Has Jeff O'Neill from TSN always been a jerk?
- Thread starter AnonoJet
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roccerfeller
jets bromantic
The problem is, his comment (or at least part of it) was directed specifically at the city, therefore making it (at least partially) a "city" topic. If people didn't make those kinds of comments, then this thread would not exist and we'd be all in "kumbaya" mode right now
Fair enough, but the "city vs city" backlash emerging in this thread its still arguably creating an unnecessary and avoidable tangent. I agree he made some stupid stupid remarks.
Even with a negative opinion, why can't someone in his position back it up or give reasons why he thinks X or Y is a good move or good idea. He just spoke through emotions and offended people simply due to where they choose to live. I haven't met anyone who doesn't have any issue with any city. There's always an opinion, good or bad, with any city. And factually, every city has its share of good and bad, and its understandable why some players wouldn't want to come to Winnipeg...people are people and have opinions...but that doesn't mean every player would be turned off by the city. Some players would be attracted to the city and its fanbase. Some players would be afraid to play in any Canadian city including and especially Toronto.
The big thing is he clearly doesn't know anything about the Jets. I mean he hasn't even bothered to basically educate himself on the team, and that supports evidence of him doing a bad job. He can have his opinion even if its negative but at least give it some weight and some reasonable points. What immediately struck out to me was he seemingly doesn't even realize the core of our team is already locked up in long term deals. And the philosophy behind Chevy and TNSE is to attract players who want to be in Winnipeg and want to play in front of Jets fans. Him saying "no one wants to play in Winnipeg" is demonstrating his own stupidity on the subject.
True enough. In the end, it's O'Neill that made himself look like a jerk.
I've said my piece on what I think is something endemic to the Toronto media. I've vented, that's the last I'll speak of it.
I hope that people from Toronto don't see this as a shot at their city or the people that live there. C'mon, YWGinYYZ is one of my favourite people on this site.
Perhaps everyone else was enjoying their New Years Eve day off work and he happened to be the only guy available for commentary
Exactly. This is also my biggest beef with his comments. He didn't analyze a single thing with what I would consider a high ability.
I understand what you are saying, and agree with you on most of it. I've lived in another very arrogant province (the one you are living in, and the city as well) so I've dealt with this "Winnipeg hate" in another province for 12 years. At first I was like you; very diplomatic about it. I tried to have as much patience with people as I could.
But for the few that it worked on, there were many MANY more that it did not. I consider myself a very well traveled person in the country. And I can say without a shadow of a doubt that a very, extremely large segment of our country has a very negative view of us as a city, and I'm even going to say that it is bordering on hate. Why? Mostly for things that they have "heard', which is uniformed and laughable. One place that I haven't been to is Iqaluit. How could I possibly slam it in any way shape or form? Simple answer; I can't. How can I put down a place or it's people if I've never even been there? I have no right to. Let me at least visit a place in order to allow myself to make an informed opinion about it. I have no right to do it otherwise.
I've lived in the three largest cities in Alberta for 12 years. I have a very good and informed opinion of the people there. I won't go into my complete rant about it, but I'll just say that they have a very low POV regarding us (and I know that you know this because you've expressed your frustration on this issue as well on this and other forums as well). I've spent a decent chunk of my life in other provinces as well (my work literally takes me almost anywhere at anytime), for both work and pleasure, talking with people from all walks of life, and experiencing their local media. I'll just say that the majority of people that I have come into contact with have very little regard for anything in Manitoba, no matter how much you try to show them the light.
Before living or travelling anywhere else, I know nothing of this issue, and I do feel it is an issue. I lived in my bubble here at home in our city, ignorant to the rest of the country. I got out, explored, live "abroad" and have learned. But now I'm back home where I belong and will continue to speak out against other people's ignorance towards us; there is no changing that. I've also now considered going into local politics to do my part in helping our city reach it's full potential. I care about my city and want to show all the haters out there just how wrong and foolish they are. That gives me satisfaction.
