2300 Thoughts

The New York Times <3’s Villains

The New York Times printed a “puff piece” interview based article on recent You Tube villain Elizabeth Lambert. Lambert made several aggressive tackles and just downright violent plays in a NCAA Women’s soccer match versus Brigham Young University on November 5, a semi final game in the Western Athletic Conference Championship.

Lamberts “fame” rose as clips from the game reached ESPN’s Sports Center meriting commentary from former United States Women’s World Cup Champion team Captain Julie Foudy. The clips were then seen thousands of times on You Tube, professional and personal blogs, and via several other social media outlets.

In a previous post I thought that New Mexico would need to get some good public relations flowing to try to salvage some of their once good reputation. Well I am happy to say that New Mexico’s public relations professionals did not disappoint me. They have already been out in full force trying to manage the crisis situation they have been handed.

On November 18, there was an article about the incident in the New York Times. Lambert was interviewed, and painted to be an angel that was provoked and is being attacked and treated terribly since the incident all at no fault of her own. All the blame for her actions was nicely diverted to other players on both teams, the referee, and her coach.

The article is clearly polarized starkly in favor of Lambert, and her apparent cause. I definitely think this is the first of many public relations moves by New Mexico. Getting an article in the New York Times is a great start. They certainly still have a long way to go to smooth Lambert’s actions over in the soccer community. Just reading the comments will tell you that.

I think this type of article might help to get some of the people that just saw the video to take pity on Lambert, but not the soccer community, especially not soccer players. Someone that has been in games just as intense and just as important will not allow her to use a “get out of jail free card” on this one. Her actions were pretty fierce. They have a long road ahead to reach their desired public.

I think New Mexico really missed the mark with this piece. I think their most important public is soccer players/fans and I think this article will only make them more upset; as illustrated by the comments and blogs already commenting on this article published by the New York Times. It will be interesting to see what New Mexico’s next move is.