Arizona Republic Response to Questions on Coyotes Road Coverage

by Carl Putnam on Nov 20, 2011 2:45 PM MST

In the last week or so the issue of the local newspaper not sending a reporter on the road to cover the Coyotes came up again. Several people, including myself, emailed The Arizona Republic about the issue. Below is the response from I received from the paper's sports editor, Mark Faller.

This will answer several e-mails I’ve received about our lack of staff road coverage for the Phoenix Coyotes.

We value the Coyotes and know they have loyal fans. But we have to make tough decisions about how best to use our resources to cover a myriad of sports in a crowded sports marketplace. At this time our policy with the Coyotes remains the same – we don’t expect to be able to travel with them. As the end of the regular season nears, and they appear headed toward the playoffs, then we will re-evaluate.

We are taking steps to minimize the impact of this decision by supplementing wire content with occasional staff stories on off days while the team is away – for example, reaching out to coaches and players on the phone when warranted.

Some have suggested that since the NBA is in lockout, we should reallocate travel money normally used on the Suns. That’s not relevant because we have to be prepared to react in case some form of a season still takes place. Also, we face new expenses in 2012, such as the Summer Olympics, that have to be considered.

Thanks for taking the time to share your concerns.

Mark Faller

Sports editor

The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com

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Perhaps during a playoff run?

Perhaps folding would be a better idea. The newspaper, not the hockey team. Hell, I would potty train a dog on that shitty tag.

by Larry_in_PHX on Nov 20, 2011 3:00 PM MST via mobile reply actions

I changed my mind

I wouldn’t even potty train a dog on that trash they call journalism.

by Larry_in_PHX on Nov 20, 2011 3:01 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Today’s article in the Sunday paper from the Buffalo game was just a regurgitated Associated Press article.

The Coyotes are the red-headed stepchild of the Phoenix media.

My name is Elmer J. Fudd, millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht.

by ChadInGlendale on Nov 20, 2011 4:58 PM MST reply actions

Cheap explanation...

The Suns have already lost 22 games so far this season (plus 7 pre-season games)…the Coyotes have played 9 road games…so what was that about a crowded sports marketplace??? As for budgeting for the 2012 Olympics, shouldn’t that cost have already been figured out? I realize you’re just a newspaper that nobody reads anymore, but the excuse of not covering a local team is pathetic! Only Fox Sports AZ’s tv coverage is worse that you guys at the paper.

by Bill Buttlicker on Nov 20, 2011 5:48 PM MST reply actions

Seriously?

I will simply cancel my subscription to this garbage newspaper. Our team deserves better than this. What a shameful disgrace to the valley.

by jonnoel1 on Nov 20, 2011 7:45 PM MST reply actions

Seems like BS to me

No NBA season to speak of at the moment, they could send someone with the team easy.

Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club

by AcucracK on Nov 20, 2011 9:10 PM MST reply actions

it is BS but…..

there are other new sources in AZ that don’t even cover the Coyotes. I which we had more hockey coverage in general. And the premise that they are saving it for the eventual return of the NBA is silly sense the they could have used what they they would have on suns already and still keep some in reserve if they do actually have a season (which is about as good as Balsille getting a hockey team).

by GalenYote on Nov 21, 2011 12:47 PM MST reply actions

As far as printed coverage, the AZ Republic is the biggest paper in town which is why it’s first on the list. I agree the news coverage could be better than a mention or flash of a score besides the playoffs. Mark’s comment about re-evaluating when they near the end of the season & playoffs makes me want to slap the bitch.

One of the main reasons I listen to 93.3 is because the morning DJ has Adrian Aucoin on every Wed, gives away tickets regularly & is a great hockey fan. Need to get the team on more than radio interviews to make it work again though.

My name is Elmer J. Fudd, millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht.

by ChadInGlendale on Nov 21, 2011 2:26 PM MST up reply actions

To paraphrase...

Look, we understand that there’s no basketball but we’re wiping our ass every morning and hoping for the best. We know there’s no baseball but you never know when the Diamondbacks might make a huge blockbuster deal with a 40-year-old veteran for $2MM – we have to anticipate these things. We know the football team we cover hardly resembles a football team…

But, well, fuck it… just come get us when it’s the playoffs. We don’t have time to explain what the hell it is that we’re doing with ourselves.

Wear your own fur.

by Marc Fournier on Nov 22, 2011 6:05 PM MST reply actions

This makes me glad that I spent a year reading that rag in 1998, then canceled the subscription and I have never looked back.

This paper rivals some small community papers in journalistic integrity and quality. And you can get the community papers for a quarter.

It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.

Make its ass quit -TWEsq, concerning my fight against Multiple Sclerosis

by AlabamaJammer on Nov 27, 2011 6:17 AM MST reply actions

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Coyotes Schedule

Next 5 Games

Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Tue 05/22	6:00 PM MST
@ Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Thu 05/24	TBA
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Sat 05/26	TBA

Last 5 Games

@ Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Sun 05/20	W 2 - 0
@ Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Thu 05/17	L 1 - 2
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Tue 05/15	L 0 - 4
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Sun 05/13	L 2 - 4
Nashville On the Forecheck	Fri 05/11	TBA