Deadspin
It shouldn't be difficult to spot any ESPN employees walking down the street tomorrow: Look for the guy/lady with the Arena Football shirt and that "sweet God someone please shoot me" look on their face.
According to a post at Jim Romenesko's Media News, tomorrow is Arena Football T-shirt Day in Bristol! From a memo sent by our pal John Skipper last week:
ARENA FOOTBALL DAY
Wednesday, May 16
11:30am - 1:30p.m.
Connecticut based employees will be receiving Arena Football team t-shirts compliments of Russell Athletic. If you are comfortable, please wear it to work on Wednesday, May 16th, as a symbol of welcome to our Arena Football guests.
* Tailgate party at the Bristol cafeteria compliments of the Arena Football League.
* Commissioner David Baker, AFL Staff, & Ownership, as well as "Special Guests" will be in attendance.
* Hamburgers and Hotdogs will be served.
The person who sent Romenesko the memo — hey, those are supposed to go to us! — writes "as a member of the newsroom, I find it increasingly difficult to square such promotional stunts with my journalistic ethics and principles. We're supposed to objectively cover the AFL, and yet we're being asked to wear an AFL t-shirt to show our support when the league's bosses walk through the newsroom?" Which is hilarious, considering this person must have just discovered he/she works for ESPN.
Seriously, though, there will be hamburgers and hotdogs.
Arena Football Day [Poynter]
Comments
Nice
I have never had the first post before...I panicked.
But only one hamburger OR hotdog, and only if you have a coupon.
the version of the memo i got said the event was being catered by Boston Market
Can I get my hamburger or hot dog along at the same time as my free Coke?
Bill Lundburg approves of this corporate-sanctioned apparel day. Just like Hawaiian shirt day. Yeaaahhhh...
@lieutenant winslow: Harold Reynolds approves
deadspin employees have to wear snorg tees the day Alice shows up.
Over/under on how many employees will state that they were "uncomfortable" wearing such attire in a professional setting just to get out of it: all of them.
Unless they like their jobs, probably.
So if I'm not comfortable can I walk around in my wifebeater? shirtless?
The hot dogs will be distributed by Sean Salisbury.
Wil Jon Bon Jovi be hostings sportscenter than night?
Can't wait for the new Sean Salisbury ditty, "Dick in a Bun".
maybe i'm just lame, but can somebody tell me what will's headline means, particularly the "twinkies" bit? all i can think of are two pejoratives related to asians or homosexuals.
shit
Pam Ward will not only wear the shirt, she's cutting the sleeves off to show off the guns.
If you are comfortable, please wear it to work on Wednesday, May 16th
If you're not, pack your shit and get out.
I heard they are also giving away free ESPN Mobile to the first 500 thousand in attendance.
You can actually buy AFL jersey's? You got to be shitting me.
Hmmm... what special promotion will ESPN subject its employees to when the honor Bonds for breaking the home run record?
@The Fans Attic: Twinkies being slang for twins/people who dress alike.
@ArmansCopyOfSwank: Barbaro Maker's Mark
Before we build the pyramid, isnt this just another reason why networks shouldnt own teams/franchises. Cablevision comes to mind. Who cares about the AFL? I care about the NHL, but since WWL dont own it, I dont get to see it til 1152 on on sportscenter
@The Fans Attic: Perhaps Will means everyone will be twins tomorrow?
@TheStarterWife: You'll get nothing and like it!
That's so cute. Someone at ESPN thinks they have journalistic ethics.
Ketchup and mustard will be provided. Limit one packet per employee.
The hamburgers are only free if you don't want cheese, however.
Also, in the spirit of the festivities, Mark Schlereth will check Rachel Bonner over the boards and act like he's never been there before.
Can't wait until Bristol makes them do the same thing for the WBNA. Then Competitive Cheerleading.
Will the ombudswomen be wearing hers?
Will Awful Announcing be giving ESPN employees "Free Harold Reynolds" tees for this day?
I'd love to see the havoc caused by THAT on dress down day.
The other day I caught a bit of some douche on ESPN Radio talking about how amazing it is that the Dale Jr. story has become the sports story of the week (or some other such nonsense). His basis for this claim? It's everywhere!
Apparently he thinks that because he kept seeing the story all over SportsCenter and ESPNews that people really care.
Fuck their marketing right up the ass.
@The Fans Attic: Your hate speech will not be tolerated. Come up with a sincere apology or you will be suspended as a Deadspin commenter for 30 days.
@ArmansCopyOfSwank: thanks. although, it is the little debbie snacks that came in the twin packs.
@GlenAndersonLikesBoys: yea, but they're a bit smaller than regular ones. and no one notices you when you wear it...
Fuck their marketing right up the ass.
That happened to Drew and it left a stain on his towel.
Unfortunately for the mole, leaks to the underground result in execution. Tell the J-schoolers you did it for them!
Of course, this banquet is in lieu of a May paycheck.
@Unsilent Majority: "Fuck their marketing right up the ass." Now that's a promotional stunt everyone can get behind.
So, you're saying a fortuitously timed comet strike could rid us of both Bristol AND the corporate head of the AFL beast tomorrow?
Are you listening, God?
Special Guests=Indignation and Indifference
@The Fans Attic: Huh. You learn something new every day.
@swing4:
Give the guy a break - He's worn out after taking out Falwell today.
@Unsilent Majority:
I'm not a NASCAR guy, but isn't this Dale thing on a par with Gretzky getting traded? I really that it was that a big deal.
(not that ESPN doesn't make it a bigger deal)
"We were led to believe there would be punch and pie."
I would love to see this...Pam Ward all giddy, eating a hot dog with no bun with her Nashville Kats t-shirt stretched over her perky, taught breasts. MMMMMM.
Will the Gin Blossoms be playing?
@Unsilent Majority: It was Eric Kuselias (sp?) and he just also happens to be the host of ESPN's Nascar Now.
So, yeah, no idea how he keeps hearing about that Dale Jr.
@Unsilent Majority: Whether you care about NASCAR or not, when the biggest star in the sport with the second-highest TV ratings becomes a free agent, it's kind of a big deal.
@BigTDog: Who?
Rather Pam Ward than John Kruk in a tight t-shirt over taut breasts...