On a special edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, host T.J. Rives, Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch and contributor Adam Gostomelsky discuss the shocking death of soccer journalist Grant Wahl that broke Friday night. Wahl, an outspoken critic of FIFA holding the World Cup in Qatar, died suddenly while covering the quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Topics of discussion include the allegation by Wahl’s brother that foul play was involved; Wahl’s criticism of the Qatar World Cup and his prior detainment for wearing a shirt in support of gay rights; Wahl’s impact on the growth of soccer in the U.S.; and expectations for how Wahl’s death will be covered by Fox Sports on their subsequent World Cup broadcasts Saturday and beyond — and how other media outlets will handle both the tragedy and controversy.
This week’s regularly scheduled SMW podcast is embedded below and includes the usual ratings discussions, plus best wishes for Atlanta Hawks play-by-play voice Bob Rathbun, on the mend after an on-air health issue.
Elsewhere on the SMW podcast network this week, the “Announcer Schedules Podcast” covered the latest news in the industry, including the departure of ESPN’s Chris Fallica to FOX. The “Tell Me A Story I Don’t Know” podcast with George Ofman is off for the holidays, with this week’s episode consisting of a “best of” featuring some of the season’s best guests.
