Jock gone bad..new trend... or old habit?

You'd have to locked away in a bunker without Internet connection to have not heard about Tiger Woods and his most recent PR crisis turned nightmare.

And Serena Williams just keeps adding up the fines with her potty mouth and poor sportsmanship attitudes.

And, even though I don't watch it myself, the amount of fights on the ice during hockey games has rocketed this year, even in loo of the death of a NHL player last season.

But is this sudden and wide spread "bad behaviour" a new trend athletes follow to get free, if not negitive press, or is it an old habit that has been endulged and accepted over the years by journalist and the PR professionals whose job it is to spin the sordid details or in some cases sweep them under the carpet.

My favourite athletic bad boy is tennis' "SuperBrat", John McEnroe.
The only man who can make smashing a racket on the court famous.lol
British tabloids and papers made McEnroe's performance at Wimbleton infamous, and giving the tennis star a shot of negitive re-enforcement.

Every parent on the planet knows a child who lashes out is seeking attention and negitive attention is still attention...the same can be said for bad press coverage...it's still getting the athletes name in the paper, and a bazillion hits on youtube.

According to an article from MediaPost.com given fans idolitry they welcome fans back into the fold, then the brand they edorse shortly after.

"It's as if there is a formula for an athlete's endorsement recovery based on the individuals status, character, ability and the nature of the crime," said presidetn and CEO of SportsBrandedMedia, John Meindl.

So with fans, journalist and even public relations professionals accepting unacceptable behaviour from athletes it appears the tradition of jocks gone bad will continue if not grow worse.

til next time,

b.sweet