ESPN Ombudsman SOLOMON Comments On Coverage Of SAINTS, OWENS

(From Sports Business Daily)

In his THIRD CONTRIBUTION as ESPN Ombudsman, GEORGE SOLOMON addressed the network's coverage of HURRICANE KATRINA's effects on NEW ORLEANS' two pro sports franchises.

Solomon -- "Stories about where THE SAINTS and HORNETS would play
in the coming months were dutifully reported, but the possibility of
THE SAINTS never returning to NEW ORLEANS is an angle WORTHY OF TOUGHER QUESTIONS of the NFL."

Solomon wrote the reporting on EAGLES Wide Receiver TERRELL OWENS' contract dispute by SAL PAOLANTONIO "was first-rate –- intelligent and dogged -– as was the work by THE PRODUCTION TEAM."

But Solomon added, "Someone in BRISTOL during (the week OWENS
was suspended from TRAINING CAMP) might have said, 'Whoa, we're four weeks from the first regular-season game and OWENS and his agent, DREW ROSENHAUS, might be using us and the rest of the media to make their case.'"

Solomon wrote some viewers objected to a perceived "DOUBLE STANDARD by the media, ESPN included, in its coverage of athletes 'ACCUSED' of using performance-enhancing drugs."

Some viewers said that LANCE ARMSTRONG gets "MORE OBJECTIVE TREATMENT" while others, like GIANTS Left Fielder BARRY BONDS,
"ARE PLACED IN A MORE DEFENSIVE POSITION OF HAVING TO PROVE INNOCENCE."

Solomon added that he hopes ESPN "FINDS A BETTER WAY TO CORRECT MISTAKES" and that NOT ENOUGH COVERAGE was given to either OLN acquiring CABLE RIGHTS TO THE NHL or ESPN Executive
Vice President/Programming and Production MARK SHAPIRO LEAVING THE NETWORK.

ESPN Senior Vice President and Director of News and Studio Production VINCE DORIA -- "Because we're in the middle of these stories, it's tough to be OBJECTIVE. So we report the news and avoid the commentary."

Solomon noted the decision to PROHIBIT STAFF MEMBERS from voting in the AP COLLEGE FOOTBALL POOL or THE HARRIS INTERACTIVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL POOL "was smart."