I hope you will allow me to express my disgust with the local media for its sensationalistic and negative reaction to the Utah Jazz's performance in the NBA Finals. It is so disappointing to see writers and hear talk show hosts take the easy way out by exploiting the negative. I know that you in the media believe you reflect the opinions of society. I am not convinced. You are definitely shaping the views of this market, accentuating the negative while setting aside the incredible achievements of an underpaid professional team in a small media market. How dare you suggest the team is letting down its fans?
I support all the major Utah college and professional sports teams. I have my favorites, but realizing the size of the media market I live in, I see the value for the state in all or any of them doing well. I am grateful for the growth this state has experienced because I remember when things were not going so well. It was not that long ago.I grew up with this "what have you done for me lately" line from the media here. But since the success of the Jazz seemed to coincide with the growth of our economy, I was lulled into thinking the media had grown up as well. Obviously our local pundits only pay enough attention to their large market counterparts to think they are copying the "show," while missing the substance that allows these people to succeed in larger and more competitive media markets. We have surely witnessed the true colors and lack of skill of our local media this week.
Mark Espenschied
Salt Lake City