Anyways, it's late, I'm sleeping and quite honestly, tired of talking about this. I hope this thread get locked very soon. We seem to have enough to ***** about in terms of our team which we all care about and want to see improve.
Night all and end rant.
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I would think that he won't be on TSN national tv anytime again soon. Certainly no time that Winnipeg is playing. Unless he's apologizing. He'll be a 1050 radio guy only I expect. With their only hockey being regional broadcasts next it makes bad business to piss off one of those regions. I would imagine that Chipman knows what was said on air and is making his opinion heard at head office.
Avocado Cool Ranch
boom shakalaka
People sure get offended easily. I don't get why some are being uptight on the comments about Toronto having a superiority complex. Just a matter of opinion and their experiences, not some sort of city bashing that people are making it out to be. Not surprised that people see Winnipeg as an undesirable place to be, heck I even know many who can't wait to leave but pretty unprofessional of O'Neill to comment on it for no reason on national TV, making it seem like a Jab at the city. That being said, I could care less about his comment, he is entitled to his opinion and I'll just have to disagree with it.
- Mar 10, 2010
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I watched the game on PVR last night and saw the segment live so my new fresh take.
O'Neill had one of those moments where he said something he thinks and believes that shouldn't have left his Lips. The moment lacked the discipline nessesary for his job. The twitter comments after were more troubling because it was a chance to retract and appologize for his factual inaccuracies, or at a minimu remain silent, yet he doubled down and actually came across worse. Not sure Jeff is a good fit for TSN. The part that suprises me is his lack of awareness of the audience he was talking to, one has to know that allot of people from Winnipeg would be tuned into the game no?
The city on city stuff I will leave alone for my money this is all on O'Neill and TSN.
O'Neill had one of those moments where he said something he thinks and believes that shouldn't have left his Lips. The moment lacked the discipline nessesary for his job. The twitter comments after were more troubling because it was a chance to retract and appologize for his factual inaccuracies, or at a minimu remain silent, yet he doubled down and actually came across worse. Not sure Jeff is a good fit for TSN. The part that suprises me is his lack of awareness of the audience he was talking to, one has to know that allot of people from Winnipeg would be tuned into the game no?
The city on city stuff I will leave alone for my money this is all on O'Neill and TSN.
tbcwpg
Moderator
- Jan 25, 2011
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Hollywood3
Bison/Jet/Moose Fan
- May 12, 2007
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Did anybody jump on O'Neill for what he said? No.
Has anybody from TSN commented to contradict him? No.
[mod]
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Hollywood3
Bison/Jet/Moose Fan
- May 12, 2007
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See my point above. Media groups in Toronto see nothing wrong with anti-western bigotry.
- Mar 10, 2010
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LadyJet26
LETS GO BLUE!!!!!
Their big wigs are in Sweden for the WJs. Canucks fans won't like that he called Kesler a depth player last night either. Guy knows nothing about teams outside of the Leafs and I'd be surprised if he knows anything about them too.
I don't have a problem with what O'Niell said to be honest. Whether you believe it is true or not, the perception that Winnipeg is not desirable definitely exists in Canada and in the NHL culture. Many of us know that Winnipeg is a fine place to live but people who haven't lived in Winnipeg generally have no desire to find out what it's like. I don't know how anyone could argue. Sucks when someone slams your city but whatever.
Also, what would make anyone think TSN would have a problem with this comment? Don Cherry has earned CBC decades of ratings related profits for saying strong things that are usually not nice for everyone to hear but have an element if truth to them.
Also, what would make anyone think TSN would have a problem with this comment? Don Cherry has earned CBC decades of ratings related profits for saying strong things that are usually not nice for everyone to hear but have an element if truth to them.
Joe Hallenback
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- Mar 4, 2005
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LadyJet26
LETS GO BLUE!!!!!
My biggest issue is he hasn't done his research as a broadcaster. No one wants to sign in Winnipeg long term? Our entire core is signed long term. Players will come because of the reputation of the organization as first class. The guys on the team like playing here.
