that should have had an advantage of fans was negated. 

The Indianapolis 500, The US Open Tennis Tournament in New York as well as other events certainly aren’t the same without fans. But for now, at least there are events going on and champions will be crowned, even if some of these titles are going to have an asterisk in the history books.

Will fans decide to stay away from sporting events because it’s more convenient and less expensive to stay home? 

Some of this will determine where they live. 

In colder climates, they’ll go back quicker since there is a lot less to do. In the warmer climates like Florida, California, Arizona and Southern Nevada, I’d see less urgency.

I predict that the crowds will never be the same after what we’ve seen this year. As a result, owners of these teams are going to have to get real creative with their marketing departments to entice fans to come back.

I know as a member of the media, the way we do things will be much different with remote reporting as Zoom Technology takes over our landscape. Will there ever be a press box that’s near it’s capacity? It will be interesting to find out in 2021.

For those media members that retired early, they’re probably glad that they got out at the right time.

But how things have changed in this unprecedented time we live in.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com.

Adjusting To New Times

 BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

Earlier in the day, I had a conversation with a young aspiring broadcaster Damon Knight as to how things were like when I broke into the Media Business back in 1979.

I told him when I did radio shows, the way we researched the broadcasts was by relying on our local newspapers, The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.

We also utilized The Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI), along with the Sports Tickers. 

Back in the 1980’s, George Eichorn, Phil Guastella and I created the Sports Exchange and it aired on multiple stations. On one station, we would do a two hour broadcast while on another, we went from 6-12 Midnight on Saturdays.

Week in and week out, it was great meeting the challenge on making each show better.

Nowadays, the game is much different. 

There is still terrestrial radio which is viewed as local radio and is governed by The Federal Communication Communication that heavily regulates the industry. I have done terrestrial radio in numerous markets around the USA.

Two years ago, I was exposed to Internet Radio, working with Peter Wein of the WEI Network. I really enjoyed my time with Peter, who is a father figure and we launched the Sports Exchange. 

I had complete say of the guests and produced the show, while he operated the board. 

Unfortunately, that run ended with the passing of his wife then he went on to have a stroke shortly after her death. Perhaps, one day, I would welcome a reunion. 

The Sports Exchange on his network would get between 4-5000 listeners. Our best show was with my Detroit Tigers idol Mickey Lolich where we had 5,300 listeners. Lolich won three games in the1968 World Series leading the Detroit Tigers to a title.

When Peter’s health declined, it was time to get into podcasting and I met Jeff Adelman at a Coral Springs Chamber of Commerce Referral Group. We were planning to do a Hockey Show and he got me registered on Spreaker. Adelman is a personal injury attorney but because of his busy schedule, it was tough for him to commit to a regular schedule.

But thanks to Jeff, I got involved in the Podcast Movement. 

We started the South Florida Tribune Podcast and our first guest was Frank Lodato, who is a renowned sports psychologist with the Canadian Football League and the National Hockey League.

Adelman introducing me to this was the beginning of a new challenge to combine the broadcast side with the editorial as there are currently six shows. 

We have the Sports Exchange, No Limits, 108 Stitches, Baseball Talk, Real N’ Rare, A Fantasy Football Show with Myself and Ryan Skolrud (Skullking Sports) and the South Florida Tribune Podcast. There is a nice mixture of sports and non sports related broadcasts.

The main places you can subscribe to them is Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Spotify, I-Heart Radio and and Google Podcasts, plus wherever you get your podcasts.

When I talk about adjusting to the times, in this industry, I’d would be in trouble without LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, as these have been great a great source to get guests. 

As I continue to build my audio resume, I never know whether this would lead to another potential opportunity in addition to keeping The South Florida Tribune and Broadcast Division growing.

Social Media is a love and hate relationship.

One person who has not only been helpful on the broadcast, but social media is Rudy Reyes. We’ve done broadcasts together and he’s helped me adapt to the promotional side as well. Reyes social media prowess if off the charts!

When I put things in their proper context, these days, I hate dealing with e-mailing and text messaging when a phone call was all I needed to communicate with people. 

If there is anything that makes me stir crazy, it’s technology. 

But again, either you adapt or you don’t last in the business which I’ve reluctantly done.

If it were up to me, I would rather have a flip phone instead of a smart phone.

