Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFootball players temporarily stop working at hookah business
Abstract:
Two members of the Syracuse University football team have stopped working at their hookah bar business until football season is over, said manager Courtney Burton.
Freshman Mikhail Marinovich and senior Niko Rechul opened Hollywood Hookah, a smoking lounge, on Marshall Street two weeks ago....
- Displaying 1 - 12 of 12
Jane
posted 11/21/08 @ 8:52 AM EST
Question: Where was the athletic department before this article? Were they unaware that two of their football players were working on opening their own business?? Perhpas there has to be a little more communication within Athletic communications?
Or, were they unaware and did not expect the negative responses? Did they think it would be okay for two of their football players to own a Hookah bar?
Or, were they unaware and did not expect the negative responses? Did they think it would be okay for two of their football players to own a Hookah bar?
Kevin Smith
posted 11/21/08 @ 10:19 AM EST
I'm no lawyer (or law student), but I'm pretty sure that the DO had every right to publish that photo. That cease-and-desist letter had no basis in law or fact, I bet.
Annabelle
posted 11/21/08 @ 10:35 AM EST
How did two football players have time to open up a business? When I went to SU, I barely had enough time to finish my class work, much less start my own business and participate in athletics.
George Peters
posted 11/21/08 @ 10:39 AM EST
I remember seeing their photo and thinking to myself, "Man, it looks like someone is forcing these guys to take this picture against their will. I knew the DO was EVIL!" Please.
And is the NCAA going to sue the student paper for printing a photo? Can't wait to hear someone from the NCAA try to explain that one on SportsCenter. But honestly, it's probably the only way for our football program to get mentioned on SportsCenter anymore...
Although, to the NCAA's point, the article did read like a two page advertisement of their place...
And is the NCAA going to sue the student paper for printing a photo? Can't wait to hear someone from the NCAA try to explain that one on SportsCenter. But honestly, it's probably the only way for our football program to get mentioned on SportsCenter anymore...
Although, to the NCAA's point, the article did read like a two page advertisement of their place...
Todd Maisel
posted 11/21/08 @ 2:16 PM EST
Not the NCAA nor Syracuse U has any right to tell a newspaper what they can or can't publish. It is obvious that this was not an advertisement or meant to bring publicity to the establishment. Instead, it is a story about athletes promoting smoking.
I can't imagine any court ruling on the side of NCAA or Syracuse U on this.
If you need help, let the National Press Photographers Association know about it and we might be able to help. Who do these guys think they are? I can't even believe a court would entertain their attempt to censor a newspaper story that clearly does not promote neither the team, NCAA, the university or smoking at the club. Rather it is a story that deserved to be aired.
I can't imagine any court ruling on the side of NCAA or Syracuse U on this.
If you need help, let the National Press Photographers Association know about it and we might be able to help. Who do these guys think they are? I can't even believe a court would entertain their attempt to censor a newspaper story that clearly does not promote neither the team, NCAA, the university or smoking at the club. Rather it is a story that deserved to be aired.
ryan
posted 11/21/08 @ 3:44 PM EST
Originally posted byTodd Maisel
Not the NCAA nor Syracuse U has any right to tell a newspaper what they can or can't publish. It is obvious that this was not an advertisement or meant to bring publicity to the establishment. Instead, it is a story about athletes promoting smoking.
I can't imagine any court ruling on the side of NCAA or Syracuse U on this.
If you need help, let the National Press Photographers Association know about it and we might be able to help. Who do these guys think they are? I can't even believe a court would entertain their attempt to censor a newspaper story that clearly does not promote neither the team, NCAA, the university or smoking at the club. Rather it is a story that deserved to be aired.
The reason SU is taking issue is because NCAA rules dont want businesses linking themselves to athletes, thus using the athletes as a promotional tool and violating their amateur status.
If Colt McCoy, star QB at Texas was shown at the opening of a restaurant on the front page with a big picture of him enjoying a steak people would go there because of they want to eat at the place the star athlete and the restaurant would benefit from his fame, thus violating his amateur status.
It would be the same for this venture where SU Football players are starting a business and are also acting as the face of the company (photo in the DO) The NCAA has issue with this because they do not want the business to profit off their fame. Not saying that these players are famous enough to draw a crowd, but the NCAA is one of the few places who enforce their rules uniformly across the board. I did not get the impression SU was asking them to censor the article, nor do they have to the power to. They are asking them to stop using the names and images of the student athletes in association with the Lounge because the NCAA will look at it as a violation and the student athletes could loose their scholarships, SU could receive sanctions and be restricted from post season play (if we could get there)
These athletes sign compliance agreements every semester saying they understand the conditions of their eligibility. I know because I was an athlete at SU. They should have known their image would be used in promoting (any publicity is good publicity) their lounge.
Im sure the DO can publish all the pictures they want, even run adds for the place with the players faces but it will hurt the program, the players and the school if the NCAA acts.
Sisko24
posted 11/21/08 @ 6:06 PM EST
Originally posted byTodd Maisel
Not the NCAA nor Syracuse U has any right to tell a newspaper what they can or can't publish. It is obvious that this was not an advertisement or meant to bring publicity to the establishment. Instead, it is a story about athletes promoting smoking.
I can't imagine any court ruling on the side of NCAA or Syracuse U on this.
If you need help, let the National Press Photographers Association know about it and we might be able to help. Who do these guys think they are? I can't even believe a court would entertain their attempt to censor a newspaper story that clearly does not promote neither the team, NCAA, the university or smoking at the club. Rather it is a story that deserved to be aired.
What were those two foolish football players thinking? If they signed athletic compliance forms, didn't they realize they were in violation? Or did they think that only applied to someone else, but not them? Unbelievable!
Aaron
posted 11/22/08 @ 2:38 AM EST
I'd wager the C&D letter lets SU Athletics have something to point to should the NCAA have trouble with it. An odd way to go about it, perhaps, but it does cover their bums.
Debra
posted 11/22/08 @ 3:18 AM EST
There's no reason why the media shouldn't be allowed to cover this story.
In these economic times, for two college football players to open a business - especially a hookah bar, one which clearly is accompanied with significant health concerns - is an interesting story, plain and simple.
The Daily Orange operated appropriately in running the first story, and should not be bullied by a measly letter into not reporting what's newsworthy.
In these economic times, for two college football players to open a business - especially a hookah bar, one which clearly is accompanied with significant health concerns - is an interesting story, plain and simple.
The Daily Orange operated appropriately in running the first story, and should not be bullied by a measly letter into not reporting what's newsworthy.
matt
posted 11/22/08 @ 5:05 PM EST
Definitely no legal basis for a cease and desist - its called editorial photography!
Stu Walters
posted 11/22/08 @ 10:12 PM EST
new coach should give these two jokers latrine duty until they quit so the scholarships can go to mainstream kids who want to be in shape, be conditioned to win, have the drive to study + to play -- and demonstrate good judgement.
- Displaying 1 - 12 of 12
Kaylen Thorpe
posted 11/21/08 @ 7:05 AM EST
An endorsement would mean the DO printed something to the effect of "Smoke at Hollywood Hooka"; this has not happened, and these articles are damn well protected!
Just because your athletes screwed up and have made themselves a laughing stock, and bring further bad image to your sports department, doesn't give you the right to pull bullsh*t rules down over the press's right to report!