Darren Rovell, ESPN is pathetic
ndleo
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I'm not a fan of Jamies Winston, but to slam JSA just because they won't give you private info is a joke.
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Darren Rovell, ESPN's resident boy scout, released an article Tuesday concerning the autograph business, Florida State and Jameis Winston. Here's what you need to know.
Most importantly: There is still no allegation by anyone with knowledge that Winston was paid for anything. Running back Devonta Freeman did a signing, for money, after his career at FSU was over and that is not against any NCAA rules.
There are, however, questions from those in the industry about the authentications done by JSA, authenticator who authenticated thousands of autographs allegedly done by Winston.
Rovell had repeatedly cited JSA's longstanding record as a leader in the autograph authentication industry. But JSA, wouldn't tell Rovell information about who submitted them for authentication, presumably because it is a private business, with private clients, and doesn't work for ESPN.
Now, Rovell is speaking to sources who are questioning the authenticity of the signings. Some of these people may be in competition with JSA and could stand to benefit from JSA's reputation taking a hit. In any case, Rovell's sources indicate that there are major questions about whether these autographs were done by Winston. Rovell does not indicate whether the focus of his story shifted from Winston, to the legitimacy of the authentications because the authenticator would not help him further his look into Winston.
Winston is known to have signed tens of thousands of autographs before and after baseball games during his time in Tallahassee.
The sources did identify the name of the man who they believe provided the signatures, and with whom Freeman allegedly signed. But Rovell didn't find anyone who witnessed Winston sign anything.
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Darren Rovell, ESPN's resident boy scout, released an article Tuesday concerning the autograph business, Florida State and Jameis Winston. Here's what you need to know.
Most importantly: There is still no allegation by anyone with knowledge that Winston was paid for anything. Running back Devonta Freeman did a signing, for money, after his career at FSU was over and that is not against any NCAA rules.
There are, however, questions from those in the industry about the authentications done by JSA, authenticator who authenticated thousands of autographs allegedly done by Winston.
Rovell had repeatedly cited JSA's longstanding record as a leader in the autograph authentication industry. But JSA, wouldn't tell Rovell information about who submitted them for authentication, presumably because it is a private business, with private clients, and doesn't work for ESPN.
Now, Rovell is speaking to sources who are questioning the authenticity of the signings. Some of these people may be in competition with JSA and could stand to benefit from JSA's reputation taking a hit. In any case, Rovell's sources indicate that there are major questions about whether these autographs were done by Winston. Rovell does not indicate whether the focus of his story shifted from Winston, to the legitimacy of the authentications because the authenticator would not help him further his look into Winston.
Winston is known to have signed tens of thousands of autographs before and after baseball games during his time in Tallahassee.
The sources did identify the name of the man who they believe provided the signatures, and with whom Freeman allegedly signed. But Rovell didn't find anyone who witnessed Winston sign anything.
Mike
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Then again, I question whether ESPN should ever be thought of as a bastion of journalism. Remember, this is the company that hasn't shown an NHL highlight in the first 10 minutes of Sportscenter since 2 minutes after the NHL signed with Versus/NBC Sports Network. They're just a profit making machine, not highbrow journalists.
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<< <i>Darren Rovell is terrible. Check out this story; I'm friends with Neill (the guy being interviewed), and we couldn't believe it when this happened. Contacting the Department Chair? WTF? >>
Who is PFTCommenter? Is he supposed to be a writer? If he is, he needs to go back to school and learn basic English.
James
<< <i>
<< <i>Darren Rovell is terrible. Check out this story; I'm friends with Neill (the guy being interviewed), and we couldn't believe it when this happened. Contacting the Department Chair? WTF? >>
Who is PFTCommenter? Is he supposed to be a writer? If he is, he needs to go back to school and learn basic English.
James >>
PFTCommentator is a satirist. His writing is intended to imitate the semi-literate ramblings you find on many blogs/message boards.
<< <i>Darren Rovell is terrible. Check out this story; I'm friends with Neill (the guy being interviewed), and we couldn't believe it when this happened. Contacting the Department Chair? WTF? >>
It's pretty funny that this is documented in Rovell's Wikipedia page as well.
<< <i>Darren Rovell is terrible. Check out this story; I'm friends with Neill (the guy being interviewed), and we couldn't believe it when this happened. Contacting the Department Chair? WTF? >>
I couldn't follow this at all.
This follow-up article by Rovelle (ESPN) is interesting: PSA Unwilling to Validate Signatures
<< <i>Darren Rovell is terrible. Check out this story; I'm friends with Neill (the guy being interviewed), and we couldn't believe it when this happened. Contacting the Department Chair? WTF? >>
After reading this story I find that a quote from Billy Madison fits in the best here:
Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
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TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
<< <i>
<< <i>Darren Rovell is terrible. Check out this story; I'm friends with Neill (the guy being interviewed), and we couldn't believe it when this happened. Contacting the Department Chair? WTF? >>
I couldn't follow this at all.
This follow-up article by Rovelle (ESPN) is interesting: PSA Unwilling to Validate Signatures >>
I did find that part interesting. If witnessing the signer actually sign the product the new standard for authentication, then the autograph cert business is going to be really small.
<< <i>
<< <i>Darren Rovell is terrible. Check out this story; I'm friends with Neill (the guy being interviewed), and we couldn't believe it when this happened. Contacting the Department Chair? WTF? >>
I couldn't follow this at all.
This follow-up article by Rovelle (ESPN) is interesting: PSA Unwilling to Validate Signatures >>
This 2nd article is written by someone who does not know anything about what PSA and JSA do.
This partial quote from the article "JSA received the items only after an initial authentication firm rejected the job because of concerns about their legitimacy" is extremely misleading. They make you believe that PSA said the autographs were not authentic. It sounds like what actually happened is they brought in PSA to do an In the Presence authentication where PSA witnesses the autographs. They wouldn't allow PSA in the room, so PSA backed out on giving the "in the presence" authentication since they couldn't actually witness it (makes sense). So yes PSA rejected the job because they couldn't view the signing. But it doesn't mean they reviewed the autographs and were concerned about their authenticity.
It sounds like PSA didn't have enough examples of Winston to render an opinion, which is completely different than saying questionable authenticity. So the guys went to JSA who were able to give an opinion on the pieces.
<< <i>After reading this story I find that a quote from Billy Madison fits in the best here:
Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. >>
One of my favorite quotes, no matter how bad I mangle it when re-quoting it, people still remember where it came from.
https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/pdub1819/othersets/6204