But thanks to the smart phone, I can access websites like The Score, ESPN.Com, FoxSports.Com, Sports Illustrated, etc... to get my information. This is what I explained to Damon and if he’s going to be successful in broadcasting, he’ll realize that he has more tools in his box than I ever had.

Being old school, I’ve participated on numerous Zoom Calls and have learned a lot by being a part of The Miami Marlins listening to other media members questions, in addition to slipping one in occasionally.

Because of COVID-19, I have to realize that meetings with sponsors will be virtual.

Sports coverage has seen remote broadcasting in many ways as announcers haven’t traveled to games. It’s a new experience plus it’s cut down the cost of the networks.

What will press boxes look like in the future? Will teams have a 50% capacity in the future? Time will tell but my prediction is yes until we get COVID-19 under control and a vaccine is created?

For those media members that have retired, I have a feeling that they’re relieved they got out at the right time. And for those of us still in this business, we can just wonder how much more difficult it will be to provide the coverage that we hope we can. 

If you’re a PR Guy in this business, it has to be extremely difficult as to what requests they’ll approve and which ones they deny.

In the meantime, we just have to roll with the mind boggling changes of “Adjusting To New Times.”

Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com.

My New Best Friend, Zoom

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

When it comes to technology, I feel like I’m in the majority when it comes to the 55 and older club.

I’m tremendously challenged.

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has changed our lives forever.

Enter social distancing, wearing face masks in public, staying at home like a bunch of caged lions, cooking at home much to the dismay of going out to restaurants and not being able to have face-to-face meetings.

When will the time come when we’re comfortable enough to meet in person?

Who knows?

If I had the answers, My wife and I would be comfortably retired in Maui, Hawaii.

But there is perception and there is reality.

If you would have asked me what the word “Zoom” means, I would have told you since I’m an adrenaline rush junky that it’s driving fast.

Another life-time ago, I might have pursued a career in motor sports. I’ve taken rides at race tracks around the country. Every time we go on the interstate, we travel speeds of greater than 70 miles per hour.

Today, “Zoom” has a new meaning to me.

I belong to a few networking groups and since face-to-face has been eliminated, the only way I can stay in touch and grow my business is by attending these meetings remotely. I have to admit, it’s grown on me.

I broadcast an average of four to five days a week.

I don’t finish until around midnight.

It would be quite difficult to get to a meeting at 7:30 am at an office setting.

Warren Drucker, the head of one of our groups is seriously considering implementing them permanently and down the road setting up mixers because he’s pleased that his attendance is reaching between 30-40 people per-meeting. I told him that I would attend those gatherings if they’re on Friday nights or over the weekend.

He figures that these Zoom Meetings will lead to a one-one meeting.

The way things are going, it’s hard to debate with his thinking.

Zoom has been quite handy with spending time with family members around the country as we celebrate birthday parties, and get weekly updates with how things are going with my in-laws.

Face-time has been very helpful as my wife and I communicate with my terminally ill mother.

Covid-19 has made it impossible for me to visit her in Michigan and the way the virus is spreading especially living in a hotspot like Florida, there is no trip planned. But at least I can see her and I’m fine with that considering what the alternative would be without the technology.

But if you really want to get me psyched up about “Zoom” then the easiest way to do it is by me doing these calls with a team or perhaps teams that I cover.

These past couple of days have made me feel like a kid in a candy store.

I’ve been involved in two Zoom calls with the Miami Marlins.

I’m as old school as it gets.

I’ve been covering sports for 40 years and I’m used to interviewing the newsmakers in the arenas, stadiums, etc... and because of these unprecedented times, that’s not happening in 2020.

On Wednesday Night’s Edition of “No Limits,” I couldn’t stop talking about this to my Co-Hosts Candy Ebling and Ron Renzy.

To be able to do my job and get the same information with taking risks of getting COVID-19 and saving money on expenses was neat.

I’m fine with it until I’m able to return to the way that I cover events.

The Marlins Public Relations Staff is fantastic and I’m getting to know my fellow members of the media since this is our first year covering the team.

Manager Don Mattingly has been great to work with!

He was an excellent player and seems like an outstanding person!

The Marlins have told me that it appears that there will be very few people allowed in the stadium because they want to conform with large gatherings.

So for the foreseeable future the regular media will just work from the friendly confines.

Hopefully, we’ll go back to normal in 2021.