Wolf357
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- Jul 16, 2011
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I'm guessing that most if not all TSN Execs were off for New Years Day so today would be the first time they would be receiving any complaints. Perhaps many also take today off and by Monday it will all have blow over....ignore it and it will go away type of attitude.
cheswick
Non-registered User
I don't understand what all the outrage is about. So Jeff O'Neil doesn't think Winnipeg is the most desirable location to play. Not sure what the big insult is. It's the smallest and coldest city in the NHL. He's not exactly breaking new ground here. Are there other factors? Ofcourse there are, but its ridiculous to think that Winnipeg has as good a chance as any other team to attract free agents. I didn't see the segment but if he said No free agent would sign here, he's wrong. But if his point is that Winnipeg has a harder time signing free agents than a number of other markets, he's correct.
- Mar 10, 2010
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Don is a ratings machine which has kept him alive and he has a "base" that he appeals to and love him or hate him his peeps tune in to watch. I think Jeff is proving he has Don's ability to offend I am just not sure he has the appeal part down yet and he might want to hurry up on that part?
- Mar 10, 2010
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That is not the problem though cheswick, the issue is Jeff said "none" of the young guys will stay and since we have already been able to tie up our young talent to long term deals his statement is factually inaccurate.
You probably should have watched it before commenting. I don't think he had a point at all, actually. He just said that nobody wants to stay in Winnipeg and nobody wants to sign in Winnipeg.
Jeff ONeill is a moron. This is a meme we will simply have to tolerate until people catch up to what is actually happening with this organization and city. We have already proven several times that we can and do attract players.
I'd rather have players come to Winnipeg cause of hockey: (like the Org, the team, the fans) than the cities climate or amenities. Which type of player do you think will be a more motivated player on the ice?
True North had already built a good rep with the players, & it has and will continue to reap the benefits of it.
As for the whole Toronto thing? I hate the Leafs but love Toronto. Have always been treated very well there ( besides the traffic )
I'd rather have players come to Winnipeg cause of hockey: (like the Org, the team, the fans) than the cities climate or amenities. Which type of player do you think will be a more motivated player on the ice?
True North had already built a good rep with the players, & it has and will continue to reap the benefits of it.
As for the whole Toronto thing? I hate the Leafs but love Toronto. Have always been treated very well there ( besides the traffic
)
- Nov 24, 2006
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Not sure why the city of Toronto is getting bashed at all in this thread. Ironic, no? Nothing wrong with Toronto.
For those, that are truly upset & take issue for what Jeff O'Neill said, you have every right to make a formal complaint online via the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council site.
http://cbsc.ca/english/complaint/complaint-form.php?
As per the site....
Your Concerns Are Important
If you see or hear something that concerns you, this is what you should do:
1. Write down the following information.
the name, date and time of the program
the name or call letters of the broadcaster
a short summary of what concerned you
2. Let us know.
Send us the details within 28 days of the date of broadcast. We will investigate your complaint further.
The choice is yours.
http://cbsc.ca/english/complaint/complaint-form.php?
As per the site....
Your Concerns Are Important
If you see or hear something that concerns you, this is what you should do:
1. Write down the following information.
the name, date and time of the program
the name or call letters of the broadcaster
a short summary of what concerned you
2. Let us know.
Send us the details within 28 days of the date of broadcast. We will investigate your complaint further.
The choice is yours.
It would have been different if O'Neil said that he himself didn't like Winnipeg, or even if he said that some players he knows don't want to play there. He didn't even say that the Jets would have more trouble than other franchises attracting free agents to sign with them. What he said was that Winnipeg would struggle to have their own good young players sign long-term. The irony is that his ignorance is so fully on display since the Jets just finished locking up all of their young core in the past couple of years. Those facts completely contradict his statement.
He also made the stupid comment that once Trouba develops further it would allow the Jets to move Byfuglien back to RW.
His comments made it clear how clueless he is. I couldn't care less whether or not he is also a Toronto-centric jerk as some have suggested. He lacks knowledge and insight, and should therefore be disqualified from acting as a commentator on NHL broadcasts.
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