Well, that magical time of year has come around again.
No, I’m not talking about the Super Bowl.
I sure as HELL am not talking about the Pro Bowl.
It’s the reveal of the Barrett Sports Media Top 20 lists — or as Jason Barrett likely calls it, “my own private hell.”
All kidding aside, JB and the professionals he enlists to put these together deserve a ton of credit. It’s a MASSIVE undertaking. I’ve been a part of it before. I can assure you that everyone I know that’s been involved takes it very seriously. No one mails this in. This isn’t something that a committee member types out and e-mails back in within 15 minutes.
I’ve also been fortunate enough to crack the Top 20 for my perceived skills as a Program and Content Director. I’ve always been appreciative and have never shied away from telling everyone that I “made the cut.” Hey, if you can be perceived as the Top 20 in almost any category, that’s a major win and always worth celebrating.
Finally, I’ve had to be the guy whose hosts barge into his office — either elated or apoplectic — about their placing on the list (or lack thereof). That’s always been an interesting experience, to say the least.
Having been on all sides of this since the inception of the BSM Top 20s, I felt the need to send along some helpful pointers to ensure that everyone manages this in a safe and sane manner. Think of this as a companion piece that will guide you through the process of combing through each list.
DON’T PRETEND YOU DON’T CARE
One of the biggest lies that a professional athlete or coach can say is that they pay NO attention to what is said about them in the media. Most of them do. Don’t fall into the same trap; it isn’t becoming of you.
I recall one year when a host of mine made the Top 20, they downplayed it.
“Ah, you know those lists are all bull****,” he said. “I never pay any attention to them.”
One day later, he was complaining about the shows that ranked ahead of him on the list.
It’s human nature to want to know what other people think of them. If the subject of an article just might be YOU, of course you’re going to want to click on it. Don’t be coy. We see the web traffic that these lists get. We KNOW that you’re reading them.
BRAGGING IS NOT A SIN
Fair or not, the people who have been successful in our industry tend to be great self-promoters. So if you made the list, take advantage of the opportunity to put yourself out there.
Take screenshots of your victory and blast it on your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Add it to your resume and LinkedIn pages. If it rubs a few of your colleagues the wrong way, so be it. That’s on them. This is about taking this moment and using it to better your own career. Anyone in your position should be doing the same thing.
Remember, these lists are not popularity contests. The people who voted are seasoned broadcast professionals whose livelihood has primarily been made in successfully evaluating talent. This is the ultimate kind of kudos because the praise is coming from your peers.
A lot of decision makers in our industry read this list. Making it and letting people know that you did is a GOOD thing.
DON’T BE SALTY
Unhappy that you didn’t place higher? Didn’t make the list at all? Don’t agree with where other people may or may not be ranked? Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.
Try to remember that very talented people get snubbed all the time. Go ask the long list of actors and directors who have never won an Academy Award.
Whatever you do, don’t suit up for “Team Petty” by taking your grievances on the air or on social media. The only one that will come out looking bad is you.
If anything, use it as motivation to better yourself. I’m not saying that you should base your entire career success on making a list or walking off with a Marconi. Nor am I saying that our list (or any list) is gospel. What I am saying is that you should use ANY situation where you are overlooked as a tool to improve your situation if you are constructive about it.
It’s easy to go through the hectic day-to-day of our industry without occasionally remembering to hit the proverbial “pause” button. Don’t spend sleepless nights trying to take a self-inventory of where you’re at and what you might be missing. No one can truly read the label from inside the bottle. Seek out feedback from people whose opinions are worth listening to. We all have colleagues, mentors and friends who won’t B.S. us. Lean on them.
Self-improvement is a never-ending process.
Ryan Maguire is a columnist for BSM, and a longtime sports and news radio program director. He has managed KIRO-FM in Seattle, WQAM in Miami, 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, 610 Sports in Kansas City, and 105.7/1250 The Fan in Milwaukee. Presently, Ryan serves as the Executive Producer of Chicago White Sox baseball on ESPN 1000 in Chicago. Originally from Michigan, Ryan still holds out hope that the Detroit Lions will one day deliver a Super Bowl title. He can be reached on Twitter @RMaguire1701.
This has to be satire