You can rest assure that around the country, announcers are doing games remotely in all sports. We don’t have the pre-game routine of talking to the newsmakers.

This season it looks like the teams announcers won’t be traveling to road games.

Therefore, MLB Clubs are doing what the Marlins are doing and we’re making Zoom our best friend.

So if you’re a retired writer and don’t like this, you got out just in time. Keep living off that retirement and chill out. This is what you’re missing or not missing.

I actually did a Zoom Broadcast with Rudy Reyes on our show Motor Man and RudeDog and it’s on the company You Tube Channel.

I really enjoyed because he’s living in California and I’m in Florida but it seemed like we were in the studio. A much smoother broadcast. That I can get used to.

I haven’t figured out how to utilize Zoom when doing broadcasts as Rudy supplied me with the feed. But I’m determined to figure it out.

I will not use Zoom to cut corners on local broadcasts because I will not wear a mask sitting across the microphone from another person so I have to do additional editing to get the sound right.

Thus, I’d rather keep doing these broadcasts by phone until someone is comfortable to come in the studio.

But in the end, I make no bones about it that while I’m technologically challenged with the way things are changing, I’m fine with it.

This is one old dog that will gladly learn some new tricks since I view technology as my new toy!

I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Social Media, but I’m smart enough to know these days, that’s the only way that will last in the crazy society.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com.

To Be Or Not To Be

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

Will we actually crown a real champion in 2020 with the Sports World in flux?

I have to really wonder as COVID-19 has reared it’s ugly head the past 90 days.

I have a feeling that the second wave is approaching.

As we speak, the worldwide death toll has exceeded 500,000.

You talk about luck.

How lucky was the NFL when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49’ers 31-20 on February 2, in Super Bowl LIV in Miami Gardens, FL.

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 casualties range from the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, March Madness, College World Series and the delay of MLB.

We’ve seen the the NBA and NHL get regular seasons delayed, while postseasons will start this summer, so we hope.

As we deal in the present, will MLB’s 60-game season come to fruition as the second Spring Training is about to begin tomorrow.

How many players will choose not to play and decide they have enough money to stay safe with their families?

Will the abbreviated season look more like a bunch of prospects auditioning for jobs in 2021, while they gain earlier service team to inch them closer to free agency?

How legitimate will the records be and will there be awards winners? Time will tell.

At what point will MLB pull the plug and how many games will be played?

Will there be fans at any point?

What new rule changes in 2020 could actually be incorporated in the future?  Will purists be disgusted that the grand old game isn’t the same?

Ah, the questions.

Will the NBA’s Bubble burst at Disney in Orlando, FL leading to no champion?

How many players will test positive for COVID-19?

Will a marquee matchup be compromised if a superstar player is sidelined while another is playing?

Will the NHL crown a champion?

Will there be college or professional football this fall?

Who would have imagined that on The PGA Tour that the golfers would pull out of events when on the surface, this sport should have the least amount of problems social distancing.

If I were a betting man, the only two sports that I could see crowning a champion is NASCAR and the NHL.

The drivers are heavily protected by their fire suits. They don’t have to worry about sweating with other drivers in their vehicles. NASCAR seems to be rolling along every week while other sports seek answers.

I’m intrigued that their television partners announcers are doing remote broadcasts which could provide a glimpse into the future as to whether other sports would follow suit.

NHL players have their uniforms and they play in colder arenas. They appear to be fully protected.

At what point will we finally say that “Sports Are Not Important” in 2020?

If I had to venture a guess, I would predict by Labor Day.

If you’re a media outlet like us, that’s when you find out what you’re made of trying to create presentable, meaningful content.

But I have to admit that on our broadcasts, I always enjoy the guests that we talk to because everyone has various opinions.

What have I gotten out sports in 2020?

I never knew anything about the Sport of Cornhole other than the fact that you can play it out at Cracker Barrel while you’re waiting to be seated.

I’ve learned a lot about the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and that if you love this sport, it doesn’t matter where it’s played.

I’ve been fortunate to enjoy baseball on many levels as a player in Little League and growing up as a Detroit Tigers fan.

I’ve enjoyed covering High School, College Minor and Major League Baseball, therefore, the KBO has been a pleasure seeing them play in front of no fans and with cheerleaders. Who could have imagined that?

I’ve enjoyed seeing the connections between the KBO and MLB.

You have a lot of good players that went on to play MLB from Korea.

