Once Again, Boston Globe Less Than Fenway Frank

March 12, 2014

As the hardreading staff has previously noted (here too), the Boston Globe has been pretty loosey-goosey in meeting its disclosure responsibilities about John Henry’s dual ownership of the Globe and the Boston Red Sox.

And today the Globeniks extended their slump.

Red Sox to open Lansdowne hot dog stand

Some Fenway fans apparently have insatiable appetites — but not necessarily for baseball.

Hoping to capitalize on Red Sox Nation’s hunger for Fenway Franks, the organization plans to start selling the famous hot dogs outside the ballpark, at a chin041313fenway_biz8Lansdowne Street concession stand. Even when a game isn’t on the menu.

Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday gave unanimous approval for the stand, which will also serve other food and nonalcoholic beverages. The opening date and hours of operation have not been set, but the Red Sox plan to have it up and running this season, said spokeswoman Zineb Curran.

 

And etc. But nowhere does the piece acknowledge that John Henry’s newspaper is reporting on John Henry’s corporate interests.

Seriously?

Hey, Boston Globe Publisher Henry:  Hasn’t anyone told you that it could be bad for business if people start viewing your paper as the Fenway Gazette & Papi?

We think you know the answer to that.

 

1 Comment | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider

Herald More Frank Than Globe About Fenway Food Expansion

February 23, 2014

Saturday’s local dailies present a nifty case study for those who worry that John Henry’s purchase of the Boston Globe will crimp the paper’s coverage of their kissing’ cousin Red Sox.

From yesterday’s Boston Herald:

Fenway franks to go?

Sox seek OK to sell food during non-ballpark hours

It appears Red Sox Nation can’t get enough of Fenway franks.040912fenwaynl19

The team is seeking city approval for a takeout concession on Lansdowne Street, near Gate C, that would be open during non-ballpark hours . . .

The team’s takeout concept is the latest in a string of non-baseball game money-makers designed to make the most of America’s oldest ballpark, which Red Sox owner John Henry this week said has a shelf life of another 30 years.

 

Far longer (we think) than the shelf life of a Fenway Frank. Not to get technical about it.

Speaking of which, from Saturday’s Boston Globe:

Nothing, as of 1:39 Sunday morning.

But the hardreading staff will wait to pass judgment until the Boston Sunday Globe is published, because of this (via the redoubtable Dan Kennedy’s Media Nation):

  • Boston Globe: Weekdays, 245,572 . . . Sundays, 382,452
  • Boston Herald: Weekdays, 95,929 . . .  Sundays, 73,043

A piece in the Sunday Globe would get 50% more exposure than a Saturday piece, and roughly four times the circulation of Saturday’s Herald.

So . . . [snooze graf goes here]

At 11:45 Sunday morning we check out the Globe and . . . nothing.

Not good, Globeniks.

The concern people have about Henry’s Globe ownership is not so much whether Dan Shaughnessy will keep poking him with a stick, but whether the stately local broadsheet will be as vigilant about off-field matters such as these (also from the Herald):

[I]n December, the team won city approval to extend alcohol sales during baseball games and other events and to sell liquor on Yawkey Way.

The request to increase Fenway alcohol sales came less than three months after the Red Sox reached a controversial $7.3 million deal with the Boston Redevelopment Authority for an easement to shut down part of Yawkey Way for concessions during games and other events.

 

John Henry isn’t just a ballclub owner. He’s a real estate/media/financial mogul. The Globe needs to treat him as such.

 

1 Comment | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Campaign Outsider