Former MLB players have used this as an avenue to resurrect their careers. The one that stands out was former Milwaukee Brewers slugger Eric Thames.

Now former Washington Nationals Manager Matt Williams is managing in the KBO.

I’m quite pleased that ESPN as given the KBO some worldwide exposure. Then again, they’re desperate for programming. But we’ll take it.

But in the meantime, the only way to summarize the Sports World is “To Be Or Not To Be.”

Stay tuned.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com or on Twitter @TribuneSouth.

Changing With The Times

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

During my 41 years working in the Media, the majority of the work I’ve done is in Sports. I’ve covered four Super Bowl Games in addition to being at many championship contests.

I’ve also written about Muhammad Ali, Tom Lasorda, Sugar Ray Leonard, former Detroit Tigers Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ernie Harwell along with many others.

My writing mentor is Tony DeMarco, while George Eichorn and I have done lots of projects on and off the air.

In the past two years, I’ve had the great pleasure of being introduced to Internet Radio with Peter Wein. I’ve seen the numerous shows he’s had on the weinetwork.com as he possesses tremendous versatility to choose from.

In the past year, Wein’s wife Harriett passed away and he suffered a major stroke for which he’s still recovering from.

My career in the Media has given me the opportunity to work in both print and broadcasting.

Thanks to Jeff Adelman, who is a personal injury attorney that is in my Coral Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce Referral Group, with Wein’s departure, he introduced me to Podcasting.

It’s been quite a transition from my old radio days. Many years ago, all I had to do was line-up the guests, prepare the content and we had lots of call ins.

There is another individual that has helped me get through this learning curve! I met Rudy Reyes on LinkedIn and he’s guided me with equipment. He’s taught me a lot about Social Media.

Rudy and I have a show on the World Sports And News (WSAN) Network.

We have seven different shows on WSAN Network.

The main ones include The Sports Exchange, 108 Stitches...Baseball Talk, The South Florida Tribune Podcast and the newest one is ‘No Limits’.

While all of our main programming has focused on Sports, things are drastically changing.

The South Florida Tribune Podcast is designed for our local market. We’ve made great progress developing it the past few weeks.

Before my wife and I left town for Memorial Day, we needed a strong national show.

With the help of my wife, two other guests which include Jacksonville Jaguars writer David Levin and former MLB pitcher Mark Littell, ‘No Limits’ was born.

In life, we have to adapt to it’s numerous changes.

The South Florida Tribune Podcast and No Limits will serve that purpose.

I will no longer be just a sports guy. I’ll be multi dimensional. We’ll have versatility on the local and national levels.

No Limits will live up to it’s name!

While we don’t talk about politics or religion on the South Florida Tribune and we won’t on the air, there will be no shortage of guests on these broadcasts!

The business model will be greatly enhanced because of the versatility.

There will be more ways to get involved as we create a Media Package.

First things first as this versatility will create more followers.

I’m excited about the direction, but there is a lot more work to do during these changing times. I’m very thankful for the people that have helped us grow and kudos to Rick Curti, Ron Renzy, David Levin, George Eichorn, and Mel Farr Jr. as they continue to help us on this growing journey.

The bottom line is that if we don’t accept todays changes then we’ll simply let the times pass us by. In other words, we’ll miss the bus.

That’s not going to happen with us.

For more updates, go to www.southfloridatribune.com. Also, please like the South Florida Tribune Page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @TribuneSouth.

If you want to reach me, then drop me an e-mail at southfloridatribune@gmail.com.

The Pandemic Challenge

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

What are you doing with your forced free time?

As the owner of an online publication and a broadcasting network, I find this to be a time to scout other networks as they try to find content.

Since we do a lot of sports shows on The South Florida Tribune Broadcasting Network, Golic & Wingo, Get Up and First Take have provided ideas how to proceed with how I approach things.

At www.southfloridatribune.com, we’re fortunate to have 29 Media Distribution Partners along with regular writers to provide content.

As we continue to increase numbers, the model for any business is to make sure that they’re active on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

The only way these Social Media outlets don’t work is if you don’t aggressively work them. For many of us old school guys, the transition has been quite the learning curve. I miss the newspaper, television and radio days when these outlets took care of the promotion and production.

Welcome to 2020.

Who would have thought that the NFL would hold a Virtual Draft?

Did anyone expect a record 55 Million people to watch it on ABC, ESPN and ESPN 2?

Will the NFL will adopt some sort of Virtual Draft format in the future?

Time will tell.

Before the Pandemic started, I’ve never heard of Zoom. Now it’s going to be a wave of the future. I’ve used them for networking meetings and now it’s neat to catch up with family.

During this time, it seems like in the sports world, you wonder what sport will be cancelled or postponed.

How much money will be lost due to the pandemic?

While everyone has taken a hit in the pocketbook, have lost love ones because of COVID-19, plus the sad stories we hear on Social Media, the only thing we have to do is stick together. I’m currently dealing with a very seriously ill mother in Michigan that I can’t see because of the Stay Home Orders. I have a feeling that I may never see her alive. But I’m sure many of this are in the same boat.

Nonetheless, we have to challenge ourselves to make the best out of a tough situation. I know it’s easier said than done.

But let us hope that we can get back to our regular routines in the near future.

We can only hope that we never face this type of situation again and if we do, we’re better prepared to handle this in the future.

Meanwhile, Stay Safe. Stay Home. Do Social Distancing and Kudos to our first responders. These first responders are our heroes.

COVID-19 Thoughts

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH
PHOTOS BY CANDICE EBLING

There is one company that I know which is benefitting with the Corona name and that’s the beer as we see these commercials on the air. For those that like to drink, I’m sure that the beverage is relaxing. Although I doubt it will happen, for some reason I think the ads should be taken off the air temporarily because the name is an unpleasant reminder of the unprecedented world we live in.

Being the owner of an online publication, The South Florida Tribune, 90% of My Media Distribution Partners are unable to send content because their sports have been either postponed or cancelled. Thankfully, the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars have picked up the slack during NFL Free Agency Frenzy.

One area that will be utilized more will be additional broadcasts with the South Florida Tribune Broadcasting Network. We have a good line-up of shows. The signature shows are The Sports Exchange and South Florida Tribune Podcast which is a non-sports show.

A week ago, we returned from Arizona as we spent time with family and finished our goal to see the two remaining stadiums in the Cactus League. We saw the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa and the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. It was great to cover another LA Dodgers game at Camelback Ranch vs The Milwaukee Brewers, in Glendale, AZ., in what turned out to be the last Spring Training Game before the everything would be canceled because of COVID-19. We went to Phoenix and saw the Milwaukee Brewers remodeled facility in Maryvale. I drove Candy to Phoenix Municipal Stadium which used to be the Spring Training Home of the Oakland A’s.

Thanks to my desire to take a red-eye flight, Candy and I came back on a less crowded flight from Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale, that reduced risk of obtaining risks of getting COVID-19.

We then proceeded to stock up on supplies and toilet paper, which nowadays seems impossible to get.

As reality sets in and every sporting event gets cancelled on the planet, in addition to many businesses closing such as restaurants, will this become the next Great Depression? We hope not.

Who would have thought about dealing with Social Distancing?

Working from home is something I’ve never dealt with, but now wearing a t-shirt and sweat pants is certainly a better option than being stuck in the hospital fighting for my life.

What is my new routine these days? Watching sports shows to find content for my network, being uplifted by the generosity of many people and companies in and out of sports that are giving back to help the less fortunate, in addition to watching News Shows to find updates on the Spreading of COVID-19. I Need to know the numbers as it could be influential of future travel plans.

Being a Florida Resident, we’re used to preparing for Hurricanes and loading up on supplies. COVID-19 brings out the analogies, We’re all in the same boat and this is a world wide dilemma. Also, misery loves company. Now with the power of prayer, we can only hope that COVID-19 comes up with some medications so we can hope to see normalcy at some point.

Unlike Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Tornados, you can rebuild areas in time. But COVID-19 is an enemy we can’t see and that’s the most frustrating aspect of this unprecedented pandemic crisis.

We can only hope the death toll is limited.

Meanwhile, I pray for everyone that they’re safe and healthy and follow all the warning in Regular and Social Media and don’t self destruct. In Fort Lauderdale during Spring Break, several students came down here and now have COVID-19.

For the time being, we just have to wait and aside from going to the stores to buy food, it’s imperative that we master Social Distancing!

Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com. He’s the Owner of the South Florida Tribune and it’s Broadcasting Network. He’s also a writer for the Detroit Monitor.